Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-09-19

I
pFodi6Ai the rep; oaci. cast upon their pub
nc conduct, no one laid TO ,heir door a
single act desngatory 10 the purest inteeri-
~. Men, neither ai;iuent or poor, their
department was equally free from The ar
rogance oil wealth and the meanness os
poverty. from The hunIble ground of UNI
assuming citizenship, thcy had risen To
ihe hssi distinctions in iheir respective
states by the eXcrtiuns Of lhei. own talents.
IL Is not surprising that the nation, with
conspicuous JOY, welcomed lie induction
ol such men into Office.
1t VIII not be Improbable to dwell a
lew moments more OH this branch Of our
subject.
OF all the tluties assigned 20 execu,;ve
agents those attached to the department
o. state are the most nportan,. From
'hei peculiar nature they require mind,
no. only oil the hrst hstre, but likewise
ore regulated by habtual prudence. lie
VINO discharges them should. moreover.
De possessed OF the Public confidence. A
man, more eniinently comb ming these
quahhcauons' Was not, perhaps, 10 be.
ionud than Madison. Devoted Crcrn his
earliest years 10 the public servic. he had
diligently improved his time by mipel;np-
inc EXERCISES ithe closet with i've duties.
Ohieitered BY any profession, and regard.
less of wealth the whole yiu.r Of a rid.
imoued with great natural acuteness, had
been unintrrruptsdly di,ecied to political
researches. Having occupied, fyr several
years, a scat IN the old Congress, he was
namsdGy his native state member of,be
INDUSTRIOUS body that formed the Constitute
on, u"der which we row live. Ia This no,
dy, III which many distinguished men
were satisfied with the silent co.oo.ra,iop
OF Vot!ng, Madison outstripped Ill compe-
utIon. The splendor Of this triumph can
only be appreciated by rccolle6li 2 that
among his coadlutoys were a UankIin,S
Hamilton, Wilson, King, and Dick.
inson. This superiority arose. no less
rom me penei ration OF his genius, the
Soundness OF his judgment AID lie cxten.
aiveness OF his Information, than from the
candor o. his mind and the Cancellation Of
his temper. These attachments earned
him leading agency in the formation OF
the Constitution, greater part Of Which
is ascribed 10 him tlIan 10 any other rlem-
ber Of the body.
II viii BE- recolIe@ed that when tb;s
constitution appeared il received violent
opposition. Among those who met and
repeiied ibis opposition Madison was the
foremost. His pen and his voice were
actively engaged in It's defence. In his
own state. he had to contend with the
thunder OF tb% most eloquent man Of A.
merica' supported as ir was feared, bv a
majority Of the Convention. The iDstru.
ment was no. without Impcrieclions they
were pointed out, aud he had not only
the magnanml;y 10 acknowledge, but the
pdtHotlsn to engage, as far az his influ-
ehce extended, to have ihem removed by
amendments. Virginia ratified the con-
su;ntion; as did the necessary number Of
states. 1t went into opci alton. Madison
not unmlnd'ul OF his promise, proposed
aid carried many OF the most important
amendments called for by the correct jeas
lousy OF the friends oflberty.
After efe6lipg this grent ubieG, lie par.
ucipaied in all the leading arrangements
ci the government. The time SOON came
III which the spirit Of parry, and with it
the spirit perse cutIou, entered thsiegisla-
Idre. He met 1t at its first onset; and
however unable 10 subdue, he resisted the:
excuses TO which it led. The memora.
bic alien and sedltion acls and The British
Treaty found no where more en,ighten-
ed or vigorous opponent. such, however,
was the iufatualion Of hose days, that his
great efforts, and those Of his co patriots
were iruiLlesa; and amb ton mcnaccd.
by daring steps, the subve sion OF liberty.
lie retired from q body o,thy Of his
virtues and talents; resolved to make one
more effort, through the medium of the
states, 10 arrest the impending Danger.
Every one remembers the celebrated rec
port and The resolutions Of the Virginia lc-
sislature on the measures OF the general
government. They are amonumen, orpro-
found al-nt& exai,cd modcr.uo ton Of firm
ncsstemperedby nil lness. They excite ON
turbulent passion. thcy aw ken 40 narrow
prejudice ; but dispassiona,eiy address the
understanding and subduc 70 by the force
of argument end truth lis was The
prodUciIpn Of Madison.--its effects were
astonishing and tits no unjust d.rocation
rom The splendid Performances that at
that period lrradiajed public op mon, ia