Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-10-23
A President without Grave Stone.

| the north side OF Second street, IN this city
New Y York) between First and Second aven-
ues, separ ated from the sidewalk by tall
iron fence, placed upon granite foundation.
The shrubbery is always clean and vigorous;
the grass is always the greenest, and the
walks are scrupulously neat. There are
many tasteful and appropriate monuments
to the ead that sleep within this beautiful
inclosure; but to the memory of the most
famous of its dumb inhabitants there is no
marble shaft, no obelisk, not even a head
stone erected. But upon simple slab of
marOle that lies fiat some two feet square
upon the earth, and is almost covered by
grass, is the following inscription:
JAMES MONROE.
sROB BERT TSON.
Vault No. l47.
There is nothing to indicate that the
James Monroe, mentioned, is the Monroe
who was in the battle Of White Plains, and
received ball in the shoulder at the attack
on Trenton, who fought by the side OF La
fay ette at Brandywine, who was Minister
to France in 1894, and afterwards to Eng
land; who was Secretary of State in 1911,
and for two tuii terms President of these
United States. Yet such is the fact, and
that weather stained slab of marble, two
feet square, is all the monument that Ex-
President Monroe has.
1t is curious neglect that leaves the
precious dust OF one of the purest patriots
that our country has been blest with, to rest
iE such obscurity. Thousands pass every
day by the spot, sdmiring the well kept
grounds. pausing for the fragrance of the
Towering shrubs, listening to the song Of the
birds thrt find this oasis in the city's desert
but never dreaming that the author of the
Monroe Doctrine, the fourth Presldent of
the United States, lies within few feet of
them. Monuments to men of half his in
tellectual stature, and 1.-The of his Industry
and goodness of heart, are going up ali over
the land. Shall he who was reelected to
the Presidency by vote unanimous with a
single exception, and who never disgraced
his position, have no more than this!
As Mr.. Monroe vas a Virginian, it is the
suppoSition of most people that he died and
was buried within the Old Dominion, but
this is an error.
Mr.. Monroe, in his last days. resided with
Samuel Gouverneur, late poStm aster of this
city, New York; who married his daughter;
their residence was on the corner of Prince
and Elm streets.
The venerable DR.. Francis tells US that
he often met Mr.. Monroe, walking out when
the weather was fine, and that on these oc-
casions he was the object of the most affec-
tionate attentions. He has often net him
making purchases for the family, at Centre
Market, where all the stallmen knew and
honored hin. He was tall and spare, very
modest in his bearing, dignified and gentle
manly. In his address, ne was hestating
and diffident, as polite to the poorest and
humblest as to any. He was one of the
mos: industrious of men, hard student,and
his cares left their marks Oh his face The
wound that he received at Trenton was felt
for many years fterwards-indeed, through
cut all his life he occasionally suffered from
it. @ st
His last illness was long and tedious
one. His attendant was his son-in-la
family physician, DIR. Berger. He expired
at l03 O'Clock on the morning of the 4th of
July, 1881.
His funeral was very imposing one-the
largest that at that time had ever been seen
in New York. The military, under Gen.
Jacob Morton, Grand Marshal, filled Broad
way, from Prince to Broad street, through
which it passed to the cemetery. The day
was fine, and the signs of mourning were
generally adopted by our citizens. The
vault in which his dust still lies, is on the
east side of the cemetery, just to The right
of the main walk as you look in from the
entrance. The passer-by will note a small
pole, Oh which dove-house is perched.-
Within a yard of that pole is the sacred
! spot
The death of Mr.. Monroe was announced
to Ex-President Madison by DR.. j. w.
Francis, Immediately upon the decease. To
this the following reply was sent by Mr..
Madison, which is now,s for the first stime
published:
LETTER OF JAMES MADISON TO DR.. JOHN
W. FRANCIS.
MONTPELIER, July 9, 1881.
Dear Sir:-Your favor of the 4th, COM
municating the death of Mr.. Monroe, was
duly received. had been prepared for the
event by information of its certain approach.
The time was so far happy, as it added an
other to the condolences before so remark
able and memorable. You ave Justly rank
i ed him with the heroes and natriots who
have deserved best of their country. No one
knew him better than did, ,or had amore sim
cereaffection for him,or condoles more deeply
with those to whom he was most dear