In his later years, James Madison protested being referred
to as the Father of the Constitution.
He said the document was not “the off-spring of a single brain.” Our
Constitution was actually the off-spring
of fifty-five brains, although none were as potent as Madison’s. A few
historians have denigrated Madison’s informal title, saying he had merely
outlived the other Framers and his convention notes gave him more credit than
he would have received from an impartial observer. These critics also point out
the final Constitution diverted appreciably from the Virginia Plan that Madison
initially supported as the correct governmental system.
Despite revisionists seeking a unique angle, James Madison
was still the most important Framer—before, during, and after the Constitutional
Convention of 1787.
James Madison |
In 1786, the country was at peace, but struggling. Congress
called for a convention at Annapolis to offer amendments to the Articles of
Confederation, but the meeting never convened due to the lack of a quorum. James
Madison and Alexander Hamilton made a pact to promote another convention for the
following year in Philadelphia.
The thirty-five year old Madison committed himself to making the
Philadelphia convention succeed. He renewed his study of historical republics,
and the writings of government philosophers. He started corresponding with
academics, clergy, and his fellow Founders. He was not only a major architect
of the Virginia Plan, he worked ceaselessly to build a coalition of big states
that could push the plan through the convention. Perhaps most important, he
worked tirelessly with Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson to convince
George Washington to accept a delegate position. When Washington finally and reluctantly
agreed to attend, Madison knew the general’s Revolutionary renown would draw
enough delegates for a quorum of the states.
With everything in ready, James Madison arrived in
Philadelphia two weeks prior to the scheduled start of the convention—a full month before the actual
start.
During the Constitutional Convention
The Virginia Plan was presented by Edmund Randolph, the
governor of Virginia, but everyone knew that it was Madison’s plan. He attended
every session, and took the floor more than one hundred and fifty times, third
after Gouverneur Morris and James Wilson. He sat in the front of the room so he
could take extensive notes of all the deliberations. Madison frequently influenced
debate with speeches on first principles and theories of government. Toward the
end of the convention, Madison sat on all the important committees that
consolidated the prior four month’s deliberations and votes.
During the convention, Madison changed many minds, but he
also changed his mind on many details of the government design. He felt
confident in the results, but he knew their work was going to be an academic
exercise unless it was adopted by the people.
After the Constitutional Convention
Madison played a key part in guiding the Constitution
through the Continental Congress, a prerequisite to getting it out to the
people for ratification. Once this was accomplished, they needed nine states to
ratify, but New York and Virginia were absolutely crucial. These two prosperous
states would split the country geographically if they decided to go their own
way. Madison, pretending to be a New Yorker, joined Hamilton and Jay in writing
the Federalist Papers, which were the op-ed opinion pieces of the day. Next, he
raced home to Virginia to lead the Federalist charge in the Virginia
Ratification convention. Taking on Patrick Henry, reputedly the best speaker in
the country, Madison led his caucus to victory—albeit with some political shenanigans by
George Washington.
But he wasn’t done. Ratification victory in several states
depended on a promise to add a Bill of Rights to the Constitution. Madison was
the one to lead the First Congress to make good on this promise—resulting in his second
moniker, Father of the Bill of Rights.
James
Madison truly was Father of the
Constitution
For
three years, Madison dedicated almost every waking moment to the study of
governments, organizing the convention, designing a system, and securing approval
of our Constitution. George Washington may have once again been the indispensible man, but he and the rest
of the delegates depended on the intellect and prodigious work of little
Madison.
What
would he think today? It’s inappropriate to put thoughts into any man’s head,
especially James Madison’s, but he would surely be appalled at the blurring of
the separation of powers. His mantra was separation of powers, checks and
balances, and the ultimate authority of the people. The three federal branches
have made it a habit to encroach on each other while trampling the 10th
Amendment. If he were here today, he’d probably tell everyone to get back to
their respective corners.
No comments:
Post a Comment