PDA

View Full Version : Executive Echos - Madison


Chief Executive
12-22-2005, 04:57 PM
From James Madison's First Inaugural Address March 4, 1809:

Under the benign influence of our republican institutions, and the maintenance of peace with all nations whilst so many of them were engaged in bloody and wasteful wars, the fruits of a just policy were enjoyed in an unrivaled growth of our faculties and resources. Proofs of this were seen in the improvements of agriculture, in the successful enterprises of commerce, in the progress of manufacturers and useful arts, in the increase of the public revenue and the use made of it in reducing the public debt, and in the valuable works and establishments everywhere multiplying over the face of our land.

From James Madison's Second Inaugural Address March 4, 1813:

Our nation is in number more than half that of the British Isles. It is composed of a brave, a free, a virtuous, and an intelligent people. Our country abounds in the necessaries, the arts, and the comforts of life. A general prosperity is visible in the public countenance. The means employed by the British cabinet to undermine it have recoiled on themselves; have given to our national faculties a more rapid development, and, draining or diverting the precious metals from British circulation and British vaults, have poured them into those of the United States. It is a propitious consideration that an unavoidable war should have found this seasonable facility for the contributions required to support it. When the public voice called for war, all knew, and still know, that without them it could not be carried on through the period which it might last, and the patriotism, the good sense, and the manly spirit of our fellow-citizens are pledges for the cheerfulness with which they will bear each his share of the common burden.

JVO
12-22-2005, 05:03 PM
Interesting!

Madison's first quote seems to tout the importance of peace. His second (which I assume was during the War of 1812) was all about kickin' British ars. I guess being attacked will change your mind on the importance of peace.

matty
12-28-2005, 01:34 PM
So welcome to the board, Chief!

Where ya from?

withoutcanseco
12-28-2005, 03:49 PM
he's george bush, junior. from the white house, washington, D.C.