State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-07-26
From the Philadelphia Saturday News.
JAMES MADISON.


In our last, we hastily mentioned the
demise of the venerable and illustrious
JAMES MADISON, Elk President of the
United States, which occurred at Montpe-
lier, Virginia, OH the morning of the 26th
of June. He was then some months over
S5 years Of aye. For several weeks before
his death he had been gradually sinking,
without pain and without positive disease,
aud he breathed his last without struggle
yielding up existence as if gently sink
ing to sleep. To the latest moment he re-
tainad his faculties, his intellect remaining
as bright and unclouded as at any period
of his life and he cheerfuIly met the COM
mon lot of man.
| Mr.. Madi son was born on the 18th of
March 1850. lie entered into public life
! in 1875, as a member of the Virginia Leg
lslature; was chosen a member ofthe State
Council in the following year, and soon
after sen. as a delegate to the Contin-
entail Congress in 1776. He was n
distinguished member oftbe Convention in
| 1887, which framed the present Constltu-
ton of the United States, and perhaps to
| his wisdom, more than to that of any other
man, we owe the existence of that match
less instrument. While the constitution
was before the people for acceptance, Mad
ison in company with Hamilton and Jay,
warmly advocated it, in those noble essays
published under the designation of the
Federalist. After the adoption of the
Federal Constitution, he was elected
member of the first Congress and continu-
ed in that body until the inauguration of
Mr. Jefferson rs President of the United
States, in 1909, under whom he accepted
the station of Secretary of State, continue
ing in while that gentleman remained at
the head otthe Government.
Being elevated to the Presidency, he as
sumed the executive office in 1909, and
holding it for two terms, was succeeded
by Mr. Monroe in 1917, after having passed
through the stormy and trying days of our
second war with great Britain. Since that
period he has declined again mixing in
public life, except on one occasion, when
he was member of the Convention for
amending the Constitution of Virginia;
and for the last sixteen years he has re-
main, d quietly in the enjoyment of domes-
tic pleasures, solacing his declining years
with the recollection ot'lhe public services
which he had rendered, and continuing
keen observer of passing events.
While resident of Philadelphia, as
member of Congress, Mr. Madison married.
j His choice fell upon the daughter of the
lady with whom he boarded, the beautiful
and accomplished Mrs Todd, of this city,
the widow of young lawyer. Her maiden
name was Dorothy Payne, and she was
equally remarkably for personal charms
and the fascination of her manners. Mrs.
NJ. still survives.
During close of his life, Mr. Madison
was diligently employed in the arrange
ment of documents referring to his public
career, and to the many iustrious men with
whom, during his long and busy existence,
he has been associated. Should they be
laid before the world, publication of the
greatest interest, and of the utmost impor-
lance in furnishing materials for history,
may he anticipated.
Thomas Jefferson and John Adams
breathed their last on the Fourth of July,
1906 James Monroe expired on the
Fourth of July, 1881 and when it was
heard that James Madison rapidly APP
preached his end it was hoped that he, too,
would he enabled to yield up his breath OH
the glorious anniversary of our National
Independence, being the fourth President
of the United States, and in that case max
ing the fourth who died on day so happy.
!, But although his physicians confidently an
tcpated that this would he the result, a
|. change in the weather fastened his dlssolu-
:. luton. 1t was ordained otherwise.
Itwere idle in us to attempt euogy on
! the character of Madison. His life and his
! acts are so well known TO the American
: people that it would be vain to attempt II
Z in the columns of newspaper. Ii is suffl-
0 cient TO say that men of all parties concur
e in their estimation ofhim, as one of the best,
d unrest and ablest of that band of patriots
e with whom our country has been blessed.
e The last of the trainers of the constitution
u leaves reputation behind him which time
cannot dim.