The nation could not survive if there were huge differences between the rich and the poor. This raised more issues and questions about slavery's incompetence with a republican government, which went against its quest to promote virtue. Additionally, they wanted a national government so that it could take authority and enforce laws through military or judicial powers that would protect the nation. One example being that they wanted to regain or preserve their right to free navigation on the Mississippi River. The Federalist illustrates that their freedom is in question when Hamilton writes: “Are we entitled, by nature and contract, to a free participation in the navigation of the Mississippi? Spain excludes us from