Yes. Prior to 1913 the federal government wasn't a factor in the life of the average American.
Do you believe that is how things are now?
No. Overnight, the 17th Amendment rendered the Framers' federal republic into a democratic republic. Whereas power was previously diffused between the states and government they created, the 17th immediately concentrated power in DC.
The Constitution acts upon both the states and the people. Both were represented until 1913. It makes as much sense to remove the states from the government as it does to remove the people . . . none.
James Madison summed it up nicely in the fourth paragraph of Federalist 51
I believe we may be at cross purposes but perhaps in violent agreement.
Yes, the 17th was the nail in the coffin of the Republic. I don’t think the founders ever dreamed anyone would be so stupid to take such an action.