Madison the Activist

Madison was a man wh0 believed that agriculture was “the surest basis of our national happiness, dignity, and independence.” He declared himself a “farmer” and was the obvious choice to become president of the Albemarle society. He had always discussed the importance of agriculture with his family and friends. Both Jefferson and he obliged to a “constitution” for its very purpose years earlier. In May 1818, as President of the Agriculture society of Albemarle, Virginia, Madison gave a speech that made him one of the most respected farmers in America and would place him at the forefront of conservation in America for decades to come. His speech was the most progressive agricultural publications over the past decades and came from his own observations and experiences at Montpelier.  It addressed and discussed all that was wrong with American agriculture and the steps that can be taken to improve the future of America’s agriculture. Most importantly Madison called for a change and explanation of “symmetry of nature.” Madison wanted people to respect the earth and the soil they were dealing with, if not, people would destroy their soil and crops over the next few years. Madison advocated that soil erosion has a devastating effect and was fatally flawed. He was a present day activist and condemned deforestation and while promoting crop rotation.

Also in this chapter, Wulf discusses Madison’s treatment of his slaves and the importance of how he treated them like they were human beings instead of property.  The “village” which consisted of six small buildings and two rows situated around a yard were by present day standards extremely better than what many slaves were living in. Madison had created a model village that was part of the landscape design. It represented nothing but virtuous industry and paternalistic care.