"War should only be declared by the authority of the people, whose toils and treasures are to support its burdens, instead of the government which is to reap its fruits"

In this quote, James Madison is emphasizing the significance of the people's participation in declaring war. He thinks that it should not be exclusively the decision of the government, however rather a collective decision made by the individuals who will eventually bear the burdens of war. Madison argues that the federal government, which will gain from the results of war, ought to not have the sole authority to declare it. Instead, individuals who will be compromising their time, resources, and potentially their lives, should have a say in the decision. This quote highlights the concept of democracy and the value of the people's voice in matters of war.