Question: in the united states and canada it is very important to

title: Canada–United States relations
text: It has been said that the United States Government is a failure . I do n't go so far . On the contrary , I consider it a marvelous exhibition of human wisdom . It was as perfect as human wisdom could make it , and under it the American States greatly prospered until very recently ; but being the work of men it had its defects , and it is for us to take advantage by experience , and endeavor to see if we can not arrive by careful study at such a plan as will avoid the mistakes of our neighbors . In the first place we know that every individual state was an individual sovereignty -- that each had its own army and navy and political organization -- and when they formed themselves into a confederation they only gave the central authority certain specific rights appertaining to sovereign powers . The dangers that have risen from this system we will avoid if we can agree upon forming a strong central government -- a great Central Legislature -- a constitution for a Union which will have all the rights of sovereignty except those that are given to the local governments . Then we shall have taken a great step in advance of the American Republic . ( September 12 , 1864 )