The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-09-14

There is no branch OF knowledge proper to an Anne
rlcan Statesman in which he not profound
adept. He had thoroughly studied the genus OF po-
pular government well IN ITS essential principles,
as IN all its great historical examples. with what
sagaclous and discriminating research he explored
the history and institutions Of the master states oil
antiquity, the Republics Of Greece and Rome, ne has
gwen TO the world proud and enduring evidence, IN
writings which will long survive him, and which pos
tery, assuredy, "wlll not willingly let die. u he
had traced and meditaed, with equal diligence and
care, the progress Of civil and political liberty among
our British ancestors and all those great social and
political eyolutions, which have changed the face Of
modern Europe, were alike familiar to his mind, IN
their causes, incidents and results and with all me
monitory and instructive lessons with which they are
richly fraught. With these preparatory lights he
made our own peculiar, happy and conn Heated sys-
TEN of popular and tederatiyc government the sub
jec of his proloundest study and as deeply i'm
bued with its spirit, he thoroughly initiated In
its principles, and Familiarity conversant with its con-
suional action. To these primary qualifications OF
all true American Craftsmanship he added that en-
larged knowledge of the sound principles Of political
economy, and Of the fundamental laws Of trade,
rency, revenue, and finance which are Indispensable
guides to enlightened practical iegslai ion. Withthc
public law OF nations, which regulates, in peace and
in war; the mutual rights and duties of civilized and
independent states, the diplomatic position he had
filled abroad with much honor TO his country and
to HIMSELF no less than his early studies, made him
intimately acquainted and TO all these civic
accomplishments and advantages, he had enjoyed the
precious opportunity of observation and experience
amid the largest scenes of human AFFAIR.", in foreign
| countries, well as his
! When Mr.. Legare, therefore, came into Congress-
| he came clad in complete armor The speeches and
reports made by him. during the brief period OF his
service there, snow with what iullness of information
and knowledge he came into the discussion Of every
question in which he took part--uuriching it with
the widest amplitude of illustration Judging it with
the utmost maturity Of thought and wisdom-while
adjoining it with the graces of finished and captiva-
! ting eloquence But his career there permitted
to continue two years only leaving the nation to re-
greet The premature loss, from lis legislative councils
Of the rare and eminent abilities and craftsmanship
of which, in so short time he gave such abundant
and unequivocal proofs.
The splendor of his genius accompanied him in his
ostracism, and Illuminated the obscurty OF his retreat
He was soon called back, to take prominent posi-
ton the Executive Government of the country Tor
which he pointed out solely by the consideration
Of hssuperior fitness for he sought Office, and
his friends deemed too highly Of him to believe that
any office capable of adding to the intrinsic dig
nifty of his talents and worth. This sphere of
duty elected new proofs Of his varied powers and at
tanments and developed comprehensive faculties OF
public usefulness cO-eXtensve with and equal to eve
ry demand of the public service Besides the able
and distinguished discharge of the duties which more
particularly belong to the post he occupied which
received The united testimony OF the most enlightened
Judges and Of the general voice of the country, he
brought to the aid of the government every great
cearness of views and promptitudo of decision,
which could not fail to be sensby felt and appreca-
ted When Unexpectedly called to fill the leading
Executive Department. il is not unreason lbe to sup
pose and it is hoped the suggestion may be made
without offence, that OF the able and distinguish
ed men who have filled it, upon their first introduce
ton TO its duties, probably felt at home
among its high and imposing concerns, than did MIR.
legare-eXcepting always with the profound rever-
ence especially their due those great minds OF re-
Evolutionary schooling which grew up along with the
horny and difficult questions OF international re-
aton-, and which laid deep the foundations OF our
foreign policy and public law. The records of the
State Department during the short, but busy month
his life spared, to stamp the lasting mark OF his
genius, industry, and abilities upon them, will show
whether this suggestion may not ind in It's ycrisinli
tude excuse for IFS temerity.
1t is not little remarkable that Mr.. Lcgarc was
doomed sometimes TO encounter the same scepu-
cism, regard to his practical abilities as states
man, which had thrown unavailing doubts on the
sodity OF bis legal attairmcns, and from Tie same
cause. The extraordinary polish and brightness
. OF his weapons, however massive, seemed TO ralse
suspicious of their strength and durability. The
very superiority Of his qualifications inspired dis
D trust of their reality. So the great Roman states
man and orator, whom Mr.. Lcgarc especially re-
semhed, in the broad and elaborate foundation OF
general learning which he raised the superstruc-
ture of his political talents and usefulness, was point
cd at, when he made his appearance on the public
stage as the Greek and the Scholar. Yet this did not
{ prevent him FROM exhibiting such consummate proofs
IF practical craftsmanship, ~ circumstances oil the
most complicated difficulty and danger, as man
ever surpassed and which procured for him. 10y so
lie decree of the national gratitude, the title OF the
Father # his Country.
But eminent as we're the intellectual powers and
, accomplishments of Mr. Legarc, they formed by no
. means the most distinguished part Of his public char
acter. 1t was the high moral tone so vIsibly inn
pressed all his acl MS his disdan of every thing
n low, and mean, ana narrow, the commanding cleya-
ton Of his principles ami views, the lofty spirit OF
) personal honor, the magnanuous courage and self
# reliance of conscious yit tue, which made hun truly
great. What the greatest OF Irish orators 50 impress
siyely said Of The first OF British statesmen, with suit
o able notifications, may he justly said OF Legare
q {" No State chicanerN, 30 narrow system OF vicious
IS liiics no idle contest for party victories re
gardless Of principle, ever sunk him TO the vulgar
level Of the so-calied great but resolute conscien
ti6us uudauuted and unseduced, hls object was evei
the glory, liberty and happiness Of his country-h
3 means were truth, integrity, patriotism and honor
: character, thus marked by the prominent ant
= dazzling traits which enlist public admiration ant
IT applause, off by all those mIder but not es
It winning qualities which inspire affection and esteem
:, and which give to human life its highest charm an'
n sweetest attraction. He was the delight and the or
# nament Of the society he frequented The spirit ant
Il brilliancy Of his conversation were unremng an,
is unsurpassed, His manners Of the most pertec
n tone, uniting the dignity and elegance Of the gentle
o man with the cordality and play fulnes of the com
IF panion end the friend lie had cultivated with small
N success taste for the fine arts, whose happy iniu
Or it is to humanize and soften, without euervatln
A. the character But above ALL his heart was warm
noble, generous, and true, despsing every form o
e- ndrcclon and mcauncss-embracing with the stron
" afnites Of kindred spirit, whatever was lofty
v principle, magnanimous in sentiment, or yrtuous il
j action entering, with the warm and unrestraine
IN illusions Of childhood itself into the lovely sympa
rs thics and affections Of domestic caud in friend
id ship ever firm, faithful and devoted. But rcmnis
cences such as these arc too intimately connecte
ID with yet bleeding of an rreparable persona
Of loss TO be obtrded upon the public eye and the
cred curtain which the hand Of awful and mystt
ID ous Providence has let fall upon the cherished hope
and affections of the heart must remain farther IN
:" disturbed. Il.
Y. two most able and learned tracts one on the Cor
- stituonal History Of Greece and the Democracy
Athens, the other on the origin, History, and blnJ
t. cuce of Roman Legislation are here more particl