James Madison Quotes
Perhaps it is a universal truth that the loss of liberty at home is to be charged against provisions against danger, real or pretended from abroad.
James Madison, 1751-1836, 4th President of the United States (Democratic Republican, VA), Letter to Thomas Jefferson, May, 13, 1798
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
In England there was an eye on American McCarthyism and its excesses.
There has in the United States, since the Constitution was ratified, a tension in every war or conflict, where some Americans wanted to reduce civil rights in order to better cope with the conflict and others observed that what we were fighting for is precisely those civil rights and liberties. John Adams and the Federalists, did not want anyone to be allowed to publicly criticize the Government while we were in conflict with Great Britain. They passed the Alien and Sedition Acts. Thomas Jefferson and the Republicans felt that that the freedom should not be given up in the name of national security—we could prevail without that incursion on rights. They repealed the Adams laws. In WWI, Democratic President Woodrow Wilson wanted to jail anyone who claimed that the military draft was improper, immoral or illegal, and he did. Republicans, when they assumed office, then released the prisoners and restored freedom of speech. In the war on terror, most Republicans like sessions, wanted to torture prisoners, allow the imprisonment of suspected terrorists indefinitely without any charges or trial, and bug American telephone calls without the usually required court warrants. Democrats disagreed. That stimulated Sessions statement.
He argued to take every statement or threat of violence against America or Americans made by a foreign leader, even if for local political purposes, as a clear and present danger that requires action, often including force to nullify that country's capability to harm America or to produce a regime change. Many point to Adolf Hitler who had, in Mein Kampf, told the world what he would try and do, and few paid any attention to him. On the other hand, when he was at his most dangerous and planning massive world aggression, his rhetoric was very moderate and peaceful. The vast majority of the foreign leaders who threaten America and her interests, never have acted on those threats. However, one danger is the incitement of others in the country or region who might become a threat to America as an individual or a non state terror group.
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.
