Question

James Madison declared, “Liberty may be endangered by the abuses of liberty as well as the abuses of power.” This statement reflected a concern that public liberty might endanger private liberty. Carefully analyze this concern. Why might some Americans take this view? Which liberty was more valued? How did the final Constitution reflect this concern?

Answer 1

One example where the quote would apply if you removed the term limit on senates and the years a term lasts. If it wasn't limited there would be concern that people might become something like aristocracy and that they would be there their entire lives, keeping a tight grip on country leading. That's why constitutional provisions were introduced that limit the term length and number of terms, which to some degree is limiting liberty of people because they can't run indefinitely even if elected, but on the other hand it prevents the possibility from there being a tyranny one day.