To the press alone, chequered as it is with abuses, the world is indebted for all the triumphs which have been gained by reason and humanity over error and oppression.

He served as a politician much of his adult life. Like most of his contemporaries Madison changed his political views during his life. As president (1809–17) after the failure of diplomatic protests and a trade embargo against Great Britain he led the nation into the War of 1812.