Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-12-20
PRESIDENTIAL ELEcTToN

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
Having, "a my last paper, at attempted to prove
that Virginia had AS good right to give another
resident % the union, as any other state shall
now proceed to examine the qualifications of the
candidates for that highly important station and
as Mr.. Monroe is the only one whom have vet
seen publicly announced, shall in this number
endeayor to point out his services and exhibitthe
claims he has to the suff ages of his countrymen
The honorable JAMES MoxnoE was born, it is
believed, in the Spring of 1883 Having recev-
ed the best education which the state of science
IN this country then afforded, and animated by
the patriotic spirit Which glowed in the bosoms
OF the heroes f'76, he joined the American ar
my as atieutenant in the third Virginia regiment
soon after the battle of Long Island, being then
about 18 years of age. During the whole of the
disastrous campaign which followed, and parti-
cuisrly in the memorable retreat through the
Jerseys, Mr. Monroe highly distinguished him.
self, by his activity and by the courage and patti
ence with whlctie bore the hartlships which the
army then end ired and shortly Afterwards IN
the capture of The Hessans at Trenton, he gave
signal proofs al his vaiar, being, il is said :, the
hrst man who lad his hands on the enenly's ar
uiery. FOR his services on this occasion, he was
promoted 10 captaincy by General Washington
himselfand was soon after appointed aid decamp
to that intrepid soldier, M,ior General Lord STIR
Ing IN tie celebrated battle of Monmouth, The
| nraVefy OF Mr.. Monroe was likewise consplcu-
Gus and by the Recommendation OF the com
mander m cher to the Legislature of his native
state, he was some time ter nominated TO the
command OF regiment. But owing 10 the ex-
hausted situation OF Virginia, tie ranks OF this
| regiment could never be filed whereupon, at
The request of the Executive, colonel Monroe
IJoneu Tue southern army in the capacity of mill
tAry Commissioners, in which situation he OBJ AIMED
| universal applause. lie was scarcely returned.
when the INVASION of the south cas- ern frontier OF
V irs ma, by Generals Matthews and Leslie, once
more called HIM to the iie4l but he had on this
1 occasion, no opportunity of distinguishing HIM
sehi srid the peace winch soon after followed,
put period to hls military serv ces.
| Alter the close OF The olu,onary war, NJ :.
Monroe, believe applied hiinselftu the study OF
the law But his EN- nent services vere not for
Igotten by has fellow citizens and he was soon
called upon to serve his country IN public ca
Ipsctty- Elected to the office OF chief magistrate
oi his native state. at tune w:en party spirit
ir Sed with uncommon fury, he commenced his
administration with the most violent opposition
t. the federalsts, and closed it three years S en-
wards With The warm and universal applause OF
both political parties Indeed, such was his plu-
dent and conciliatory conduct while goyemo.',
That, on beng proposed as csnd date for a Sc
cond term, has political opponents gave hniahe r
almost unanimous support. Called IN 1895, bp
Mr. Jefferson, then president of the Unitec!
5iates, IN conj nctien with Mr.. p nckney, to the
irdnous task of adjusting our differences with
Great Britain, he succeeded in negotiating trea-
u ~ with that power: and although his efforts to
cohcliate the IL erests or the nations proved
fruitiess,as this treaty was not ratified by the
executive, yet, such was The confidence OF the
re2pbl can party in his Talents and integrity ths'
upon the dismissal ot Mr. Robert SIN IN from the
5fnce OF Secretary OF state, in 1871, Mr., Monroe
was nominated has successor II the universal APP
probation Of all Nor has ,is Conduct since
that period, disappointed the most sanguine ex-
Dec'atiens OF ms friends. During the negociatoi,
which preceded tine late rupture with Great Bril-
tam, he showed himself profound statesman and
an able politician, aad in has communications
with Mr. Foster, utterly confounied the Mschl.
tyeianism OF the British cabinet But it wasch,ef.
~ curing the continuance of the contest, that
has great abilities developed themselves. While
the enemy stormed without and fiction ragged
withhl--whe the national Golfers were empty
and the ranks of the army thinned by the fury oil
E war, and the ray,ges OF disease--while die prn
ciPal officers offs ate resigned their offices IN des
FAR, aud me n chine ofgovernment was almost
at stand-Monroe stood firm at his post and
:. infused new vIg)r ~ tie weakened arms of the
etuo,c. Ever ready 10 serve his country, we
md am a. the same time managing the foreign
II onc'tns ct the nation, and developing herreSour
? ee,--detending her rights with his pen, and as
asserting them ". h his sword. Every one recol
ioctsthe situation ofthe United States at the
lime he was placed at the head Of the War De
paFtment Oar Me ropols lay 10 ashes a bar
ptrou3 'ce, flushed with success, was advancing
: npon Bait more, while forln,d BILE naval and
military force, led y the gov general of Canada
- person, threatened to Complete our rum
Tins was the crisis of our fate The hearts o.
i the feeble sank with them; and many began ID
II 4 spair of tie rep,t)lic' But Monroe stood un
appalled, Born to- ride in the whIlwind and direct
ne s'orm,' he remained unmOved amidst the zen.
eral wreck, and recalls victory to the American
taidard Animated by his spirit, the American
sold eF lights with courage and confidence. The
enemy is repult ed from Baltimore. and the proud
Ross rolls in the dust before It's ramparts Mac.
DoNOuGu dyes The green waves OF Champa,n Will
British gore-and the oosstng Provost retires
from Piattsburg With the loss Of MS cannon, his
baggage and has fame Anxious 10 repair Their
losses, the enemy make another effort All then
dlsposabe force com handed by one Of their eblesr
commanders, apIesrs at the modth Of the AIissis
sPpi, resolved to tear the state Of Louisiana from
Tue federal union. But, JAcgsOS, defeat and
lea u await their approach and the 9Th of Jan.
i 'hry witnesses their total overthrow. The storm
OF war is soon after succeeded by the calm OF
peace and the American Eagle rePoses under the
laurcls she has won.
Il Nor is Mr. Monroe, less meritorious in private
than IN his public cIarac. er. UnOdentatiOus and
benevolent, AID free from that false pride which
IS the portion of little minds, he is calculated 10
Win the hearts Of AL. Although he has long &C.
tel m public capacity, and has ever been attach.