6 January, 2009
James Madison
Alongside Alexander Hamilton, James Madison wrote the Federalist Papers, which contained many of the ideas inspiring the US Constitution. He played a leading role in drafting the Constitution and became the 4rth President of the United States.
"The accumulation of all powers legislative, executive and judicial in the same hands, whether of one, a few or many… may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny."
"The truth is that all men having power ought to be mistrusted."
"If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy."
"Since the general civilization of mankind, I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpation."
"It is a universal truth that the loss of liberty at home is to be charged to the provisions against danger, real or pretended, from abroad."
"In no instance have . . . the churches been guardians of the liberties of the people."
The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe with blood for centuries."
"Strongly guarded as is the separation between religion and government in the Constitution of the United States the danger of encroachment by Ecclesiastical Bodies, may be illustrated by precedents already furnished in their short history."
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