The Park University Political Science and History departments commemorated Constitution Day, which was Sept. 18, by hosting the famous founding father James Madison – or rather his impersonator, Dr. Bill Worley. The event was held at the McCoy Meetin’ House.

Dr. James Pasley, chair of the political science department, started the event by introducing, “Direct from Virginia, President James Madison.”

James Madison was the fourth President of the United States of America. He is widely regarded as the Father of the Constitution. Constitution Day also known as Citizenship Day is a federally mandated holiday that recognizes the adoption of the United States constitution and those who have acquired US citizenship. Colleges and Universities that receive federal grant or aid are required to observe the day.

Worley stayed in character for almost 30 minutes. He gave a speech that highlighted his thoughts on the Constitutional convention in 1787.

“In that long hot summer”, James Madison represented Virginia at the convention. The speech was also peppered with his thoughts on governance during his presidency and his relationship with other famous figures in early America like Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson.

Dressed in the garb of the time, Worley gave a historically accurate performance. When the speech was finished, questions were addressed to Madison. It was only when Worley was satisfied there were no more questions for Madison that he removed the wig and permitted questions for him, Worley.

Worley is a Professor of History at the Metropolitan Community College. He has been performing as a Madison impersonator for several years. He told the crowd he got started when the bicentennial anniversary of Lewis and Clark was coming up in 2004. He knew that he could not do Meriwether Lewis because he died quite young at 35. Worley settled on Madison because he has always been fascinated by him.

Worley said Madison was the most intellectual of the founding fathers and the speech was given in a mostly dry, almost monotonous tone. The fourth President was not known for whipping up a crowd, according to Worley. However, there were a few moments of humor. James Madison as portrayed kept harping on the theme of paper money. He did not believe in paper money, he believed in hard currency.

He found Alexander Hamilton’s, the first US Secretary of the Treasury, idea of a national bank that was a credit lending institution distasteful. He did not want the United States sinking into debt. Worley in character said, “I hope you folks have not gotten into such a situation.”

Mizanjara Mahatohitrarivo, a political science major, said she attended because she thought it was going to be interesting especially given US interest in constitution.

“It is amazing how American people still value their constitution,” said Mahatohitrarivo.

She also said that the value of the constitution is not really appreciated in her home country of Madagascar. The constitution has been changed so many times, Mahatohitrarivo said, that she does not know who ratified it.

Samuel Peak, political science major, said he came because he wanted “an opportunity to talk with one founder of the Constitution.”

Mahatohitrarivo also had asked James Madison character why he supported slavery during the event. Madison confessed he had mixed feelings about the issue. He called it “a balancing act.”

Madison was a slave owner – he inherited slaves from his father. He did not know how he could take care of Dolly his without slaves. Still, Madison had provided money for a society that was trying to relocate freed slaves to Africa by buying land there. Madison did not also believe slaves were economically productive.