THE WAR OF 1812
Madison's presidency was not without problems. In particular, the British seizing of American ships was something that he could not resolve diplomatically. Instead, he pushed for war, and the U.S. eventually invaded Canada (then still a British colony), in what became known as the [[War of 1812]]. That war saw the seizing of Detroit by Canada, and the burning of Washington, D.C. by the British. In hindsight, the War of 1812 is often viewed as a mistake, but at the time the [[Federalist party]]'s opposition to the War (and to Madison's [[Democratic-Republican party]]) led to the Federalists being viewed as "unpatriotic" and "anti-American," and the party disbanded soon after the next election year.
MADSION ON SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE
Madison, along with his fellow Democratic-Republican [[Thomas Jefferson ]] (and unlike Conservapedia), was adamant in maintaining a [[Separation of church and state]]: "The experience of the United States is a happy disproof of the error so long rooted in the unenlightened minds of well-meaning Christians, as well as in the corrupt hearts of persecuting usurpers, that without a legal incorporation of religious and civil polity, neither could be supported. A mutual independence is found most friendly to practical Religion, to social harmony, and to political prosperity." (Letter to F.L. Schaeffer, Dec 3, 1821)
"Is the appointment of Chaplains to the two Houses of Congress consistent with the Constitution, and with the pure principle of religious freedom? In the strictness the answer on both points must be in the negative. The Constitution of the U. S. forbids everything like an establishment of a national religion. The law appointing Chaplains establishes a religious worship for the national representatives, to be performed by Ministers of religion, elected by a majority of them; and these are to be paid out of the national taxes. Does not this involve the principle of a national establishment, applicable to a provision for a religious worship for the Constituent as well as of the representative Body, approved by the majority, and conducted by Ministers of religion paid by the entire nation?" (Detached Memoranda, circa 1820).