Virginia, the new Union certainly would have failed. They were two dominant, prosperous states located directly in the middle of the colonies. Their refusal to participate in the Union would have meant that the states would have been split into two factions, and would have inevitably been unable to continue an established government. Without Madison's performance, Virginia would not have ratified, nor, in turn, would New York, and their absence would have made the entire idea of a Union impossible (Bent, comp., 2000).Madison, therefore, can be considered the force of the formation and ratification of the Constitution. It was his mind that conceived the main points of the paper, set the tone of the Constitutional Convention, and conquered every obstacle that inhibited the document's ratification. Throughout all his work to ensure the Constitution's approval, Madison retained a demeanor of frank candor and unusual eloquence that could not be equaled, and that inevitably won people to his point of view. Perhaps, indeed, Madison would not have been the turning point that he is had he represented any other state. But the fact remains that he was, and is, the man that ensured the support of Virginia, and that fact meant the success of Constitutional ratification overall. He deserved the title bestowed upon him in 1791: "Father of the Constitution". He conceived it, battled hard for its approval, and finally succeeded in the ratification and eventual success of a document that even today retains those main points he instilled in it. His actions to ensure the union of the United States were unequaled by any man."The advice nearest to my heart and deepest in my convictions is, THAT THE UNION OF THE STATES BE CHERISHED AND PERPETUATED."- James Madison (Fendall, 1865)...
