James MadisonJames Madison, (1751-1836), Father of the Constitution for the USA, 4th US President

James Madison Quote

“What can be more reasonable than that when crowds of them [immigrants] come here, they should be forced to renounce everything contrary to the spirit of the Constitution[?]”

James MadisonJames Madison
~ James Madison

James Madison, House of Representatives, Naturalization Bills (January 1, 1795); Philip B. Kurland and Ralph Lerner, eds., The Founders’ Constitution, Volume Two: Preamble through Article I, Section 8, Clause 4 (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 2000), 577.

Ratings and Comments


Mike, Norwalk

I'm not quite sure how to rate this. Who is going to be forcing what spirit of the Constitution. My legal spirit of the Constitution (inclusive of personal sovereignty, inalienable rights, liberty, nobility of life, perfected allodium and administration of the laws of nature and of nature's God  NO! ! ! compelled compliance, victimless crimes, government licensing, and/or no larceny with impunity) is diametrically opposed to the socialist patrons (liberal to conservative, communist to fascist, progressive to neocon, etc.) of the occupying statist theocracy infesting this land. The Bill of Rights is a good place to start (freedom of religion, speech, thought, etc.). If an individual (individually or in concert, persons behind the veil of corporations, government, etc.) violate another's right, liberty, person, property, etc., they should be dealt with in a criminal system where innocent until proven guilty reigns supreme.

E Archer, NYC

Currently in order to immigrate to the US, the immigrant must study American history and ultimately swear allegiance to support and defend the US Constitution.  To become a Canadian citizen, the immigrant swears allegiance to the Queen  same for every British commonwealth.  America is a nation founded upon 'principle,' not governed by a 'principal.'  Those fleeing tyranny should be happy to renounce the ways of their oppressive culture and adopt a culture of freedom and self-reliance, not demand the same culture of oppression from which they escaped.  America is the beacon of Independence not dependence.

Mike, Norwalk
  • Reply
Mike, Norwalk E Archer, NYC 5/8/19

Archer, on your comment; I have a friend from Germany that came to America and became a citizen. We've had several discussions on his study of "American history". (-; He is baffled at our history and how the people have swayed so far away from the originating principles and, how unconstitutional the current government is.  ;-)


E Archer, NYC
  • 1
  • Reply
E Archer, NYC Mike, Norwalk 5/8/19

That's a common story for most immigrants to the USA that I know.  I always thought that signing an oath to support and defend the Constitution should be a requirement to being an elector for any US office.  Why not, upon graduation from public school, sign the Declaration of Independence and make that declaration YOUR declaration?  Legal immigrants are so proud to become Americans — native-born Americans do not go through such a process and do not share the same understanding.

Ronw13, Oregon

Assets not liabilities are required for prosperity. A quote of commonsense, very reasonable. WWG1WGA to KAG

@

Get a Quote-a-Day!

Liberty Quotes sent to your mail box daily.