A Higher Law and a Governed Government

Today, when Dad gave us our history assignment, it included the introduction to "The Anti-Federalist Papers."  It is very fascinating, and I thought I'd share these two relevant and applicable quotes:

 

 

'In another effort to resist, as Madison put it, "the maxim... that the interest of the majority is the political standard of right and wrong," many leaders sought to establish written constitutions, with their bills of rights, clear definitions of procedure, and careful limitations of power, as fundamental law, above legislative or executive authority... These solemn, deliberate acts of the people established a "higher law" that a majority of the legislature or even of the people would be forbidden to violate.'

(from "The Anti-Federalist Papers and the Constitutional Convention Debates" edited and with an introduction by Ralph Ketcham.  Pgs. 4-5)

 

 

'Madison's formulation in Federalist No. 51 made the same point: "You must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place, oblige it to control itself"—as much a need in a republic as in any other form of government.'

(from "The Anti-Federalist Papers and the Constitutional Convention Debates" edited and with an introduction by Ralph Ketcham.  Pg. 7)