property. “Men who have no property lack the necessary stake in an orderly society to make stable or reliable citizens.”Finally, I was left with the notion that the Fathers were moderate republicans. Somewhat, reminding me of modern political figures who are in the middle grounds of extremes such as Democratic California Gov. Gray Davis, caught between battles for health care and gun control; and Republican Texas Gov. George W. Bush, who heralds himself as a “compassionate conservative”. Ultimately though, it reveled to me the success that was achieved with the Constitution, as the system of political checks and balances prevailed. And as Hofstadter asserts it “is one of the world’s masterpieces of practical statecraft.” Hofstadter: “The Founding Fathers: The Age of Realism” The Quote: “Wherever the real power in a government lies, there is the danger of oppression. In our Government the real power lies in the majority of the community.…” — James Madison“Power naturally grows… because human passions are insatiable. But that power alone can grow which is already too great; that which is unchecked; that which has no equal power to control it.” — John AdamsAddressing the aura around the framing of the Constitution, the two quotes at the beginning of the chapter “The Founding Fathers: An Age of Realism” serve to promote the overall attitude of those who made the body of the Constitution. A predominant fear that the masses which gain power with straight democracy would usurp the control of the central authorities, and therefore leave the privileged classes, the Founding Fathers among them, without ultimate power was the impetus behind Constitutional dogma. As seen with the first quote, Madison acknowledges the majority in the people. In order to create the Constitution, Madison was drawing to attention the need for an ...
