James Madison
Madison played a very large role in the drafting of the United States Constitution. His notes, taken during the proceedings, are a primary source of the debate, sometimes heated, over the strength of the future federal government. He felt so strongly about the Constitution that, along with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, published letters in its favor in newspapers under the name Publius. These letters were later compiled into what is known as The Federalist Papers. Madison was also the fourth President of the United States. During his time as President, the United States fought and won the War of 1812.
Speech Relevance[edit]
The struggle of those who believe that a few have the right to rule the many as against those who believe in individual liberty. James Madison speaking before the Virginia convention in 1788 said, "Since the general civilization of mankind, I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachment of those in power, than by violent and sudden usurpation."
Madison did, indeed, make this claim in a speech to the Virginia Ratifying Convention on June 16, 1788. He went on to say:
On a candid examination of history we shall find that turbulence, violence, and abuse of power by the majority trampling on the rights of the minority, have produced factions and commotions, which in republics, have more frequently than any other cause produced despotism. If we go over the whole history of the ancient and modern republics, we shall find their destruction to have generally resulted from those causes.
