How was the whiskey rebellion viewed as both a success and a failure for the newly formed government?

The whiskey rebellion demonstrated that the federal government had the powers to enforce its law. the armed distillers and their supporters went home before the army, led by Washington arrived to suppress the rebellion.

However, the whiskey tax was difficult to enforce and actually had to be appealed.

Success:

The rebellion proved the people had a right to stand up against the government and when doing so would result in changes to the government. The federal government responded by repealing the tax and clarify the right to protest.

Failure:

The rebellion resulted in the federal government reacting with the military to stop the rebellion. Many were arrested and even some protestors killed as a result of the military action taken against the citizens.