TOW #7 – “No. 10: The Same Subject Continued” from The Federalist Papers

James Madison, also known as the “Father of the Constitution,” made significant contributions to The Federalist Papers, valuable documents that served to defend the United States Constitution shortly after it was created (“James Madison”). Along with Alexander Hamilton and James Jay, Madison sought to defend the newly-created Constitution, which encompassed ideas of republicanism, as well as democracy. Arguably one of the most influential essays in The Federalist Papers was Madison’s “No. 10: The Same Subject Continued.” In this text, Madison used two prominent rhetorical devices, metaphors and hypophora, to defend the arguments made by the Constitution. While explaining the relationship between liberty and disunity, Madison stated, “Liberty is to faction what air is to fire, an aliment without which it instantly expires” (Hamilton 73). Madison, comparing faction to fire, claimed that while taking away liberty would destroy any chance for disunity, liberties must be protected and factions supported in a republic. By comparing this removal of rights to extinguishing a fire, Madison appeals to pathos in his audience, encouraging them to keep the noble flame of revolution alive. Furthermore, Madison employs hypophora in his essay to answer critical questions that would have been asked in the historical context in which The Federalist Papers was written. Madison asks, “Does it, in fine, consist in the greater obstacles opposed to the concert and accomplishment of the secret wishes of an unjust and interested majority,” to which he responds, “Here again the extent of the Union gives it the most palpable advantage” (Hamilton 78-79). Madison is essentially claiming that the republic established by the Constitution will support all persons beyond the majority of the population, which was a large motivating factor for the Revolution to occur in the first place. By defending this principle, Madison shows that the Constitution is representative of what the people wanted from a new government following British rule. Because Madison used logical reasoning to support his claims, and with the incorporation of rhetorical devices like metaphors and hypophora, Madison effectively argued in favor of the Constitution, assisting in the adoption and acceptance of the document as a governing entity.

Works Cited

Hamilton, Alexander et al. “No. 10: The Same Subject Continued.” The Federalist Papers, Edited by Clinton Rossiter, Signet Classics, United States, NY, 2003, pp. 71–79.

“James Madison's Contribution to the Constitution.” America's Library, Library of Congress, www.americaslibrary.gov/aa/madison/aa_madison_father_2.html.