I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of society but the people themselves  – Thomas Jefferson

The powers delegated by proposed Constitution to the federal government, are few and defined.  Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite.   – James Madison   Federalist #45

No legislative act, therefore, contrary to the constitution, can be valid. To deny this, would be to affirm … that the representatives of the people are superior to the people themselves      – Alexander Hamilton  Federalist #7

I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small to a degree of it  – Thomas Jefferson