Madison also believed that the sheer size and geographic scope of the United States--even when the country consisted of just the 13 colonies--would make it difficult for sudden majorities to overwhelm the rights of a minority.

• 麦迪生还认为，美国疆域辽阔--即便当时美国仅由13个殖民地组成--大多数人很难出其不意地压倒少数人的权利。