Federal Government Powers and the Defense of Liberty, James Madison

Posted By Douglas V. Gibbs

"In the first place it is to be remembered that the general government is not to be charged with the whole power of making and administering laws.  Its jurisdiction is limited to certain enumerated objects, which concern all the members of the republic." - James Madison, Federalist 14

"We have seen that in the new government, as in the old, the general powers are limited; and that the States, in all enumerated cases, are left in the employment of their sovereign and independent jurisdiction." - James Madison, Federalist 40

"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.  The former will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace, negotiation, and foreign commerce." - James Madison, Federalist 45

"Were it admitted, however, that the federal government may feel an equal disposition with the State governments to extend its power beyond the due limits, the latter would still have the advantage in the means of defeating such encroachments." - James Madison, Federalist 46

"What is government itself but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary." - James Madison, Federalist 51

"I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments by those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison, Speech at the Virginia Convention to ratify the Federal Constitution, 1788

"Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives." - James Madison, Letter to W.T. Barry, 1822

"The happy Union of these States is a wonder; their Constitution a miracle; their example the hope of Liberty throughout the world." - James Madison, "Outline" notes, September 1829

"A well-instructed people alone can be permanently a free people." - James Madison, State of the Union Speech, December 5, 1810

"...the advancement of science and the diffusion of information as the best aliment to true liberty" - James Madison, Inaugural Address, March 4, 1809

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