Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-08-09

I",;t, n 7rncrring the acceptance of the people
might have rested the evidence o. wtii eT ~ Ill.,
ner The ni;p;Gn nf the Federal Constitution he CON
r;n,od IN .srr ri. rouIry Far period OF nearly tnrty
vc,Ts in tmurcss ia the Legislature o! the state, al
The head of Tie Dspartncn, OF State, cno as Ch'et MA
gistraie of the Union. ;, ,,,n
our Impressions cf his activity and influence, TO noce
the mporantngency which lie mad in the settlement -
the numerous subjects which claHted the mmee'al T;
ten,on of Congress under the new government, rre
however docs permit. But suggested y! Nv -
rinas narrative, and illustrating his great H.
redeem the Constitution from Just otJecson, .! ,ow
ing against tic danger Of prrverting or F,s, he
ers il should be mentioned that, al the hst s,
;n,,s.s ,J o.;d - nrooosition for its amendment,
nv the addition q several Few articles i"e rpr
ton was ratified by the legislatures % WI, ~ ,;,n,
the States and thus made part OF 'ne I ;i
4 later and set more menorao'e ilS'''|S " r n.
ul; sor;c. ,,s the Resolutions Of 70, e'td TIE hepnl
Of 90 kpowg as Madison Resolutions sRa report re
hsd tacn lore admired author and advocate OF the
CONSTITUTION but was then 10 appear in the new oharac-
ter oc commentator, and mparally to un!oe 'tsn
inn and ,6nc the Limits of the authority u the govern
uen, II al period of OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OF
deep import distracted the public councils and agtaled
the peoples and in the opposing divisions, either side
were many Of those who had assisted in laying the oun-
daons of civil fabrics. At that critical Jrncure:
the public mind Of his State in condition of Pecu'
liar eXacerbaton he called aore to the Legs'
laure, TO his benign influence in composing popu-
lar uneasness and the Constitution ioiR Gas
was believed) imminent peril.
The manner in which he met the occasion aud dispos-
ed Of the grave subject marked era in the politics
of the country. So conspicuous the elevation OF
his character, and suci Ike grace Of dis modest and un-
assuming department, that those who dtssn.ee from ms
conclusions, less than those who 1UiloWee IN es
lead paid him the homage due to superior wsdoRnHd r
tue No state paper has appeared which has
general and wide spread influence over public oplh!
the Report Of 49, and is yet referred to as auhor,
BY number, which the course OF public measures .sas
perpeualY enlarged If State pride Re!ires Us
to believe our cherished Commonwealth has had, and
trust still has, high character villa @er sister States
for just comprehension % tie CONSTITUTIONS and devotion
to its principles, The envahe distinction Is to be ascribcd
insne small degree to Madison and his celebrated Report
Mr.. Madison Secretasy Of State al period when
the diplomatic relations Of the government we're cspe
ciay critical and unsettled And S'herke was sdranc
ed to that higher station, the highest TO WHICH his coun
try could elevate him, pledge of her Affection and
the proof Of her reliance upon his wisdom, the admins
traon Of the sgnaiy arduouS aad res
ponsibe For his administration was reserved to com
nit the 10 that last and seVcrest OF all trials,
war-wilh nation srorg in be. resources and proud
in her military .renoHR.
There were diycrsities Of opinion and coetcntons
among public in respect TO points i'll his admnlsra
ton, there had been III respect to all those which had
preceded him. The charities of this occasion forbid al
3usep to party irunphS. But though may not aude
such TOPICS may speak CT facts tibet notorious
ard not less true, than they Tie occasion Of
graduation with all parties None hesitate bear their
grateful testimony 10 the signal purity and simplicity
OF the Chief Magistrate. Ill admit that the which
it his fortune TO declare and better fortune 10 ter
inmate, elevated the government to proud eminence IN
Che view Of the world, and invested the Of
American citizen with title consideration and
respect All. as they look back upon the ra's through
which he conducted the government, SAFELY only
but with honor. feel an unwonted glow of devotion to
sheir country aud her institutions. As one Of on, Chief
Magistrates the memory Of Madison ayiii be honored
long as the glory o. the country is any part o its
concern.
Looking back upon his long career n public service as
ho from
eponsbe, what is there waGtiag to com ete his title to
be considered the beneaco1 Of his country-W ha! TO
secure the fame 10 which patriot may aspire, and G
patriot reward? On what occasion tie unequal TO
the e1gency, and what state eXgency did he
ter? When his career commenced you without
ConsuoD-yoIr Government without &utilortv-a md
the times portenouS oil instant and fearful disco-
sures Aided by his comrat!ote he gave you Consti-
tutiHn an efficient Government and Union-and with
these he added what, in peculiar and emphatic sense,
his own, the example oan upright and conscientious
funconary. None imputed the existence ola self
iSh lEercenary, lacticus nove-or comflaincd
that he wilfu end had ds7egarGed the public in.
terest-or impatient and had mistaken it. The scrnpu.
sous regard to the minuest proprety, which
spcuous IN his private relations, exhibited in al! his
official nets Sensible that institutions have other
foundation than the attachment and confidence of the
people, he eHdeavosed to confirm their confidence and
attachment by tie mid, impri conscientious ard dig
ntied in which he administered the powers with
which he invested.
The last public scene in which he appeared, pass
ed in Immediate view. You well remember the
venerable appearance of the venerable The
spirit Of earlier days glowing in his aged bosom he
came up to assist the OF another sepcrStioD in
revising and amending their Constitution Wlial could
be more lovely and Impressive than tie spectacle The
patriarch Of tie landtbe object of universal affection
and benedichon returned to the sbors which distinguish
ed him in the infancy of the Repubic The interest OF
the occasion derived additional soemny from the union
with him Of two others, alike the relics of former age;
memorable for herarley and extent Of their public ser
nd lla
Mere than forty ycatc had interviewed since they last
met in conrenIion-again they ,Get in oavention for
the last time, mutually esteemed snG honored by one
another.
mus closed the public life Of the aged Madison-the
end ia pesfect harmony with the beginning. lie had
occupieG the sskest stations to which citizen may
pre- and possessed influence, that The personal consi
deraton in which he held carried beyond the limits
Of official importance; but such his unaffected mo-
desty he seemed unconscious OF his honors, and con-
eerned about nothing hut his duties. The example
ola hsh functionary scarcely less important than his
official acsthe and alterations of private CT
zen at most hut disturb the current OF public sentiment
whilst those Of leading TEND to corrNpt the foun
tain Madison conspicuous for grace propriey and
dignity, less than for clear and thorough compehen
sion Of the complicated and arduous subjects Of civil
policy, end the ability and cEcrgy Of his labos On
the various theatres that broaght hun connection and
often Ia collision with the FIRST of the age, than
which age has been illustrated byG greater variety
and spendor of endowment: moral and intellectual he
displayed capacity for public business winch always
placed him in the first rank and the admiration which
his talents attracted mingled with respect and esteem
foI his virtues 1t the disnterested and chastened
public spirit Of which his daily life was the Witness
that fitted him for the snguas success which aeaded
his efforts and gave him power 10 prevail over ninds
pre- occupied with opposing opinions. 1t iisposs-
BILE to see him without being struck by his modest and
unpretendng manner, which in measure corcealed
his talents and virtues, TO meet him in private
without being cheered and enlightened by his pre-
10 ,Ne1 tbo nishe E.piI-1
las that support the nobcst fabric which has
structedand often admire it's beauty, and g!o-
~ in its being the strength and ornament Of our land
should think of the accomplished and devoted artist
and If p,nar 10 nj .n,;neu mn