[Tandem]

Thank you to everyone. This is exactly what I was looking for. I was a little surprised that the reference wasn't to America, but to democracy in general. The thinking certainly fits, though.

[Mears]

Thanks to you for asking for this info..It's a keeper for me.

[mrsmith]

The issue was addressed on June 26 at the Constitutional Convention during debate over the form of the Senate.

Mr. Madison... "In framing a system which we wish to last for ages, we shd. not lose sight of the changes which ages will produce.
An increase of population will of necessity increase the proportion of those who will labour under all the hardships of life, & secretly sigh for a more equal distribution of its blessings. These may in time outnumber those who are placed above the feelings of indigence. According to the equal laws of suffrage, the power will slide into the hands of the former.
No agrarian attempts have yet been made in in this Country, but symtoms, of a leveling spirit, as we have understood, have sufficiently appeared in a certain quarters to give notice of the future danger..."