in this case, the character of the government (especially the various state governments) of the United States. He referred to the political "system" because he believed that the Articles of Confederation and the Constitutions of each of the states were supposed to work together. In his essay, he explains all of the problems with the Articles of Confederation, but most significantly, he explains the problems with the state governments. The "political system" could only work well if the state governments were good too. Madison wrote that the failure of the state governments to function successfully calls into question the "fundamental principle of republican Government, that the majority who rule in such governments, are the safest Guardians of both the public Good and of private rights." In other words, if the political system collapses and the new country fails, that would
mean that the idea of rule by the people -- by the consent of the
governed -- would fail. Tomorrow, I'm looking forward to more interesting lectures (yes, your teacher is a big civics geek -- just like James Madison! ..... hmmmm). We're also going to get a tour of his house. I am really looking forward to this tour because I saw the house in 2002, before the restoration. I also saw the house in 2008, during the restoration. The restoration (to what the house looked like when James Madison owned it) is now complete, so I'll be able to see the finished product while still having a picture in my mind of what it looked like before! We can't take pictures inside the house, unfortunately, but I'll definitely take a picture of the outside of the house and post it in my next blog!
Posted by JENNIFER MITNICK at 6/20/2010 10:00:00 PM
In one week, I will get to visit James Madison's house, Montpelier, as part of a week-long teacher workshop sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities. James Madison was the genius behind the design of our Constitution, so there isn't a more perfect place for a Civics teacher to visit. At the workshop, which will run from June 27 through July 2, I will learn about the Constitution through the lens of James Madison's life, as well as about the archaeological restoration of his house. I won't get to actually sleep in his house, but I will be staying in one of the other small houses on his property. I have two books to read before I go and I can't wait! Check back in one week for more information about my first day there!