Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1849-07-28
Mrs. MADISON,

The life and character of this distinguish.
ed lady belong 10 her country. Mrs Madison
was born on the goth May 1867, new style
which makes her to be SO years, month
and % days old at the time of her death.
Upon the expiration of MIR. Madison,s presi.
dental service, she retired with him to Mont.
pelier in Orange county, Virginia, where she
administered, with warmth and grace of
mariner never surpassed, all the rites Of hos
pltalty, III the house of her distinguished
husband. Visited by crowds of American
citizens, and by strangers from Europe. who
were deslrous of seeing so noble a statesman,
no one ever left his house without carrying
away with him the strongest sense of the
courtesjes and accomplishments of his lady.
After his death, she continued 10 reside al
Montpelier until 1887, when she removed for
a short time 10 this city. Thence she return
ed to Montpelier, and finally came TO Wash
lngton, in 1914, TO reside at her house on
Presidents Square, where she brealhed her
last on Thursday night, between 10 and II
O'Clock, after lingering illness of FIVE days
NO distinguished stranger ever visited
Washington who did not consider it his duty
as well as his pleasure TO wait upon her and
pay his respects to her. Blessed almost
to the last with good spirits and the kindest
social feelings, she mixed in the society of
all her old friends in Washington with kind.
ness and warmth of manner which attracted
every heart and eye around her.-There was
a charm in her manners which proved ire.
slstlble, Even when she was possessed of
the highest buoyancy of spirits, and presided
as the tutelary genius of the White House.
she never suffered her head TO be turned bv
the most devoted attentions which were al
ways paid 10 her. She preserved that eunan.
unity OF spirits, that simplicity of character,
that warmth and sympathy of heart, which
preserved her from all aliectaton and arro
gance OF manner. She was the most consi.
derate and polite person we have ever known.
Instead OF pushing herself forward on anv oc.
caslon, and even claiming what was due TO
"N', E'O "Nui'J VII 'ho Coutidty, uIsCHtlln all
pretensions and distinctions. She seemed
determined to sacrifice all idle etiquette, and
all selfish discrimination, to the ease and hap.
plness of others. With that exquisite tao,
which arose from her saaacious mind. and
with that delicate sympathy which was the
fruit of her good and generous feelings. she
was ever willing TO give up her own place
and her own comfort for those around her.
This remark was true of her at all times and
pIaces--in the most crowded assemblies, as
well as in the smalles, circles No woman
ever seemed TO think so little of herself, and
none more of others. Was it any wonder,
then, that with her position in society, her
fine accomplishments, her simple yet polish
ed manners, her long acquaintance with poll
lical matters and with the most distinguished
men of our country, and with that utter dis
regard of all pretensions, and her great con-
sideration of the happiness of others, Mrs.
Madison should have been so long the
idol of her friends and the centre of general
admiration; and more than all, of the vene-
ration and the love of every one who knew
her !-HIashington Onion.