There is much talk these days about our U.S. Constitution. There is not as much talk about the “Father of the Constitution” as James Madison is known. He is, after all, the one who got the framers together to amend the Articles of Confederation. And that took some doing. George Washington didn’t want to attend—he didn’t think it could be successfully accomplished!

But Madison wouldn’t take “no” from his good friend and fellow Virginian. He knew there was no possibility of success at the convention without the most important man in the colonies in attendance. George finally relented and came, and was voted in as the President of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.

At the conclusion of that hot summer, it was successful. The Constitution was accepted and signed by those in attendance. Madison had brought together the right men, the right plan, and at the right time to do what needed to be done.

Madison wrote about the new government: “The aim of every political constitution is, or ought to be, first to obtain for rulers men who possess most wisdom to discern, and most virtue to pursue, the common good of the society; and in the next place to take the most effectual precautions for keeping them virtuous whilst they continue to hold their public trust.” (as quoted in “Founding Fathers—Uncommon Heroes”, page 211, by yours truly.