| Student Example James Madison MG |
As the sweat beaded down Madison's face he jumped to his feet in a furry to argue that the men of the nation do indeed want an equal religious toleration between the various sects. He knew that the colonies were founded and colonized for the sake of the religious equality. "The beatings and mobbing go on today and yet we boil in this room discussing what to do about it," he continued. The wide and wondering eyes that were watching Madison like a hawk caught his attention and he quickly rejoined his seat. Washington gasped for air as Madison sat after this explosion of anger towards religious inequality in the colonies. The heat and anxiety was over flowing in Madison as these intelligent peers broke out into laughter. Washington holding his composure said in a deep and loud voice, "now men, back to what I was saying about the Virginia Plan.
Dialogue
The air blew warm as two dear friends sat speaking to one another. They watched the ducks swim in the pond as the conversation came to a holt until Jefferson began to ask Madison questions about controversial issues.
"My dear friend James, I came to inquire of the religious in toleration that you feel so strongly towards. Inform me of the happenings in your beloved country."
Madison was taken off guard by the abrupt question but answered, "the religious in tolerance that is so inherent in the states is unbelievable. More unethical acts are committed due to conflicting religious beliefs then any other. Pride and indolence is the clergy; ignorance and servility in the laity; in both, superstition, bigotry and persecution. Religious inequality would destroy that moderation and harmony which religious liberty had produced, and transform Christian forbearance into animosities and jealousies," Madison responded "James, you must calm down if Dolly comes in and finds that I have excited you she will send me away," insisted Jefferson. But do continue on with the description of these terrible acts that are being preformed," he went on to ask.
"Well, Thomas," Madison said with his composure gained again. "I'll tell you this much, if men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: You must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place, oblige it to control itself."
Jefferson nodding his head in agreement to Madison went on to say, "it is honorable for us, to have produced the first legislature who had the courage to declare, that the reason of man may be trusted with the formation of his own opinions."
Madison after a moment of thought replied, "I flatter myself have in this country extinguished forever the ambitious hope of making laws for the human mind."
Sensory Detail
The little sick boy sat on the wooden rocky that squeaked against the bricks every time it rocked. It sounded like a frail baby cry. It was an old rocker and the wood slivers felt like nails going into your back. However, the small boy did what his mother had told him and remained seated. He looked out over his plantation, which was named Montpelier. He noticed a large black muscular man working in the fields. The boy watched as this these biceps muscles bulge when he lifted a bucket of water. The water swished around the bucket as he carried it over to the cotton plant. The plant crumbled as the heavy water was washing over its leaves. The little boy imagined the roots of this cotton plant reaching out for life and survival just like his own soul was for nutrients that gave it life. He looked down at his white and frail hands that were embracing a leather bound copy of King James version of the Bible. Although he could not reach out like those roots of the cotton plant he had found his own form of nourishment.
Rhythm
As the old white haired man stood as erect as he could he was still amazed by the beauty of his wife for the last 25 years. She glided in the old rocker which was made by his own hands the first summer of their marriage. She was crocheting a sweater for their new grandson. She sensed a gaze and moved her exquisite eyes up to find her dear husband watching her as if he were a hawk. He didn't say a word, he didn't have to he smiled and winked. She blushed as she tilted her head down while a little girl giggle slipped between her rosy lips.
She thought of all the good times they had together, all those years of laughter, pain and happiness. It seemed to fly by as does the night for two lovers. She first thought of the time that he left and went to a convention. He was gone an awful long time but it was worth it. When he returned he brought with him a broach and a new government for the thirteen colonies. She was so proud of her man. The second thing she thought of was when he went to see General Washington and then returned with him for dinner. She was unprepared and felt inadequate to host such a man with high political figure. She made light of the situation but was boiling over inside like a pot of hot stew. As she pondered these things she laughed at her husband and her. What a couple of love-birds they are!
Pace
As the young man sat crossed-legged in the desk he pondered over what his rough Scottish professor had said that day in his lecture. "Equality in all aspects of our lives." The bitter cold wind outside blew through the gaps in the window well but this didn't bother the focused student who remained seated. He desired to have his own philosophies and to figure out what he believed.
Thoughts were rushing in and out of his mind. He thought, "God is all powerful. God is good and wise. God is essential. God is the happiness of man." The student realized finally what he believed. He, himself. Not what his rich father believed. He jumped to his feet. Shouted for joy. He now was a man with his own ideas. His lungs had filled with the chilled air and he remembered the cold. He grabbed his long winter coat and ran out the heavy glass door to face the cruel world and the bitter wind that laid ahead.
Break the Rules
Up on a hill in Philadelphia in a small conference room sat 55 extremely intelligent men. They sat and discussed various philosophers views on how to organize and operate a government that would best benefit their country. One man would speak and express his ideological theories and then all 55 men would discuss their view on the issue at hand.
This type of negotiations went on for days at a time. Until one day the heavy oak door swung open. The breeze ran up their spines as they turned to see who would enter into such a place. The sexy long legs glided past the men as she proceeded to the head of the conference hall. The men taken by amazement stumbled to their feet. Some of these intelligent men even remembered to nod their head in respect to the lady. When she reached General Washington who stood in awe she turned and unraveled a long cloth. The cloth was a crimson red and stark white stripes. One corner of the cloth had 13 ocean blue stars. No one moved. All the men were in a trans by the ladies beauty. A few men looked down at the cloth but then quickly returned to her face. She flashed a smile and set the cloth in General Washington's large hands She swiftly departed as quick as she had come yet all the intelligent men remained standing for a few seconds longer. No intelligent man at this point had any words that would have described her beauty. It would not have done her justice.
Contrast
The fall leaves rattled on the limbs of the trees while the more brittle ones crunched under foot. There was a slight breeze that made it refreshing to be out in the beautiful surroundings of nature. Madison strolled down the alley with a complete peace of mind. "Today would be a marvelous day to go fishing," he thought to himself. But the closer and closer he got to his destination the more the idea of fishing drifted from his mind. There were serious matters to attend to.
He entered the building to be welcomed by Ben Franklin, in a drunken state, telling a New York delegate that he felt that the new constitution was an ideological notion, "no white male would knowingly accept this new constitution." Everyone took their seats while Madison helped Franklin to his seat in the front. The heated negotiations started.
A half an hour later one could not believe that this was the same group of men. Sweat dripped down their backs like rain in a gutter. It was hot not only in temperature but in discussion also. Then it really got out of control. A delegate from New Jersey stood with a wood cane in his hand. He raised the wood cane to strike another delegate. The first was yelling, "you are unreasonable in your notions." And other such harsh things. The other delegates rushed towards the man. But they all were too late. The New Jersey delegate already struck the man. He had already fallen to the ground in agony
Insight
James Madison is commonly referred to as "The Father of the Constitution." There is good reason for this nick-name to be given to such a man. Although, he was very young Madison headed and organized the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia of 1787. Madison with additional partnership wrote the United States Constitution. He incorporated the way the government operates and the laws that govern individuals. Madison's main focus of the constitution was to protect religions from the federal government and also from other religions.
Madison fought for religious toleration of all sects. He believed that men should be free to worship how and when they chose to. He incorporated laws that forbid the government to interfere with religions and their followers. For example, in many states an individual had to be of a certain religion to vote or have any type of political say. They would also be denied social and looked down on by other members of the community. There were more unethical behaviors that happened over religious beliefs than any other matter. Madison enforced laws against religious discrimination.
Because of Madison's great strength and perservance we today have religious equality and toleration. We may chose to worship how and when we want.
Extended Metaphor
It is natural that historians regard James Madison as "Father of the Constitution." No one was better prepared for the American Constitutional Convention, no one knew as much as he did about political science. Henry Clay described him as "cool, dispassionate, practical and safe." Our history is based on the assumptions of others interpretation, just like we looked at Henry Clay's description of Madison.
History involves discovery and interpretation. Historians are continually learning more about the past. Each historian sheds new light and interpretation on a culture that is unique to that individual.
Just as a historian are continually learning and growing so are archaeologists. Archaeologists and historians both share a fundamental purpose: they reveal a culture's inner dynamics. They each preform in their separate ways but inform and benefit society immensely. Historians might research the social part while archeologists might uncover the tombs. Both are benefital to one another in evaluating a culture.
Once years ago an old tomb was found. It was left alone and no one thought more about it. Until one day when another archeologist began to study it more in depth. He latter uncovered a whole Roman army and household buried along with this one man. The evidence of the second archeologists findings were that this man held political power. We would never have known that if the second archeologist didn't restudy the findings of interpretation of another archeologist. Historians and archeologists both find pieces of evidence from the past and when enough evidence is found then the past is put together one piece at a time.
A historian may take years researching a certain culture's history. Likewise, an archaeologist may take years to uncover a famous tomb. Once these undertakings are revealed many individuals are to benefit from their services rendered, they both in their distinct ways help form a historical based society.