We have to keep in mind for this discussion that the original federal republic envisioned by the Framers was crushed vigorously in the early 1860s, and this destruction was enshrined by the conquerors in the 14th, in 1868. The tyranny of a huge centralized government taking precedence over the rights of the people in their respective states has come to pass.
Madison, Jefferson, Mason may have debated various forms of liberty,but that was discarded 150 years ago, as they rolled in their graves.