I think it was the past with Britain where only one person had complete power. This did not allow people to have a say, which was the reasons why the 13 colonies rebelled. Including the right of the people to revolt against a tyrannical government would protect the fundament of the united states government which was to give the people power and to make sure the US would not become something similar to Britain.
Americans were opposed to a national government because they thought that a stronger government threatened the sovereignty and prestige of the states, localities, or individuals.
