[A] mere demarcation on parchment of the constitutional limits of the several departments is not a sufficient guard against those encroachments which… — James Madison Copy Share Image
The general government is proscribed from the interfering, in any manner whatsoever, in matters respecting religion; and it may be thought to… — James Madison Copy Share Image
If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government… — James Madison Copy Share Image
Public opinion sets bounds to every government, and is the real sovereign in every free one. — James Madison Copy Share Image
The regulation of these various and interfering interests forms the principal task of modern legislation and involves the spirit of party and… — James Madison Copy Share Image
If Congress can employ money indefinitely to the general welfare... they may appoint teachers in every state... The powers of Congress would… — James Madison Copy Share Image
The people are the only legitimate fountain of power, and it is from them that the constitutional charter, under which the several… — James Madison Copy Share Image
The house of representatives ... can make no law, which will not have its full operation on themselves and their friends, as… — James Madison Copy Share Image
Stability in government is essential to national character and to the advantages annexed to it, as well as to that repose and… — James Madison Copy Share Image
The preservation of a free government requires not merely that the metes and bounds which separate each department of power be invariably… — James Madison Copy Share Image
To the Baptist Churches on Neal's Greek on Black Creek, North Carolina I have received, fellow-citizens, your address, approving my objection to… — James Madison Copy Share Image
In a free government the security for civil rights must be the same as that for religious rights. — James Madison Copy Share Image
Resolved, That the General Assembly of Virginia, doth unequivocally express a firm resolution to maintain and defend the Constitution of the United… — James Madison Copy Share Image
If Congress can do whatever in their discretion can be done by money, and will promote the General Welfare, the Government is… — James Madison Copy Share Image
I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those… — James Madison Copy Share Image
In Europe, charters of liberty have been granted by Power. In America ... charters of power [are] granted by liberty. — James Madison Copy Share Image
There is one view of the subject which ought to have its influence on those who espouse doctrines which strike at the… — James Madison Copy Share Image
The danger of silent accumulations & encroachments by Ecclesiastical Bodies have not sufficiently engaged attention in the U.S. [...] Besides the danger… — James Madison Copy Share Image
Experience assures us, that the efficacy of the provision has been greatly over-rated; and that some more adequate defense is indispensably necessary… — James Madison Copy Share Image
War should only be declared by the authority of the people, whose toils and treasures are to support its burdens, instead of… — James Madison Copy Share Image
The powers of the federal government are enumerated; it can only operate in certain cases; it has legislative powers on defined and… — James Madison Copy Share Image
And may I not be allowed to ... read in the character of the American people, in their devotion to true liberty… — James Madison Copy Share Image
At first view it might seem not to square with the republican theory, to suppose either that a majority have not the… — James Madison Copy Share Image
“Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives. A… — James Madison Copy Share Image
Rulers who wished to subvert the public liberty, may have found an established Clergy convenient auxiliaries. A just Government instituted to secure & perpetuate… — James Madison Copy Share Image
The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments… — James Madison Copy Share Image
How could a readiness for war in time of peace be safely prohibited, unless we could prohibit, in like manner, the preparations and establishments… — James Madison Copy Share Image
The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, selfappointed,… — James Madison Copy Share Image
It is certain that every class is interested in [educational] establishments which give to the human mind its highest improvements, and to every Country… — James Madison Copy Share Image
Since it is impossible for the people spontaneously and universally, to move in concert towards their object; and it is therefore essential, that such… — James Madison Copy Share Image
The definition of the right of suffrage is very justly regarded as a fundamental article of republican government. — James Madison Copy Share Image
The future and success of America is not in this Constitution, but in the laws of God upon which this Constitution is founded. — James Madison Copy Share Image
They can make no law which will not have its full operation on themselves and their friends, as well as on the great mass… — James Madison Copy Share Image
The effect of a representative democracy is to refine and enlarge the public views, by passing them through the medium of a chosen body… — James Madison Copy Share Image
“... But besides the danger of a direct mixture of Religion & civil Government , there is an evil which ought to be guarded… — James Madison Copy Share Image