Ratification

In the founders’ words

• “Each State, in ratifying the Constitution, is considered as a sovereign body, independent of all others, and only to be bound by its own voluntary act.” James Madison, The Federalist No. 39 (1788-01-16)
• “On what principle the Confederation, which stands in the solemn form of a compact among the States, can be superseded without the unanimous consent of the parties to it? What relation is to subsist between the nine or more States ratifying the Constitution, and the remaining few who do not become parties to it? The first question is answered at once by recurring to the absolute necessity of the case; to the great principle of self-preservation; to the transcendent law of nature and of nature's God, which declares that the safety and happiness of society are the objects at which all political institutions aim, and to which all such institutions must be sacrificed.” James Madison, The Federalist No. 43 (1788-01-23)
• “Col. MASON considered a reference of the plan to the authority of the people as one of the most important and essential of the Resolutions. The Legislatures have no power to ratify it. They are the mere creatures of the State Constitutions, and can not be greater than their creators.” James Madison, Madison's Notes of Debates in the Federal Convention, July 23, 1787 (1787-07-23)

Public-domain primary sources, quoted word for word and checked against the linked text.

Cite this page

Values for America Constitution Explorer, https://www.valuesforamerica.com/constitution (text: National Archives transcription, public domain), Article VII, https://www.valuesforamerica.com/constitution/article-7

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