Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1858-07-10

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by the side Of Washington, rs his abide
5camp,in 17T6, and won his captaincy By
an honorable wound received at the battle Of
Trenton.
But this was not the opening Of his mill
tary career. It was on Harlem Heights
and at White Plains that he first drew his
sword in defence of our common country.
Gentlemen Of the Seventh Regiment, you
have assembled to do honor to the memory
Of fellow soldier Of New. York. | pass
over the succeeding memories. We cannot
pause long to contemplate the patient stu
dent in the law Office Of Mr. Jefferson, who
neglected the study Of special pleadHTyt1
devote himself exclusively to national slaw.
We pass over his initiation into the civil
service Of the country as, a member of the
Virginia Legislature and Of the Convention
framing the Constitution We may pause
q moment to look at him IN the Convention
Of 1888, for this marked the period Of great
triumph. At thatsdqy James Monroe voted
against the acceptance Of the Federal Con-
stitution. This error, grave as it was,
though but Of. judgement and he recog-
nized it in his later life-would have sunk,
martyrized any man Of mere ordinary
efficiency; he would have been martyr to
the Union party.
Not 50 with James Monroe. It was re-
cognized BY the people Of Virginia and Of
the United States that his services were IN
dispensable. Two years afterward the leg
islature Of Virginia elevated him to tie
Senate, and shortly after that, the head ofthe
Union party gave him the position Of Min
lister to France, Again We come to anoth-
er time when the Presidential Chair was
occupied by a man Of such spotles purity Of
character, who had performed the greatest
service for his country, with an intellect So
high above the capacity Of most men, that
his words fell upon the ears Of his country
men az if spoken by the voice Of inspiration
itself. Corruption, weakness, incapaoity
and infdelity shrank before him; before
his words, as they were anathema pro-
nounced BY AZ angel Of God Ii was il
pursuance Of his Injunction and policy that
James Monroe called on the support Of the
people Of the United States. It was James
Monroe himself who prepared his own de-
tense, and it was defense as conclusive
to himself as it was conclusive to the Presi-
dent.
The people Of Virginia expressed their
entire appreciation Of his course, by elect
ing him Chief Executiye-and that charge
vas resigned to accept, for a second time,
the Office Of Minister to France, Here is
another memory which proves that Now
York, above others, has right to feel a
great interest in this ceremony It was
during that service that he, in conjunction
with New York's accomplished and patri-
otto son, Robert Livingston, he negotiated
the purchase of Louisiana. While q soldier
Of the Revolution and the exponent Of the
War Of l812-the statesman who during
the ,var had controlled the pen, the sword,
and the purse Of the State simultaneously,
when he became President Of the United
States, was COMMANDMENTS Chief Of the
Army, BY reason more Of his capacity and
efficiency than his political station. The
first official act almost, Of James Monroe,
Communicating Chief, was to inspect the
military Notifications and var defenses Of
New York. There is another memory to
which we should refer at all times, especially
in the hour Of danger to the Republic, when
faction divides as within or foreign foes
threaten rs from without. Whenever from
whatever She cause may be it becomes nee
essary to make All and every sacrifice for
the veal Of the Commonwealth. We can
call to mind when two aged men met to-
gether here to recount over the tells and
sacrifices they had endured and volunteered
and to count over the treasure Of Rcpubli-
can virtue which they were proud to leave
10 their children and their childreas child
ren-When James Monroe and Ia Fayette
Joined hands for the last time il The name
Of the Republic and Liberty
There arc two other memories which
mark the decline Of The life Of James Mon
roe. Devoted Increasingly to The service Of
his eountry--obliged to resign Offices in
rapid snccession-to chase from one to a.
mother in the constant claim on his patriot
io e1fciency-he had no time 10 devote to
the cares Of his private fortune. He re-
signed his Office Of President Of the United
States to 60 to home Of poverty and want.
Tsensation.] Gentlemen. q modern writer
has touching]y observed ''that dignity in
poverty is like the scent Of the wild rose,
none linger BY The way side to catch tic
fragrance ofits perfume" But, thank Cod,
when a man has devoted toll and treasure
TO the service Of his country, and when be
has retired from The highest positions with
honor, maintained honor, then we witness
one Of these moments when We can all stand
with uncovered heads in the presence 81
honorable poverty. Emotion. It was at
that Gine that kind hands and tender hearts
helped the poverty Of James Monroe in the
City Of New York.
This, gentlemen, gives you right to
participate in this ceremony, 4 right which
Virginia would never question, but would
most cheerfully relinquish before it was as
serted. And New York gave him tomb
in that beautiful cemetery, secured from
public intrusion, but honored with public
gratitude. 10 return thinks for all those
duties which the citizens Of New York have
performed toward James Monroe, is task
too great for my feeble abilities. I know
mo fitting mode in which to present the
thanks Of Virginia for this great benefit:
but cannot conclude without 3 reference
to @ matter for the vindieation Of the honor
of my native State. | have heard It said
by some that Virginia has allowed these
haliowea remains to continue too long un-
hry -. i