In Federalist Paper #45, James Madison describes the situation of states being superior to the federal government. He starts by saying that the powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those who are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite. The distribution of power between the two is, therefore, much more just and equal.
Madison goes on to say that the federal government will have authority over certain enumerated objects only, while the States will retain everything else. The supremacy of the federal government is thus limited to a few defined objects, while the States retain general supremacy over all other objects.
Madison also argues that, in practice, the federal government will have very little influence over the daily lives of citizens. The majority of laws will be made at the state and local level. The federal government will only be involved in a few areas, such as defense and foreign affairs.
Overall, Madison makes a strong case for the superiority of the state governments over the federal government. He argues that the federal government is limited in its powers, while the states retain a general supremacy. In practice, the federal government will have very little impact on the daily lives of citizens.