The Writings of James Madison: 1787-1790G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1904 |
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adopted agst alterations amendments America appear appointed Assembly attention bill of rights branch Carolina circumstances citizens clause conceive concurrence confederation Congress Connecticut consequence consider consideration Constitution Convention Court Cyrus Griffin danger DEAR SIR debts decision declared Delegates district duty EDMUND PENDLETON EDMUND RANDOLPH effect election established Executive experience favor federal federalists foreign friends GEORGE WASHINGTON give Hampshire honorable gentleman honorable member House impeachment inclosed influence interest JAMES MADISON Jefferson June Kentucky laws Legislative Legislature letter liberty Madison majority Massachusetts ment militia mode nations nature necessary object opinion opposed opposition paper particular party present President principles probably produce proper proposed question ratification reason regulation representatives requisitions respect Rhode Island Senate sentiment side South Carolina sufficient suppose taxes THOMAS JEFFERSON tion treaties unanimous union United vested Virga Virginia vote wish York
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Page 7 - That the said report with the resolutions and letter accompanying the same be transmitted to the several legislatures in order to be submitted to a convention of delegates chosen in each state by the people thereof in conformity to the resolves of the convention made and provided in that case.
Page 250 - Governments, and exists in no other. 4. because experience proves the inefficacy of a bill of rights on those occasions when its controul is most needed. Repeated violations of these parchment barriers have been committed by overbearing majorities in every State. In Virginia I have seen the bill of rights violated in every instance where it has been opposed to a popular current.
Page 351 - The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed; a well armed and well regulated militia being the best security of a free country: but no person religiously scrupulous of bearing arms shall be compelled to render military service in person.
Page 249 - Answer. A constitutive act may certainly be so formed as to need no declaration of rights. The act itself has the force of a declaration as far as it goes ; and if it goes to all material points nothing more is wanting. In...
Page 121 - I wish this government may answer the expectation of its friends, and foil the apprehension of its enemies. I hope the patriotism of the people will continue, and be a sufficient guard to their liberties. I believe its tendency will be, that the state governments will counteract the general interest, and ultimately prevail.
Page 205 - I go on this great republican principle1 that the people will have virtue and intelligence to select men of virtue and wisdom. Is there no virtue among us ? If there be not, we are in a wretched situation. No theoretical checks — no form of government can render us secure. To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea.
Page 213 - ... no right, of any denomination, can be cancelled, abridged, restrained or modified, by the congress, by the senate or house of representatives acting in any capacity, by the president or any department, or officer of the United States...
Page 401 - It is impossible for us not to see the necessary tendency to consolidated empire in the natural operation of the Constitution, if no further amended than as now proposed; and it is equally impossible for us not to be apprehensive for Civil Liberty, when we know of no instance in the records of history, that shew a people ruled in freedom when subject to one undivided Government, and inhabiting a territory so extensive as tfiat of the United States...
Page 352 - No state shall violate the equal rights of conscience, or the freedom of the press, or the trial by jury in criminal cases.
Page 195 - I do not conceive that power is given to the President and Senate to dismember the empire or to alienate any great essential right. I do not think the whole legislative authority have this power. The exercise of the power must be consistent with the object of the delegation.