Founders
A Check on Federal Power: “Superior to All Parchment Checks that can be Invented”
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 about states as a check on federal power. A little-known Founder from...
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 Jefferson, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, and others typically...
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 actually far more fitting of that title, Madison was obviously quite...
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 suffers from fatal flaws, and they will often quote Spooner to...