Power of Government

"Another not unimportant consideration is, that the powers of
the general government will be, and indeed must be, principally
employed upon external objects, such as war, peace, negotiations
with foreign powers, and foreign commerce. In its internal
operations it can touch but few objects, except to introduce
regulations beneficial to the commerce, intercourse, and other
relations, between the states, and to lay taxes for the common
good. The powers of the states, on the other hand, extend to
all objects, which, in the ordinary course of affairs, concern
the lives, and liberties, and property of the people, and the
internal order, improvement, and prosperity of the state."

-- Joseph Story, Supreme Court Justice, 1833 --