James Madison Quotes
It is a principle incorporated into the settled policy of America, that as peace is better than war, war is better than tribute..
While to Madison the principle that “war is better than tribute” was “settled policy”, there were many who disagreed. See {640867} as an example.
James Madison, 1751-1836, 4th President of the United States (Democratic Republican, VA), Policy after the peace treaty with Algeria, Quoted in Joseph Wheelan, Jefferson’s War
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Opponents claimed that it would be dishonorable to negotiate with terrorist states and to pay ransom at any time. This tension between principle and empathy with American prisoners first emerged in the Barbary Wars, but has been with America ever since. Our policy position of honor vis a vis terrorists has been the same since then. We do not negotiate. However, exceptions have been made many times in American history, as it was here thanks to military leaders like Barron. This was the origin of the military tradition of never leaving Americans behind in when they have been captured in conflicts that was so contentious such as the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars.
After the attack on Fort Sumter, the South Sent “diplomats” to negotiation with the Government. Unfortunately for all, the South really was not open to negotiations as they only had two predetermined positions they would agree to: The first was that the Government should guarantee the perpetual right of states to have slavery if they wished and that fugitive slaves would be returned by the non-slave states. The second was that the Union should recognize the Confederacy as an independent nation and have peaceful relations between the two. The first was impossible to deliver even if the Union would agree to continue slavery, there was no way that the Federal Government could enforce the return of fugitive slaves from many northern states where they were free the second they set foot in the state, and the Northern states demanded States Rights and not being forced to return Fugitive Slaves forcing the Southern States to oppose States Rights when it came to Fugitive Slaves while favoring it for slavery itself. The Federal government could not enforce the Dred Scott Decision under the pro-South Buchanan administration. And Lincoln and most of the Northern Politicians would not accept a complete dissolution of the Union. There are no other possibilities the South would accept and there was really nothing to negotiate.
This is a variant of a famous Clauswitz quotation {635143}.
Lodge was particularly concerned that under the proposed treaty the United States would be obligated to support the League of Nations military efforts regardless of American public opinion or Congressional action.
This appears to be the first American utterance of a longstanding doctrine of foreign policy.
A variant of this quotation was used by Admiral of the German Navy. See {609658}.
Barry Goldwater in the 20th century used a variation of this quotation. See {601784}.
This quotation is surprising in that Mrs. Roosevelt was a leading liberal and one of the leading advocates for peace. This quotation might have been authored by a right wing conservative of the early 21st century.
See {640847}, {640845} & {640846}. The capitalization is exactly as Adams wrote it. Note the omission of a capital letter for “congress” for whom he and many others had little respect even then.
The Barbary Pirates had an incredible extortion racket going in the Mediterranean. If nations would pay them an annual sum each year, they would not attack and seize merchant ships of that country and sell the ships and goods while holding the sailors for ransom. There were political differences in America over whether to pay tribute and ransom or respond militarily.
The plan was to have an American agent with a few marines make an alliance with a rival to the throne of Algiers and depose the existing ruler with American “special forces”.
The Barbary Pirates had an incredible extortion racket going in the Mediterranean. If nations would pay them an annual sum each year, they would not attack and seize merchant ships of that country and sell the ships and goods while holding the sailors for ransom. President Jefferson had first dispatched American warships and authorized a major land operation which were very effective. Finally, a treaty was negotiated but Decatur reminded the Navy of what brought the Algerians to the negotiating table.
- Born: March 16, 1751
- Died: June 28, 1836
- Nationality: American
- Profession: President
James Madison Jr. was an American statesman, diplomat, expansionist, philosopher, and Founding Father who served as the fourth president of the United States from 1809 to 1817. He is hailed as the "Father of the Constitution" for his pivotal role in drafting and promoting the Constitution of the United States and the United States Bill of Rights. He co-wrote The Federalist Papers, co-founded the Democratic-Republican Party, and served as the fifth United States Secretary of State from 1801 to 1809.
