Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-03-07
JANIS MADISON

JAMES MADISON
Has hid down the power with which the
people have trusted him, and is now a private
Citizen.-We part with him with regret.
which we have no wo,-ls to utter. We are rn-
able TO express the admiration, the respect.
the gratitude and love we bear him-Let no
man say, that republics are unsratefui, who
listens this day To the respectful aud tender
acclamatons, with which United America ac-
companies him to his retirement His orb
hasse temperately in the West" and the hori-
zon bazcs with the brightness of his beams;
what eve turns not to that point without affrc
ton and respect?
James Madison is, Gas John Randolph lately
declared.)" undoubtedly agreat man" lie *
more tnan that, he is good one. Scan the
politicians of this or any other are from the
first to the last act of their lives: show ms a
man who has seen much, done so much. oc
cupied such high stations and filed such ga
vast space IN the eye of the world: show rs
one man who is less corrupted BY power whose
heart is more pure than his, aud whose prin-
ciples have been less swerved by prosperity.
This is no mean compliments il is the greatest
which can be paid at the shrine of the most
brilliant political talents.
Trace James Madison from the earliest ora
of public life down to the last act of his cxpir
ed administration, and what a series of servi-
ces, what devotion tothe cause of the nation
what profound talents, what spotless utegri-
~, Is unfoided to our viewi Simpie modest
and unassumirg, yet the blaze of his talents
bursts through the veil which his modestv had
thrown over them.
II YOU would seek his life, YOU must search
foritinihe proud annals of bis country. There,
you Will find him combined with almost every
great political movement which has occurred
from his birth down to the present day-alvays
pure. always modest, always distinguished.
But youth, when lie entered The Virgaa
Assembly, he soon drew upon him the eve of
The sage and the experimentation that mo-
ment he has risen To the highest honors his
country could hestow.
\ member of the old Congress he devoted
himself 10 securing the liberties of his country
"A member of the Federal Convention. he
contributed perhaps more than any other man
IN laying the foundations of the present Con
sututiou.-As member of the Convention of
Virginia, he indicated that inStrument with
might which never can be forgotten, against all
the powers of the immortal Henry. Asa mem
ber OF the new Congress, he rose above all ri,
VARY; attempting to amend the Constitution
ana to eAPoun'i II upon the great principles
which gave II birth. As member of the Vir-
gina Legislature al 90 he again stood forth the
champion of orr rights, in that famous ReDort
which will never die. His writings as Score,
tary OF State under Jefferson, are exceeded by
no State Paper in elegance of dction or pro-
foundness of discussion.
light years ago lie was raised to the highest ho-
uors within the gilt of Il free people His admin,
lstration began with some incompetent Secre
tarics, and at an era OF the greatest foreign
ombarrassments T.; but every cloud is dispersed
MS country is raised TO the highest mich
of prosperity, and the brightest of her achieve
ments are wreathed around his name. Every
expedientw was tried for an AMIGA BILE adjustment
OF our differences but in vain James NIadi
son came out III a message that marked the
lrnness of hisspirit, 81 caledhis countrvmento
arms. The feats of those days are vet fresh in
our minds; and after some embarrassment and
some disappointment, the war terminated in
glory; the same man who recommended war
made peace !; our national history brirhtening
WIN the deeds of our warriors and orr nation.
al character elevated TO the highest pinuacle
III tue eyes of the world. From that momcnt
TO the present every thing has been calm and
happy plenty came with peace and with one
Ut two exceptions, the course of the govern
nent has been guided by the severest wisdom
such Is the man, whom we are ahouf TO mart
wlth,-great and good, distinguished and Le.
loved We are proud that lie was an Ameri
can citizen. He has lived to the honor of I'm
man nature, 20 the advancement of republican
principles, and an example TO all politicians
IS ~ possible to part with him with ordinary
feelings Go then, iliistrious citizen. To- tbe
shades winch You court; go aud enjoy the re-
collection Of a life usefuIly spent in the service
II your couatry; while that country halls Won
IS one OF the FIRST ofhersons, and one Of the 6es;
ot her benefdctors. '''