The Necessity of Virtue among the People as a Safeguard of Good Government. Thoughts by James Madison, Virginia Ratifying Convention, June 20, 1788.

On June 25, 1788, the Virginia convention voted to ratify the Constitution by a vote of 89 to 79. Amongst the negative votes were luminaries such as Patrick Henry, George Mason, James Monroe, and Richard Henry Lee. To understand a sampling of their criticism of the Constitution, consider the following:

Patrick Henry:

"The Constitution is said to have beautiful features; but when I come to examine these features, sir, they appear to me to be horridly frightful... Your President may become a king." (From his speech on June 5, 1788, warning that the executive branch could evolve into a monarchy without sufficient checks.)

George Mason:

"This government will set out, as all others have done, in the full exercise of all its powers; and when it begins to act, it will act as if it had a right to do everything." (From the convention debates, expressing concern that the federal government would overstep its bounds.)

Richard Henry Lee (the man who offered the resolution for Independence in the Continental Congress):

"It goes on the principle that all power is in the people, but gives that power to a government which may destroy it." (From his remarks during the convention, highlighting his belief that the Constitution transferred too much authority from the people to the federal government.)

Madison, naturally one to support what was essentially his work, counted much of the criticism with what he termed "this great republican principle." The following excerpt explains his thoughts.

August Glen-James, editor

“I have observed, that gentlemen suppose, that the general legislature will do every mischief they possible can, and that they will omit to do everything good which they are authorized to do. If this were a reasonable supposition, their objections would be good. I consider it reasonable to conclude, that they will as readily do their duty, as deviate from it: Nor do I go on the grounds mentioned by gentlemen on the other side—that we are to place unlimited confidence in them, and expect nothing but the most exalted integrity and sublime virtue. But I go on this great republican principle, that the people will have virtue and intelligence to select men of virtue and wisdom. 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 that any form of government will secure 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. . . ."

Ketcham, Ralph, ed. Selected Writings of James Madison. Hackett Publishing, Indianapolis, 2006.