The proposed Constitution is, in strictness, neither a national nor a federal constitution; but a composition of both. – James Madison
In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men you must first enable the government to control the governed and in the next place oblige it to control itself. – James Madison
The people are the only legitimate fountain of power, and it is from them that the constitutional charter, under which the several branches of government hold their power, is derived. – James Madison
If we are to take for the criterion of truth the majority of suffrages, they ought to be gotten from those philosophic and patriotic citizens who cultivate their reason. – James Madison