Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-07-06

Ct Mr.. Monroe, places the public in possessio
of some facts in reference to the honored Ex
President not generally known, and will serv
TO increase the respect and veneration hithert
felt for one whose public and private virtue
were tested by the severest of all human orde
ais.
PETERsvnLE, FREDERICK Co.,
MARYLAND, June 18, 1858.
S1R:-I have received copy of resolution
of the General Assembly of Virginia, proyidn
for s'the removal of the remains of James Mon
roe. ex.President of the United States, from th
public burying ground in the city of New Yorl
to the cemetery at the city Of Richmond Vir
giuia, for interment: provided that upon inqui
ry, you deem it proper, and such removal ma.
meet with the appreciation of the family"
The public life of James Monroe is written il
the history of his country. The events OF hi
private life-few years indeed-are known to
few surviving friends. On the 4th OF March
1925. he completed his second Presidential term
lie soon commenced to reap the bitter fruits o
a life devoted to the best interests of his coun
try regardless of his own. AS a private citizel
he emerged from all his successive public trust
with poverty as the emblem of his purity an(
a near relative, reluctantly accepted, realized
after his death, discharged the immediate de-
mands in Washington, and bore him and MI
family to that residence in which he had tondlJ
hoped to end his days. Pressed to melancho
Iy degree by debts inperceptibly accumulated BY
time, with the occasional relief which two young
relatives could Afford he struggled manfully witt
adversely for FIVE years. In the unexpected
death of his devoted wife, in September, 1880,
he realized the fact that his cup Of earthly cor
rows was full to the brin. She had, with enyi
able graces of person and mind, adorned every
public position he ever held. She had nobly
participated in all his troubles, and, with, her
sudden loss all the hopes of declining years ia.
ded rapidly before him. A constitution OF great
original vigor exhibited symptoms of decided de-
cay, and mind nobly endowed in active sympa-
thy of gradual decline. His removal to New
York was the result of stern necessity, not of
choice. At the solicitation of his family, in the
residence of his youngest daughter, and in the
society of his wife's relatives, herself native
of that city, he found all the beautiful sympa-
thies which earth affords. His presence COM
manded universal respect. Public meetings gave
a new impulse to prompt actioDlin Congress on
those claims which, in deep conviction OF their
Justice, he had made upon his country. In dali
ly anxious suspense he awaited their decision.-
The partial allowance it made came too late for
him. Postponement and angry debates, marked
by that bitterness of party politics which ever
seeks shining mark, had broken down his no
BILE spirit. The exhausted energies of nature
could rise no more. On the 4th of July, 1881,
amidst all the exulting evidences of national
pride which mark that day, associated now with
the deaths of Adams, Jefferson, and Monroe, in
humble resignation to Divine will, without a
groan or a sigh, he ceased to live on earth.
Let not the people of Virginia believe that his
honored remains were treated with neglect. IN
no "publo buryiDg ground" in no borrowed
tomb" do they lie. In vault, originally .pur-
chased by his daughters in beautiful private
cemetery" surrounded by many OF the most
respectable and virtuous of his day, they have
awaited the call of his native State. Two sis
ters of his wife, one my own dear mother, with
Others, relatives Of her family, have slept around
him.
His death excited profound sympathy. The
city authorities Of New York asked not the right
to honor his memory, but the favor to be per-
mitted, with appropriate ceremonies, to bury
him at the public cost His body was attended
bya train of mourning relatives and friends
from the humble dwelling wherehe died, through
streets hung with emblems of public sorrow, to
the City Hall. A noble tribute to his worth,
from eloquent lips, lately closed forever, was
over it in the city park. Funeral
services before the assembled clergy, in one OF
the most venerable churches, were performed
by the presiding bishop; procession, civil and
military, of countless numbers, witnessed the
whole population of city draped in mourning,
and hushed into solemn silence, save when the
plaintiye dirge told the sad Office they perform
ed. bore him to his tomb. Other similar spec
tacles may have exceeded this in gorgeous dis
play, but in imposing solemnity it never was
surpassed.
When his remain. shall again be brought to
light, you will find them distinguished by these
few simple words: "James Monroe, of Virginia,
4th of July, 1881 aged seventy-two years.
They pointed significantly to his native State
To her soil he was devoted, and to her people he
was ardenty attached. "To them," did he say,
~ owe everything. They never failed to stand
by me. They will, one day yet, do justice to
my memory" That day has dawned his words
are verified. If the sentiment your action an
nounces has been slow in expression, it will be
rapid in progress. When "the remains" OF Jas
Monroe shall have been deposited in bis native
soil it will expand with time. His public and
private virtues will yet be estimated at their re-
al worth. ~
Of the personal family associates of MIR. Mon.
roe Mr.. Augustin Monroe and Mr.. James Mon.
roe, his nephew5, and myself, his son-in-law, on
ly survive. He left four grandchildren, OF whom
three, the children of his younger daughter, are
living. The youngest, Mr.. S. L. Gouverneur,j ,jr.
has, learn from him, spoken for himself, and
approves the removal; his eldest grandson, who
bears his name, deeply afflicted by Providence
speaks through me. His only grand daughter
will abide my action. Representing these in'
terests, the memory of my late wife, sole execu
tor of Mr. Monroe, and possessed OF bis wishe:
in regard to the final disposition of bis body,
trust | do not exceed the bounds of delicacy OF
strict propriety in addressing myself to YOU
We approve "the removal" but respectfully sug
gest our wishes in regard to it. The long peri
cd during which 'sthe remains have mouldereo
in the tomb" the season Of the year, and Other
considerations urge upon US the wish that it may
be effected with as little display as possible, ant
without any unnecessary expense to the people
OF your State. This we deem most in conform
ity with the character of our institutions ant
the simple habits of life of the deceased. In tht
language of the resolution making the approprl
alton, only $50 mnch thereof as may be necessa
ry" will be expended in effecting the removal
and the balance will be disposed of as the au
thorities of your State may deem proper. -.
Should you concur, as hope you will, will
invite my son to accompany me at an early da!
to New York. He will personally superintene
the disnterment of the remains in the presenc'
of all the members of the family who may b.
pleased to attend. They will, in due form, b.
delivered to the charge of the persons selected
by you, and an equal number of the nearest rel
atives of the deceased, to be conveyed to Rich
mond for interment as you may direct.
am, sir, respectfully,
Your obedent servant,
SAM'L L. GoUvERNEUR.
Henry A. Wise, Governor of the State of Vir