Quote by Thomas Jefferson
The germ of dissolution of our federal government is in the constitution of the federal judiciary; an irresponsible body, working like gravity by night and by day, gaining a little to-day and a little to-morrow, and advancing its noiseless step like a thief, over the field of jurisdiction, until all shall be usurped from the States, and the government of all be consolidated into one.
Summary
This quote suggests that the constitution of the federal judiciary poses a threat to the federal government as it has the potential to gradually exceed its intended authority. The quote argues that the judiciary, operating autonomously and steadily, consistently expands its jurisdiction, ultimately undermining the powers of the individual states and consolidating all governmental control into one entity. The quote uses metaphors such as "working like gravity" and "advancing its noiseless step like a thief" to convey the gradual but steady encroachment of power by the judiciary.