A Check on Federal Power: “Superior to All Parchment Checks that can be...
While James Madison wrote the most specific and complete set of instructions on how to stop the federal government without going to the federal government, he was far from the only founder to talk...
View ArticleJames Iredell: Forgotten Founder and Great Legal Mind
One of the greatest legal minds of the founding generation was also one of the most reserved and unobtrusive. On many levels, James Iredell differed from his peers. Outspoken Federalist from New York,...
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James Madison: Four Steps to Stop Federal Programs
Writing in Federalist #46, James Madison provided a 4-step strategy to bring down federal programs, whether they’re merely unpopular, or unconstitutional. Here’s what he had to say in the letter, The...
View ArticleThomas Jefferson: Revolutionary
In Thomas Jefferson – Revolutionary: A Radical’s Struggle to Remake America, historian Kevin Gutzman offers a fresh look at the famous statesman, described as “a revolutionary who effected radical...
View ArticleToday in History: James Madison Vetoes Infrastructure Bill as Unconstitutional
Exactly 200 years ago today, President James Madison vetoed the Bonus Bill of 1817 – a plan that called for the federal construction of various roads, bridges, and canals throughout the country. In a...
View ArticleThe Thomas Jefferson Nobody Knows
Following up on his successful and highly regarded James Madison and the Making of America (St. Martin’s, 2012), Kevin Gutzman has returned with a fresh look at Jefferson in Thomas Jefferson,...
View ArticleThis Week in History: The Philadelphia Convention Begins
When delegates gathered in Philadelphia 230 years ago this week to consider changes to the structure of the general government, many prominent delegates brought plans to create a much stronger central...
View ArticleJames Madison did not Reject Nullification
At some point in virtually every debate, an opponent of nullification will claim James Madison is on their side and that he opposed the practice. This despite the very clear meaning of the words in the...
View ArticleFederal Overreach and American Foreign Policy Go Hand-In-Hand
Apologists for the state often argue that criticism of the federal government must not encroach on national defense and foreign affairs. This is particularly true of Republicans, but Democrats are...
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Thomas Jefferson’s Other Declaration
Most Americans know that Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of “The Declaration of Independence”, the most important of all our founding documents.Yet few of them have even heard of another...
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“I love George Washington. Except for his Foreign Policy.”
We are a political society primarily driven by our own, narrowly defined special interests. Not general principles.Nowhere is that more evident than in U.S. foreign policy. We intervene in Libya to...
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The Blueprint: James Madison’s Advice
Lysander Spooner was a 19th century anarchist and staunch abolitionist.Every once in a while I run into those who’ve given up on the constitutional system in America. They argue that the whole thing...
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James Madison on How to Enforce the Constitution
A good place to start in determining how to enforce the Constitution is with the guy who’s commonly referred to as the “Father of the Constitution.” While there’s some debate that James Wilson was...
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No, James Madison did not Reject Nullification
For some reason, some conservative commentators keep propagating the historical lie that James Madison “rejected nullification.” James Madison did no such thing.Even while opposing a bastardized...
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Understanding Madison’s Notes on Nullification
Many opponents of nullification point James Madison’s 1835 Notes on Nullification and claim he opposed the idea.The Madison-penned Virginia Resolutions of 1798, along with his Virginia Report of 1800,...
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John Dickinson: The “Penman of the Revolution”
In modern times, few recognize the name John Dickinson. Despite a lifetime of influence and accomplishment, he has truly become a figure overshadowed by other eighteenth century associates. Thomas...
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James Madison: How to Stop the Federal Government
In response to federal overreach, most people tend to focus on three types of actions to stop them: elections, conventions, and lawsuits. While they all have their place in an overall strategy to...
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Resisting Federal Usurpation: Comments by Theophilus Parsons
Several years ago, I wrote on this site about the contributions to the American Founding of Josiah Quincy.Another little-known Founder who should be more widely celebrated today was Theophilus...
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