Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-11-14
wheb in % .hor, Time, he cave such abund.nt and

which, in 80 short time he gave such abundant and
| unsquvocal proofs :.
os,racism and illuminated the obscurIty of his retreat
He was soon called back to take prominent position IN
the Executive Government Of the country for which
he wns pointed solely by the consideration OF his
SUPERIOR fitness for he never sought Office and his
friends deemed too highly of hun to believe that any
office was capable of adding 10 The intrinsic dignity OF
his talents and worth. This new sphere of duty eli
cited ne proofs of his varied powers and attainments
and developed comprehensive iacultIes OIL pubic use
fulness CO. extensive with and equal TO every demand
of the public service Besides The able and distinguish
ed discharge of the duties which more particularly De-
long 10 the post he occupied, which received the united
testimony of the most Heightened judges, and oil the
ge neral voice of the country ne brought 10 the aid Of
the Government, on every great question OF natona
interest," fund Of knowledge cearness OF views ana
prom ptude of dscislon which could not fail TO be
sensiby felt and appreciated. When Unexpectedly
called TO fill the leading Executive Department. 1t u
unreasonable 10 suppose, and u IS hoPed The sus
ge son may be made without offence, that none of the
able and distinguished men who have filled it upon
their first introduction to It's dues, prooaoy ever e'
more at home among lis high aud imposing concerns,
than did Mr. Legarc-e1cepting always, with The pro
found reverence especially their due, those great
minds OF Revolutionary schooiing which grew up along
with The thorny md difficult questions OF our nerna.
lona relations and which LAID deep the foundations oil
our foreign policy and public law The records OF the
State Department, during the short, out busy mon'h
lie was spared 10 STUMP Tue Inotihs Wsih Vi
MUS, industry and abilities upon them, will show whe-
Their this suggestion may not find in It's verslmude
some excuse for its temerity.
II is not little remarkable, that MIR. Legarc was
doomed sometimes to encounter the same scepticsm
gard his practical abilities as statesman, when
had thrown unavailng doubts the solidy Of his le
gal atlanments, and from the same cause The extra
ordinary polish and brightness OF his weapons, how
massive seemed TO raise suspicious OF their strength
and durability. The very superiority OF ms quallhca-
81 tha litu so tha 0rpa
Roman Statesman and orator, whom Mr. Legare esPe-
caly resembled the broad and elaborate foundation
Of general learning which he raised the suPerstruc
ture of his political talents and usefulness, was point
ed 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 consummale proofs
of practical craftsmanship, in circumstances OF the
most complicated difficulty and danger, as no man
surpassed, and which procured tor HIM, oy So
Tenn decree of the national gratitude, the title OF the
Father of his Country
But eminent as were the intellectual powers and
accomplishments Of Mr. Legarc they formed, by no
means, the most distinguished part OF his public cha
racter 1t was the high moral tone so yIslby impress
ed on all his actions, his dIsdau OF every thlng low
and mean and narrow the commanding elevation Of
his principles and views, the lofty spirit OF personal
honor, the magnanimons courage and sel-relance OF
conscious virtue, which made hun truly great What
the greatest Of Irish orators so impressvely SAID OF the
first Of British statesmen with suitable modIhcations
may be Justly 6ao oil Legare: mo state cheuhefy, NJ
narrow system of VICIOUS politics. idle contests for
mere party Victories regardless of principle ever sunk
him to the vulgar level of the called great but re-
soute, conscientious, undaunted and unseduced, his
object vas ever the glory, liberty and happiness Of
his country-his means truth, integrity, patriot
ism and honor.
A character, thus marked by the prominent and
dazzling traits which enlist public admiration and APP
plause was set off by all those mder, but not less win
ming qualities which inspire affection and esteem and
which give human life its highest charm and sweet
est attraction. He the delight and the ornament OF
the society he frequened. The spirit and brIllIancy
Of his conversation unremttlng and unsurpassed
His manners of the most perfect tone, uniting the
dignity and elegance of the gentleman with the cord
atty and payfulness of the companion and the Trend
He had cultivated, with small success, taste for
the fine arts, whose happy influence it is to humanze
and soften, without enervatlng the character bul
above all, his heart was warm noble, generous and
true, despisng every form of indirecton and mean
ness-embracing with the strong afiintes OF kindred
spirit, whatever lofty in principle, magnanimous IN
sentiment or viruous IN acknowledging, with the
warm and unrestrained illusions Of childhood ITSELF
into the lovely sympalhes and affections of domestic
fe,-and IN friendship firm, faithful and devoted
But "reminiscences such as these too intimately
connected with yet bleeding of irreparablr
personal loss to be obtruded upon the public eye; and
the sacred curtain, which the hand OF awful and
mysterious Providence has let fall upon the cherished
hopes and affections Of the heart must remain farther
undIsturbed. H.