The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-03-21
This Is Madison Day
Devils Lake JournaI

Nv ANNS VoAAAOJ
One Of the significant dates in the month of March
Is the birthday Of James Madison, the Father of the
Constitution" Madison was born on March Is. 1851, at
Port Conway. Virginia. and the l8oth anniversary Of his
birth today Is COMMUNICATED in a statement from the
division Of information and publication of the George
Washington Bicentennial commission.
Unlike the military services of Washington and his
army officers, Madisons contribution to the establishment
OF the United States was spectacular in no respect. He
was essentially a statesman and in the field Of govern
ment and politics he had few superiors. In this sphere
his services have proved to be of everlasting benefit
to this country.
At the University of New Jersey, now Princeton, Madi-
son demonstrated q p~rodigious capacity for work and
ne was graduated at an early age. He was deeply inter-
ested in history and religion, and his studies along these
lines formed a broad basis for the sound Judgment which
characterized his participation in public life.
Madisons first venture in politics came with his cleo
ton to the legislature of his own state. Here he revealed
the results Of his previous study. He evinced a pro-
nounced antagonism toward any kind of religious in
church and state. When a bill was introduced providing
that AL men should enjoy the fullest liberation in the
exercise Of religion" Madison so effectively opposed it
that the clause was changed to read. "al men are
equally entitled to the free exercise of religion"
AS q member of the Continental congress in 1880, Madi-
son strongly advocated the establishment of an import
law as part Of a federal tax system. No one realized
better than he the need Of a strong central government.
He recognized that the weakness of the confederation
lay in its inability to raise money, and he was among
the foremost to urge the adoption of efficient revenue
measures. He opposed the issuance of paper money
and his mastery reasoning against the evil was respon-
sible for Virginias escape from the craze which swept the
country in 1786.
The Annapolis convention which resulted later in the
constitutional convention In 1887, was Madison's proposal.
OF all the delegates to the latter, Madison was perhaps
the best informed. He had made an exhaustive study OF
the history Of confederates and federal unions, and he
was ready with his own suggestion which was known
as the Virginia plan. This was adopted as the basis OF
the federal government which was outlined in the Con-
stitution.
When the Constitution was ready, Madison worked with
Hamilton and Jay in the preparation Of the series OF
pamphlets called THE federalist." These brochures were
written to overcome the prejudice against the constt-
tuition and to secure its adoption by the states. In
Virginia, this great instrument was vigorously opposed
by Henry Lee and Patrick Henry, but Madison argued
so strongly in favor Of it that he secured the Old Domin-
ions ratification. Madison was defeated IN his DID 1o6
the senate largely because Of the efforts of Henry. ne
was, however, elected to the house where he Offered
twelve amendments to the Constitution embodying the
salient points Of a bill Of rights. The first ten OF these
amendments were adopted In 1871.
Madison left the house Of representatives and retired
from public life at the close Of Washington's second i'd
ministration. Retirement in the strictest sense, however
was impossible for him, and he attacked the adm1nls
tration's neutrality in the war between France and Eng
land. The alien and sedition acts in 1898 led to the
fall Of the Federalist party and brought about the cleo.
ton Of Jefferson to the presidency. Madison had peel
Jeffersons friend for years. and now he accepted tne
portfolio Of secretary Of state.
After serving in complete harmony with Jefferson
Madison, as the logical successor to the Sage OF Monu'
cello. was elected to the presidency.
Madison's career was one Of ~ilustriouS service 70 nv
country, and Americans everywhere may well recall ~
} contribution to the United States