Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1801-1806, 1804-10-18

upon to advife the Prefiient in ali cafes
OF great moment, and to cooperate in
the taking efe6ual meafures in every
intereiling crilis of afairs.---From
thefe confderations, the formation of
a miniitry has been deemed under all
governments a work of the greateit
delicacy and difficulty; and 70 ardu-
Gus as TO have been reputed criterion
OF the talents of the nan at the head
of public affairs, In proportion TO
the freedom of the government. does
this difficulty increale a for, under
tree governments, it is not only he
cefary that men of talents lhould be
appointed, but likewi(e that they
lhould enjoy the confidence of the peo-
pie, without whole hearty co-opera-
ton iii impohible for fuch govern
ment to be efficient or refpe6ted.
When therefore, the chief maeir-
trate ailumed the reigns of govern
ment it was with no mifapplied folici-
tude that the nation looked forward
to the defgnation of thefe great Off
GERS Of State. Madifon was called to
preiids over the department of State,
Gallatin over the finances, Dearborn
over the war department., and Smith
over that OF the navy; while Lincoln
was named Attorney General.
All theie men entered office with
pure hands, and with reputation for
perional worth which even fufpicion,
had not dared to impeach. All of
them had acted a conlpicilous part in
the public concerns, and had thus ex-
poied themieyes TO the fevere ordeal
of party. During the whole Of this
fiery trial, inaamed by the rancour
and malice of party, however prodi-
gal the reproach cait upon the public
conduct, no one laid 10 their door fin
gle act derogatory of the pureit integ-
rity. Men, neither aflluent nor poor,
their department was equally free
from the arrogance of wealth, and the
meanne!s of poverty From the hum
BILE ground of unafuming citizenihip,
they had rilen to the fr1 dillinStions
in their refpeGive States by the exer-
tons of their own talents. 1t is not
iurpriGng that the nation, with con(pi-
cuous joy, welcomed the induction of
fuch men into office. es
1t will not be improbable to dwell
few moments more on this branch of
our fubjed.
OF all the duties aligned to 'ex-
ecutive agents, are rhole attached TO
the Department of the State, the mott
From their peculiar ma.
ture they require mind, not only of
the firit luftre, but likewife one fegu-
lated by habitual prudence. He who
them ihould, moreover, be
poaeilcd of the public confidence. "A
man, more eminently combining theie
qualifications, was not, perhaps, 10 be
found than Madifon. Devoted from
the earlielt years to the public fervice,
hehad diligently improved his time by
ming!ing the exerciies of the clofet
with active duties. Unfettered by any
protection, and regardless of wealth,
the whole vigor of mind, iu,bued
with great natural acutenefs, had been
uninterruptedly, directed to political
refcarches. Having occupied, for
feveral years, a feat in the old Con-
grels, he was named by his native State
a member of the luxurious body that
formed the Contribution, under which
we now live. In this body, in which
many diItinguilhed men were fatistied
with the filent cooperation of voting,
Madifon outitripped all competition.
The fplendor of this triumph can only
be appreciated by recolleeting that
among his coadjutors were Franklin,
a Hamilton, Wilfon, King and
Dickinlon. This fuperiority arole, no
lefs from The penetrafion of his Gen.