FEDERAL

In constitutional law. A term commonly used to expre 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 term has not been imposed by a.n.y specific constitutional authority, but only expre es the general sense and opinion upon the nature of the form of govern- · ment. In recent years, there is observable a disposition to employ the term "national" in speaking of the government of the Union. Nei• ther word settles anything as to the nature or powers of the government. "Federal" is somewhat more appropriate if the government ls.con a i dered a union of the states; "national" la preferable If the view i11 adopted that the ate governments and the Union are two di&-. t!Dct synems, each established by the people cfltectly, Olle for local and the other for nation- [s. 492]