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Quote by James Madison

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James Madison
James Madison

James Madison, the 4th President of the United States, was born on March 16, 1751, and died on June 28, 1836. He was a key figure in drafting the U.S. Constitution and had a profound impact on the political system of the United States. more

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“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.”

StatesGovernmentConstitutionDefinedFederal GovernmentProperty RightsLimited GovernmentBill Of RightsState GovernmentFederalistLimiting GovernmentFederalist PapersConstitutional RightsUs ConstitutionFederalismSecessionGeneral WelfareConstitutional GovernmentStates RightsToo Much PowerPower GovernmentNullification
Book:The Federalist, on the New Constitution, Written in the Year 1788
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“Besides the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation.... Notwithstanding the military establishments in the several kingdoms of Europe, which are carried as far as the public resources will bear, the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms.”

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Book:The Federalist, on the New Constitution, Written in the Year 1788
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“It is not certain that with this aid alone [possession of arms], they would not be able to shake off their yokes. But were the people to posses the additional advantages of local governments chosen by themselves, who could collect the national will, and direct the national force; and of officers appointed out of the militia, by these governments and attached both to them and to the militia, it may be affirmed with the greatest assurance, that the throne of every tyranny in Europe would be speedily overturned, in spite of the legions which surround it.”

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Author:James Madison
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“The government of the United States is a definite government, confined to specified objects. It is not like the state governments, whose powers are more general. Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government.”

StatesGovernmentPoliticsUnitedUnited StatesObjectsDutyCharityDefiniteConfinedProperty RightsLimited GovernmentState GovernmentUs ConstitutionLegislative Branch
Book:The Debates in the Several State Conventions on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution: As Recommended by the General Convention at Philadelphia in 1787. Together with the Journal of the Federal Convention, Luther Martin's Letter, Yates's Minutes, Congressional Opinions, Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions of '98-'99, and Other Illustrations of the Constitution
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“Place three individuals in a situation wherein the interest of each depends on the voice of the others, and give to two of them an interest opposed to the rights of the third. Will the latter be secure? The prudence of every man would shun the danger. The rules & forms of justice suppose & guard against it. Will two thousand in a like situation be less likely to encroach on the rights of one thousand?”

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Book:Selected Writings of James Madison
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