The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1858-07-21
PRESIDENT MONROE.
Speech Of Gov. Wise, at Richmond,

Couitryasn aud FsYooc- Ciisens The
General Assembly of the Commonwealth has
ordered that the remains of James Monroe,
one OF the most h0n0red and best beloved of
her sons, shall, under the direction and at
the discretion of the Governor, be removed
from the public burylng ground 10 the city
OF New York to the cemetery at the city oil
Richmond" The remains are removed, the
cenotaph is open, and we are here assembled
to inter them IN their last resting place with
becoming ceremonies.
In view Of the speaking precept and exam
pie OF the long life OF usefulness. distinguish
ed public services and patriotic devotion once
tempted in the body Of which these are the
remains. am not permitted to be silent.
No better instance Of an American man of
the people, or OF true American Republican,
can be cited than that Of James Monroe. His
leader, his better, his master, was the father
whose statue mounts the plinth of yonder
monument; but Washington was unriyal!ed,
and stands alone among men upon earth.
The patron 0f Monroe lies at Monticello, his
compeer and equal at Montpelier, and no trio
OF patron and protegees in our past history
can approach the group of Jefferson, Madison
and Monroe, in political philosophy, in con-
stitutinnal lore and IN patriotic action
combined. Washington stands alone and
above all:-fhey apart and grandly by them
selves. Washington is the greai type of Ma.
tlonality they are the triple bands of Indi.
yidual Rights, Of State Sovereignty, and Of
Republican Truth. Washington is supreme,
out they are subordinate in supremacy only
special only in greatness necessary as the
supreme.
James Monroe wasa country boy OF West
moreland, the county-man 0t Washington.
From the 18th to the 7Srd year Of his age,
Tor fifty-fiye years, he was almost necessarily
IN the public service. At Is lie left his let
tiers and science, hIs Horace and his Homer,
at William and Mary, to enlist in the battle
fields OF Independence. lie took commits
sinn low down next 10 the ranks, was severe.
ly wounded before he rose TO a higher rank
than that Of captain, aud never rose higher
ia The line oi the military. In the staff Of
Lnrd Sterling he was an aid.de-camp,
and acquired the title Of Colonel nf regi.
ment Of Virginia, which was never raised.
lie was Commissioner Of Virginia to the
Southern camp. lie was Legislator of Nir-
giuia. lie was member Of the Convention
Of Virginia TO Adopt the Federal Constitution.
lie was Senator Of Virginia in Congress.
| lie was Minister 70 France. lie was twice
Governor Of Virginia. lie was again Minis
ter to France, Minister to England aud to
Spain, and again to Englsnd. lie was Sec.
retary Of State, and in the war Of Free
Trade aud Sailors Rights" for which he
had contended as early as 1907, lie was Sec.
retary Of the Treasury and War. lie was
twice elected President Of the United States,
and once almost unanimously. And from
i the height Of the Chief Magisiraey Of the Ha.
/ tiun, he again descended TO the ranks Of the
/ people, aud became a magistrate Ul the Quo.
rum Uf Gentlemen Justices OF the Peace for
i the county Of fouduun. And lastly. in the
year 1899. 80, lie was President Of the first
Convention Of Virginia TO reform the Con.
/ slitutlon OI the State.
This last post, inlirmity and old age com-
| PEELED him TO resign; aud then, IN 1880, his
| course run. his guud st iuught. fall VI years
and full OF hunurs, the great aud good old
man returned 10 the bosom Of hrs family 10
/ the State of his adoption. There he had t,ld
/ the tale Of his Youthful lave there he had in
hailed the perfume Of COniggsI affection !;
+ there he had married the wife uf his bosom !;
f ttleFe He OuIlt8 HtIS tHtIt HlS bHftuitH htit
settled; snd there. weary aud heavy laden
with laburs and years, ht sought repose.
Soldier, Legislator, Commissioner. Diplomat,
Statesman, President, Justice 81 the Peace,
/ Cunyentionist and Cunstitulinnalst, he had
filed every measure Of public place, aud fill.
ed il we'll, and had received nearly sIOj 900
Of State and Federal pay, and yet retired
poor ia debtor for the government. not 70 IL:
/ having spent alI, and more than all his sub.
stance, IN his Country's service, aud went
nut Of het high places an honest mao, impu