Federal

A term commonly used to express a league or compact between two or more states. In the United States, the central government of the Union is federal. The constitution was adopted "to form a more perfect union" among the states, for the purpose of self-protection, and for the promotion of their mutual happiness.

A term commonly used to express a league or compact between two or more states. In the United States the central government of the Union is federal. The constitution was adopted “to form a more perfect union” among the states, for the purpose of self-protection and for the promotion of their mutual happiness. Freeman’s Hist. Fed. Govt.; Austin, Jurispr. Lect. 6;.see U. S. V. Cruikshank, 92 U. S. 642, 23 L. Ed. 588.

In constitutional law. A term commonly used to express a league or compact between two or more states.

In American law. Belonging to the general government or union of the states. Founded on or organized under the constitution or laws of the United States. The United States has been generally styled, in American political and judicial writings, a "federal government" The tenn has not been imposed by any specific constitutional authority, but only expresses the general sense and opinion upon the nature of the form of government. In recent years, there is observable a disposition to employ the term "national" in speaking of the government of the Union. Neither word settles anything as to the nature or power of the government. "Federal" is somewhat more appropriate if the government is considered a union of the states; "national" Is preferable if the view is adopted that the state governments and the Union are two distinct systems, each established by the people directly, one for local and the other for national purposes. See United States v. Cruikshank, 92 In S. 542, 23 L. Eld. 588; Abbott.

— Federal courts. The courts of the United States. See Courts of the Untted States.

— Federal government. The -system of government administered in a state formed by the union or confederation of several independent or quasi independent states; also the composite state so formed. In strict usage, there is a distinction between a confederation and a federal government. The former term denotes a league or permanent alliance between several states, each of which ls fully sovereign and independent, and each of which retains its full dignity, organization, and sovereignty, though yielding to the central authority a controlling power for a few limited purposes, such as external and diplomatic relations. In this case, the component states are the units, with respect to the confederation, and the central government acts upon them, not upon the individual citizens. In a federal government, on the other hand, the allied states form a union,
— not, indeed, to such an extent as to destroy their separate organization or deprive them of quasi sovereignty with respect to the administration of their purely local concerns, but so that the central power is erected into a true state or nation, possessing sovereignty both external and internal,
—while the administration of national affairs is directed, and its effects felt, not by the separate states deliberating as units, but by the people of nil, in their collective capacity, as citizens of the nation. The distinction is expressed, by the German writers, by the use of the two words " Staatcnbund" and "Bundesstaat;" the former denoting a league or confederation of states, and the latter a federal government, or state formed by means of a league or confederation.

— Federal question. Cases arising under the constitution of the United States, acts of congress, or treaties, and involving their interpretation or application. and of which jurisdiction is given to the federal courts, are commonly described by the legal profession as cases involving a "federal question." In re Sievers (D. Ct) 91 Fed. 372; U. S. v. Douglas, 113 N. C. 190, 18 S. E. 202; Williams v. Bruffy, 102 U. S. 248, 26 Ij. Ed. 135.

Founded upon or formed by a league, treaty, or compact between independent states, — as the government of the United States.

In American law. Belonging to the general government, or union of the states; founded on or organized under the constitution or laws of the United States. Federal qnestion: a question involving the federal constitution, or a law or a treaty of the United States, and a denial or evasion of the authority of the same.

In constitutional law. A term commonly nsed to express a league or compact between two or more states.

In American law. Belonging to the general government or union of the states, Founded on or organized under the conatitution or laws of the United States. The United States has been generally styled, tn American political and judicial writings, a “federal goverument.” The term has not been im. posed by any specific constitutional authority, but ouly expresses the general sense and opinion upor the nature of the form of goverument. In recem years, there is observable a disposition to employ the term “national” in speaking of the government of the Union. Neither word settles anything as to the nature or powers of the vovernment. “Fad. eral” is somewhat more appropriate if the govern. ment is considered a union of the states; “national” is preferable if the view is adepted that the state governments aud the Union are two distinct systems, each established by the people directly, one for local and the other for nutional purposes. See 92 U. S. 542; Abbott.

1. Pertaining to a league or compact between independent sovereignties. 2. Composed of states which retain only a portion of their original sovereignty; relating to the constitution, treaties, or laws, or the power or government of the organization thereby formed. Appropriate to our General Government, the government of the United States, considered as a Union of States or local governments. The word "National" recognizes the State governments and the government of the Union as distinct systems.* In the second sense are the common expressions Federal or federal — amendments, Constitution, courts, elections, decisions, judges, laws and statutes, question, government, officer. In these phrases the word of contrast is "State:" as, State constitutions, courts, laws, etc. See those titles.

[from Lat. foedus, a league or treaty.] Founded upon, or formed by a league, treaty, or compact between independent states. The government of the United States is a federal government, as being formed by the union of several independent states, each surrendering a portion of its power to the central authority. A federal is strictly distinguishable from a national government, (though in the United States the terms are often used indifferently,) the latter being properly an aggregation of individual citizens. The constitution of the United States is pronounced by Mr. Madison to be neither a national, nor a federal constitution, but a composition of both. Federalist, No. 39.