The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-05-04
JAMES MADISON.

or tho Iamented patriot and statesman, JAMES MADi-
SON il remarked TO the first President Of Tho
Unled States, How does il happen, sir, that do
not observe the name Of Me- Madison among the APP
pontnents OF foreign ambassadors selected 10 ill
an Important situation under the home government
This seeming omission appears the strange from
the friendship and attachment that is well known
snhsst between Mr.. Madison and Yourself"
WASHING ROY replied " As to foreign embassy. the
best IL gi Of the Executive (they were ia those
days. England France. and Span) have been rendered
Mr. Madison over and again. while his extreme
repugnance TO sea voyage renders his going abroad
Of the question, and. as to the home appointments,
there is not one that would he deemed worthy OF MIR.
M.dlson's acceptance that he does not well know is,
and from the commencement Of the government always
has been, enIiIrly at his service"
Twas during a time Of considerable political excite
mcnt that Mr. Madison had large dinner party. OF meme
beers Of Congress and others The conversation took
rather free turn aud public men and public. measures
were discussed without reserve Mr.. Madison held up
his hand aud remarked: Pause, gentlemen, If you
please. While admit that, in republican country
like oars. the acts Of public from the hghes, TO tn
lowest are alike open TO fair aud liberal investigation
permit 10 say that the personal character Of General
Washington, his eminent virtues, and matchlcss ser
vices 10 his country, must, under roof, always be
treated with the most profound respect"
During the latter days Of the venerable sage Of Mont
peer, he was wont to delight his numerous guests with
relations VI hygone men and things. Speaking OF orr
happy CONSTITUTION Ia distinguished pcrsoia9e ne re-
marked: After the peace Of 1888, we in great
confusion in poliaes respects II was agreed on all
hands that old ysem would do longer and many
Of the best and the land became the advocates
Of national system Of pol,ty the States Of the
old Confederation to cede certain powers To General
Government, SO to form Legislature, Executive,
aud Jdlc AIRY fnr the Uuion. But how 10 organize
convention to form Constitution for the Govern
mrht, when so many conflicting Interests sectional and
otherwise, we're ~ tho way matter oi no Ordinary
difficulty. All eyes turned towards HIM, who, re-
tired from The great Of the Revolution.
Jo,lng well earned repose amid the shades Of Mount
Vernon. Could we bur enroll the name Of WASHING.
TON among the delegates a convention under such
favored auspices in the formation OF
government was certain And. yet, il seemed ungeuc-
RUS, nay. almost unknd. SOON call this ilus,rous
cnzeu iron his beloved retirement after his mighty la
bars lnthe war Of Independence. An application
made To him through highly confidential medium; it
was respectfully received, but at once declined. No
thug dsnned returned to the charge; and every
one knu"s. hnaIly succeeded. The patriot could
resist the united call Of his conntrymen. He repaired
IN Philadelphia, AMI presided IN the convention The
Constitution was formed, and aterward, adopted by
the States and thus did the geeal aud character
OF Washington In peace as IN shed the happy
and benign nt fences upon the destnies Of his coun
iv - rrOm 8 hs CusH Rscousctons anil i'rtsaie
Memoirs Of The LIFE and Ciaracter Of Wlstiagtoa."