OBSERVATIONS FROM OUR FOUNDING FATHERS The Patriot Post – Mid-Day Digest
JAMES MADISON
All men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree.
— (1787)
For the same reason that the members of the State legislatures will be unlikely to attach themselves sufficiently to national objects, the members of the federal legislature will be likely to attach themselves too much to local objects.
— (1788)
There are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.
— (1788)
It will not be denied that power is of an encroaching nature and that it ought to be effectually restrained from passing the limits assigned to it.
— (1788)
In all very numerous assemblies, of whatever character composed, passion never fails to wrest the scepter from reason.
— (1788)
The legislative department is everywhere extending the sphere of its activity and drawing all power into its impetuous vortex.
— (1788)
The aim of every political constitution is, or ought to be, first to obtain for rulers men who possess most wisdom to discern, and most virtue to pursue, the common good of the society.
— (1788)
An ELECTIVE DESPOTISM was not the government we fought for; but one which should not only be founded on free principles, but in which the powers of government should be so divided and balanced among several bodies of magistracy, as that no one could transcend their legal limits, without being effectually checked and restrained by the others.
— (1788)
Ambition must be made to counteract ambition. The interest of the man must be connected with the constitutional rights of the place. It may be a reflection on human nature that such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of government. What is government itself but the greatest of all reflections on human nature?
— (1788)
We have heard of the impious doctrine in the old world, that the people were made for kings, not kings for the people. Is the same doctrine to be revived in the new, in another shape — that the solid happiness of the people is to be sacrificed to the views of political institutions of a different form?
— (1788)
In Europe, charters of liberty have been granted by power. America has set the example ... of charters of power granted by liberty. This revolution in the practice of the world, may, with an honest praise, be pronounced the most triumphant epoch of its history, and the most consoling presage of its happiness.
— (1792)
A universal peace, it is to be feared, is in the catalogue of events, which will never exist but in the imaginations of visionary philosophers, or in the breasts of benevolent enthusiasts.
— (1792)
It is a principle incorporated into the settled policy of America, that as peace is better than war, war is better than tribute.
— (1816)
Equal laws protecting equal rights; the best guarantee of loyalty and love of country.
— (1820)
The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite.
In all very numerous assemblies, of whatever character composed, passion never fails to wrest the scepter from reason.
