Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-05-20
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"REMINISCENCES OF PUBLIC MEN.
Br ARTHUR >. sTASsnuHr,

sembled in 1923. for the revision OF the Con-
stitution Of Virginia You may imagine the
intense curiosity with which gazea on an
individual so illustfious Among the crowd
of gentlemen who entered the hall Of the
House of Delegates, in the capitol, whore
the Convention was about 70 open, saw one,
Of lower stature, than ony Of his compeers,
slender and delicate in form dressed in a
suit of black, not new, and now dusty from
travel with hat distinguished by the width
of its brim. and its total arrangement from
the fashionable block Of the day; in aspect.
grave, yet mild; in air and carriage perfect
y simple aud unassuming; Of light. elastic
step and possessing. altogether what may
be called a winning address. l observed
that he was approached by every one with
an intrinsic respect, Though not with that
expression of awe which was inspired BY
Washington,) and soon learned from every
mouth. that it was ex President Madison
Many members of the Convention then saw
him. like myself, for the first time. He
looked to me like gentleman farmer, emerg
ing from retirement to- give bis vote at some
important election, and then purposing to
return home.
He met his friends with courtesy, but
with an unmovad calmness ofmanner, differ
| ing as it seemed to mo, from that warmth,
and cordiality which usually mark the inter-
course Of Virginians, and Of Southern people
generally. Indeed, were | asked to point
out Mr.. Madison's distinguished trait, /
speak Of his constitutional organization, !
should say it was this very quality ofdigni-
fed calmness. His tone Of mind seemed
pleasant. even cheerful but totally undis-
turbcd ever self possessed self balanced -
lie was in all situations, gentlemanly, mod
est, retiring, and, for so distinguished char
acter more silent than had expected He
never assumed the lead in conversation, and
appeared always more disposed listen than
to speak. Nothing can be conceived more
| remote from all assumption and display
During the whole duration Of the Convention,
(and it sat for sixteen weeks) although Of
all present, he was best entitled to speak on
subjects such as those which occupied that
body, he spoke but twice.
When he did speak, however, the effect Of
such retiring merit was at once obvious
| While other members Of the body, even the
most distinguished among the elite Of Vir-
GINA, were listened to With respectful atten-
ton, but without any special outward de-
monstration Of interest," no sooner was Mr..
Madison upon bis feet, than there was in one
moment simultaneous rush, from every part
of the ball; the ordinary decorum of the DO
dy seemed forgotten; regardless of all OBJ
staoles, every man made straight line to the
spot, and he was at once so completely hem
med in by the crowd that pressed around TO
hear, that his small figure could scarce be
seen. There was indeed one reason fol
this movement besides the homage which his
character commanded.
His voice, never strong was then very
slender, even feeble, Che was in his seventy
CT ghth year, though his enunciation per-
tcctly distinct, and the universal eagcrncss
not to lose a syllable that fell from him may
have quickened the effort to be as near him
as possible. My professional occupation o.
pened an avenue to me, since it was my duty
to take down the speech: but such was the
interest felt III common with all around me-
to hear the speech, that it was difficulty ]
could prevent my attention from being drawn
from MY task, leaving me listener merely
have still MS notes of that speech (the
last he ever dclivcrcd) with corrections of it
in his own hand, which keep with reli-
gious feeling of veneration. Connected with
it is little anecdote, characteristics in the
highest degree of meekness Of wisdom which
so emincntly distinguished the illustrations
author Of ''Thc Federalist"
When had 6nirhed writing out the speech,
left it with him for his revision Next day,
as there was great call for it, and the re-
port had not been returned for publication, |
sent my son, with respectful note request
ing the MS Ny son was lad about six
teen, (whom had taken with me to act as
an amanuesis,) and on delivering my note he
was received With the utmost politeaess, and
j requested to come up in Mr. Ms chamber
and wait while he ran his eyes over the pa
per, as company had till that moment proven
ed his attending to it, He did so; and Mr..
r Madison, pen in hand, sat down to correct
! the report. The lad stood near him, so that
; his eye fell on the paper. Coming to GER
! tain sentence in the speech, Mr. NJ struck
J out word and substituted another. bot
! hesitated, and not feeling quite satisfied with
the second word, drew his pen through ii al
! so.
My son was young ignorant, of the world
and unconscious of the solecism of which he
| was about to be guilty, when in all simplici-
ty, he suggested ,eord. Yes he veatured
boy that he was, TO suggest to James Madi-
son an improvement in his own speech -
$ Probably no other individual then living
I would have taken such liberty But the
/ sage instead Of regarding the intrusion with
. a frown, raised his eyes to the boys face with
pleased surprise. and said "thank you sir
it is the very word p and immediately in
! serted it, | saw him the next day, aud he
! mentioned the circumstance, with compli-
nent on the young critic,
) was lorcibly struck, while dischargiEg
my daily duty ia the convention, at the de
pertinent of Mr. Madison Punctual aud
: unfailing in his attendance. he always occu-
> pied the same scat. do not think that in
! that nall there was another individual who
, paid such uniform and unremitted attention
to the proceedings Of the body. Whoever &C.
cupicd the floor. he was sure of at least one
attentive listener John Marshall himself
! did not listen with more steadiness and con-
. desccnsiop to the argument Of young mem
her Of the bar, land who that was a young
member there. and did not feel with the
deepest gratitude that admirable trait in The