James Madison University - Index

James Madison University - Liberty & Learning - Index

piedmont, princeton, and an educated citizenry
of retirement as well as the opportunity to focus his attention on matters of personal
priority rather than public want. It would provide the added benefit of
allowing him to devote more time to his friendship with Thomas Jefferson, and
he became a frequent and welcome visitor, along with Dolley, to Monticello.
With the return to peace and the inauguration of a new president, there came
a surge in nationalism, patriotism, and pride throughout the country. Nativeborn
American writers and artists, including James Fenimore Cooper, Washington
Irving, and Thomas Cole, celebrated and glorified this time. Thousands
of settlers migrated westward with the onset of manifest destiny, and President
James Monroe encouraged local manufactures, domestic prosperity, and economic
growth. Despite the perceived domestic tranquility, the dangers of sectionalism
and political discord had not been altogether eliminated due to the
pernicious reality of chattel slavery. Madison’s traditional faith, optimism, and
vision for the American republic remained steadfast in this new era, however, and
he hoped to promote an educated citizenry to protect its continued well-being.
Madison became a willing ally of Thomas Jefferson in his efforts to advance the
cause of public education in Virginia through the establishment of a new university.
Madison wrote of the importance of this mission in 1822.
Learned Institutions ought to be favorite objects with every free people. They
throw that light over the public mind which is the best security against crafty &
dangerous encroachments on the public liberty. They are the nurseries of skilful
Teachers for the schools distributed throughout the Community … They multiply
the educated individuals from among whom the people may elect a due portion
of their public Agents. 39
The proposed university that Jefferson and Madison favored would have no
affiliation with any religious sect. It would be dedicated to what Jefferson referred
to as “the illimitable freedom of the human mind” 40 and a bastion of enlightenment
principles.
Through his masterful skill and creativity as a mathematician, Jefferson was able
to convince the Virginia state legislature to finance the proposed college in Charlottesville.
His cryptic calculations allegedly proved his hometown to be the geographical
and demographic center of the state. A governing board of trustees was
formed that included three American presidents—Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe.
Meetings of this governing board were held with regularity at both Monticello
and Montpelier to plan the curricula and hire the professors. The college was con-
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