No, the Founders didn't want a more powerful central government - they had just gotten rid of one. They created a central government with LIMITED powers. Limited for liberty. That is what the term "just powers" means - LIMITED! Secession was not, repeat NOT an illegal act as the 9th and 10th Amendments guaranteed that the people had the right to "resume any powers delegated whenever the central government perverted those powers to oppress the people." Go back, study up on your history especially the framing of the Constitution, and the debates surrounding it and then come talk with me.
"I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground that 'all powers not delegated to the United States, by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states or to the people.' To take a single step beyond the boundaries thus specially drawn around the powers of Congress, is to take possession of a boundless field of power, not longer susceptible of any definition." --Thomas Jefferson
"Were we directed from Washington when to sow, and when to reap, we should soon want bread." --Thomas Jefferson
"The State governments possess inherent advantages, which will ever give them an influence and ascendancy over the National Government, and will for ever preclude the possibility of federal encroachments. That their liberties, indeed, can be subverted by the federal head, is repugnant to every rule of political calculation." --Alexander Hamilton
Great post. Thanks.
"No, the Founders didn't want a more powerful central government - they had just gotten rid of one"
100% wrong. The Articles of Confederation had a very weak central government in which states could print money and impose tariffs on other states' goods. The Constitution was made to strengthen the then weak central governmnet. This is an undisputable fact that cannot be argued.