In the new constitution, framed by the delegates from the different states, referred to in the preceding paragraph, it was provided that the ratification thereof by conventions of nine of the thirteen states should be sufficient to authorize it to go into effect as among the states in which it was so adopted. As the Articles of Confederation provided only for their amendment by unanimous consent of the thirteen states, it is apparent that the new constitution was to this extent a revolutionary measure, not authorized by the Articles of Confederation. As a matter of fact one state - Rhode Island - sent no delegates to this convention, and was therefore in no way bound by its proceedings; and neither Rhode Island nor North Carolina ratified until after the federal government authorized by the constitution was actually in operation. Moreover, the Articles of Confederation provided for their change or amendment by the action of the states, - meaning the state legislatures, - whereas the constitution was by action of Congress submitted for ratification in the different states by conventions chosen by the voters, as the legislatures of the different states might provide (Const. Art. VII). The federal government under the constitution was not, therefore, the legal successor to the government under the Articles of Confederation, but supplanted it. So far, however, as the new government was recognized by the states, eleven of whom had ratified before such government was organized, it was as to them legitimate and regular, and it was acquiesced in by the remaining two states when they finally ratified it in the prescribed form.

It is apparent from what has been said as to the method of adopting the federal constitution that it was not a league or a compact among several independent sovereign states, but, on the contrary, a government resting for its authority on the assent of the people of the different states expressed by ratification in conventions of delegates selected by the people. It differed from the government under the Articles of Confederation, therefore, primarily in the source of its authority, and secondarily in the nature of the government authorized, as indicated by the powers delegated to it. This difference is well expressed in the preamble, which is in the following words: "We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the United States of America."

Although the people acted in the different states separately, there is no reason now to question the general proposition that the federal government rests on the authority of the people as a whole, and not on the authority of the states individually. As to the form of government provided, it is significant that its powers are to be exercised with reference to its citizens as individuals, rather than with reference to the states as communities. The revenues of the government are to be raised by taxes on persons and property, not by contributions from the states; the salaries of senators and representatives are to be paid by the United States, and not by the states from which they are chosen; and in general the powers of the government are to be exercised by the making of laws, the enforcement of which is entrusted to a president and a judicial department.