Daren,
I never wrote the quote was demonstrative of the “Constitution itself for support of the
country’s principles.” I wrote that he “did what all good statesmen do–try to move the opinion of the
Americans to a proper/better understanding of the document. This is
best seen in his letter to Jefferson (1825) which is sketched below:”
In other words, Madison tried to ensure a proper understanding of the Constitution. The fact that he kept referring to the Constitution and defended it, meant that he did not necessarily consider it “dead.” He frowned on the alternative , actually–thinking that getting rid of the Constitution meant a return to the state of nature. Rather, he wanted the Federalist taught in schools so citizens would have a better understanding of it.
Perhaps you can read into the quote I posted that the principles, according to Madison, do not come merely from the Constitution itself, but from something prior to it.
Prof. Kickler: Regarding your post late yesterday–Agreed!
