History of the Life and Times of James Madison, Volume 2

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Little, Brown, 1866 - United States

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Page 353 - I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth — that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid 1 We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings, that " except the Lord build the house they labor in vain that build it.
Page 198 - ... by comprehending in the society so many separate descriptions of citizens as will render an unjust combination of a majority of the whole very improbable, if not impracticable.
Page 197 - It is of great importance in a republic not only to guard the society against the oppression of its rulers, but to guard one part of the society against the injustice of the other part.
Page 352 - In this situation of this assembly, groping, as it were, in the dark, to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us. how has it happened, sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understandings...
Page 408 - In future times a great majority of the people will not only be without landed, but any other sort of property. These will either combine under the influence of their common situation; in which case, the rights of property and the public liberty, will not be secure in their hands; or which is more probable, they will become the tools of opulence and ambition, in which case there will be equal danger on another side.
Page 480 - No man's ideas were more remote from the plan than his own were known to be ; but is it possible to deliberate between anarchy and convulsion on one side, and the chance of good to be expected from the plan on the other?
Page 212 - We have errors to correct. We have probably had too good an opinion of human nature in forming our confederation. Experience has taught us, that men will not adopt and carry into execution measures the best calculated for their own good, without the intervention of a coercive power.
Page 448 - Sir, I agree to this Constitution with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a general Government necessary for us, and there is no form of Government but what may be a blessing to the people if well administered...
Page 200 - In the extended republic of the United States, and among the great variety of interests, parties, and sects which it embraces, a coalition of a majority of the whole society could seldom take place on any other principles than those of justice and the general good...
Page 213 - I do not conceive we can exist long as a nation without having lodged somewhere a power, which will pervade the whole Union in as energetic a manner as the authority of the State governments extends over the several States.

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