Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-02-21
PRESIDENT MADISON

To the editor Of the National .8drpcote.
| SiR-Shouid you accord IN sentiment, as to the
character here delineated, of our chief magistrate
Mr. MADISON, You will please give it a place in
your paper.
CHARACTER OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE
UNITED STATES.
yhe has any enemies, hheyar only such as ar,
Arrays soeG'y Of hearing Of .7ri.tidss the justn
| [CHEsrERFIELp.
| DESTINED for the bar, the youth of Madison was
consecTated to the laborious studies of that voca
1 ton At the age of % years he commenced his
career public life, always occupying. with su
perior talents and fidelity, the most conspicuons
places in the gift of his fellow-citizens. When
member OF congress, the vigor of his mind. the
wisdom OF his views, and the force and facility ~
his eiocution, gave him, for many years. arreat
ascendency IN that sanctuary of freedom His
style is chastei his logic concise, cogcnt and inn
pressIve. He argue, without acrimony-repIies
without anger-exhibiting tirmness without obsti.
Inacy-noderation without weakness, and Justice
without severity.
Raised TO the dignity of Secretary of State by
the sagacious Jefferson, he reconciied all parties
by his precedent and enlightened patriotism -
Called by discerning and admiring people to the
presidency, lie so highly justified their Honorable
cheice, mat at the Stated period they eagerly re
newed their suftrages minis favor. Nothing can
DC more wise, more righteous than his admins.
tration. His policy is as frank and as faithful as
ms character, dlsdaining and stunning all state
craft, all the subtleties and wiles of diplomacy
NJ once cautious and sincere, he does not feel
Obliged to say all he thinks, though he would
scorh to utter what he does not thiIk--nor is his
language ambiguous. A stanger to intrigue. he
knows nothing OF deceit and artifice, but to guard
against them. His views are great; his promis.
es sacred ms intentions pure, and the inflexlble
integrity of his mind 10 equaIled ONLY bv the
man N>'
In the intercourse of private life, hisnatiye can.
dor, warm and generous feelings, liberal and Gle.
vated sentiments, captivate and secure the affec.
ton and veneraton Of all who are SO fortunate as
TO approach aud know him. Laborious and indie
tatgable, simple in his manners, in his taste and
IN his dress he may be said to resemble. in these
and IN many other particulars, the sages of anti.
putty.
He has now reached his fifty-seyer,th ve,r bn,
wearied by habitual vigilance The lneaments oflia
lace have contracted a cast ofrefection and seye.
rity' winch gives him the appearance of = more
advanced age. 1t 10 only in those moments OF re-
TAXATION, when, by an effort, he disengapes him.
selffron the arduous duties of his exalted station
mat has stern brow dilates, his physiognomy be-
comes animated, and the estirnabe trait. of his
snciai character beam upon us, inyigor ating and
I-...,- - " SuO' ueSree, Dy variety Of lis
knoWledge, the lustre ofhIs wit, and The point of
ms anecdote, that we are sstonished to find this
great statesman and wise administrator endowed
W'tn as much affabilIty and vivacity in pryate
circles, as dignity and serenity in public life
ms 10 our SdeherI, an illustrious successor Of
i've immortal WAsa,EoTos The GLORIOUS events
OF hls admmistration will form a distingulshed
epoch N the page Of American history; from his
completing and consolidating, with bis firm and
PowerIul hand the elifce raised by his prede.