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Thomas Jefferson thought that if would be a good idea for each generation
to write its own Constitution. Revisions should be made about ever 20 years
in order for the Constitution to keep pace with changes in society.
In contrast, James Madison feared such change would be too disruptive.
He held that government should assume the people's consent until the people
act to alter the Constitution.
Patrick Henry argued that Article V made it far too difficult to amend
the Constitution. He thought requiring three-quarters of the states to
ratify an amendment was undemocratic, allowing a clear majority to be thwarted
by a "contemptible minority."
Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story argued that we should view the Amendment process as a kind of safety valve, a mechanism to let off the pressurized steam that builds within the system in order to keep the great machine of government chugging along.
