13th Annotation

Madison James, Speech in the Virginia Ratifying Convention, June 20, 1788

During the convention in Virginia to ratify the Constitution, Madison gives a speech defending the Constitution. The following quote is his argument against the mindset of people who did not trust the Constitution. "Is there no virtue among us? If there be not, we are in a wretched situation. No theoretical checks -- no form of government can render us secure. To suppose liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea. If there be sufficient virtue and intelligence in the community, it will be exercised in the selection of these men. So that we do not depend on their virtue, or put confidence in our rulers, but in the people who are to choose them." He ends the quote by stating it's not the person running we are trusting, but the voters are the ones we depend on. The voters make the decision.