James Madison " the people can only defend themselves by a tumultuary insurrection"

Federalist Papers -James Madison



There is one consideration of immense force in this question not sufficiently attended to. It is this, that each state possesses in itself the full powers of government, and can at once in a regular and constitutional way, take measures for the preservation of its rights. In a single King dom or state, if the rulers attempt to establish a tyranny, the people can only defend themselves by a tumultuary insurrection ; they must run to arms without concert or plan; while the usurpers clothed with the forms of legal authority can employ the forces of the state to suppress them in embryo; and before they can have time or opportunity to give system to their opposition. With us the case is widely different. Each state has a government completely organized in itself; and can at once enter into a regular plan of defence. With the forces of the community at its command it can immediately form connections with its neighbors, or even with for eign powers, if necessary.

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Last Edited by CE1 on 08/10/2022 10:05 PM