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If we advert to the nature of republican government, we shall find that the censorial power is in the people over the government, and not in the government over the people.

James Madison

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James Madison
Age: 85 †
Born: 1751
Born: March 16
Died: 1836
Died: June 28
4Th U.S. President
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The advice nearest to my heart and deepest in my convictions is that the Union of the States be cherished and perpetuated.
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In all the co-temporary discussions and comments, which the Constitution underwent, it was constantly justified and recommended on the ground, that the powers not given to the government, were withheld from it.
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[The public has] the habit now of invalidating opinions emanating from me by reference to my age and infirmities.
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The express authority of the people alone could give validity to the Constitution.
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Another of my wishes is to depend as little as possible on the labour of slaves.
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Conscience is the most sacred of all property.
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The constitution supposes, what the History of all Governments demonstrates, that the Executive is the branch of power most interested in war, and most prone to it.
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Who are to be the objects of popular choice? Every citizen whose merit may recommend him to the esteem and confidence of his country.
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Man is known to be a selfish, as well as a social being.
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As to the permanent interest of individuals in the aggregated interests of the community, and in the proverbial maxim, that honesty is the best policy, present temptation is often found to be an overmatch for those considerations.
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A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
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Nothing has yet been offered to invalidate the doctrine that the meaning of the Constitution may as well be ascertained by the Legislative as by the Judicial authority.
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I flatter myself [we] have in this country extinguished forever the ambitious hope of making laws for the human mind.
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I go on the principle that a public debt is a public curse and in a republican government more than in any other.
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Another advantage accruing from this ingredient in the constitution of a senate, is the additional impediment it must prove against improper acts of legislation. No law or resolution can now be passed without the concurrence first of a majority of the people, and then of a majority of the states.
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Wherever the real power in a Government lies, there is the danger of oppression.
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A just security to property is not afforded by that government, under which unequal taxes oppress one species of property and reward another species.
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We are right to take alarm at the first experiment upon our liberties.
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At first view it might seem not to square with the republican theory, to suppose either that a majority have not the right, or that a minority will have the force to subvert a government . . . . But theoretic reasoning in this, as in most other cases, must be qualified by the lessons of practice.
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I hope this will find you...enjoying the commencement of a new year with every prospect that can make it a happy one.
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