“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
From a four-step plan to undermine and defeat federal programs in 1788, to a duty to interpose in 1798 – and nullification as a natural right in 1834 – James Madison saw the states and people as essential checks on federal power. Path to Liberty: July 13,...
Opponents of nullification often cite James Madison – author of the Virginia Resolutions of 1798 – as conclusive evidence that the doctrine is unconstitutional and should never be used in any situation. They primarily use his own words in 1830-1835 –...
