At first view it might seem not to square with the republican theory, to suppose either that a majority have not the right, or that a minority will have the force to subvert a government . . . . But theoretic reasoning in this, as in most other cases, must be qualified by the lessons of practice.
James MadisonIn Republics, the great danger is, that the majority may not sufficiently respect the rights of the minority.
James MadisonThe latent causes of faction are thus sown in the nature of man; and we see them everywhere brought into different degrees of activity, according to the different circumstances of civil society.
James MadisonI go by the great republican principle, that the people will have the virtue and intelligence to select men of virtue and wisdom [to the offices of government].
James MadisonLandholders ought to have a share in the government to support these invaluable interests and check the other many. They ought to be so constituted as to protect the minority of the opulent against the majority.
James Madison