Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-04-09
From the Petersburg Express. April IL
THE REMAINS OF PRESIDENT MONROE

We gave, day before yesterday, as an item OF news
the passage of Mr.. Deneae!s resolution, in the Sc
nate, providing for the removal of the remsna of
President Monroe, from the Cemetery at New York,
where they have reposed for more than quarter Of
century, to the city of Richmond there to be reint.r.
red at the seat of Government Of his own State We
take il for granted that proposition reasonable in
ITSELF and appealing strongly to the patriotism of
our Legislature will pass the lower House without a
dissenting voice, and that the proper steps will soou
be taken for carrying it into effect The bill has
passed the House by a very large maiOrity.-Enq |
Mr. Monroe had the misfortune to succeed in the Pre-.
side1tial Chair man in no degree unworthy to be
classed with the fret three Presidents of the Repnb
lie, and he was thus ia measure Overshadowsd by
the pre.eminsnt stature of his predecessors. But
he WAS man of very great strength Of char
acter, and his name shines with a pure and steady
lustre on the page of American history. Had Mr.
Monroe never attained distinction az statesman bis
services in the Revolution would keep his memory
ever fresh and fragrant in the American bosom, for
entering the army as cadet, he rose, by his gallant
ry, to the rank OF Colonel and sgnalized himself by
Lafayettes side one of the most gallant OF the
young VirgniRns then fighting the legi0ns Of the
Monroe won the highest honors. and the records Of
the Department bear witness to the vig0r Of his
mind, and the elevation Of his aims As the frat to
give decided expression to the doctrine OF inter-
ference by European powers in the affairs of America
he will be longest remembered; and what is known as
the Monroe Doctrine" has taken a hold Oh the
hearts Of the people, in direct association with his
NAME that will not be relinqushed while the Atlantic
rolls bstween the Old World and the New.
So far a. We know nothing has been done hitherto
by the United States or by Virginia. to honor the
memory OF Mr.. Monroe. Perhaps portrait of him
that once adorned the Library Of Congress- and was
destroyed by the fire in the Capitol in 1851 was the
only sourenir Of the fifth President of the United
States that has ever been placed in public building
While living. he fought hard struggle With dura ne
csxsas and is affecting to note in his correspond.
the frequent illusions he makes to his pecuna.
ny difficulties which, believe were never entirely
overcome. This fact lie enough in itself 10 evidence
the lofty integrity of the public servant who filed the
highest fcee Of trust and responsibility. Since his
death, which, by extraordinary coincidence, took
place the national anniversary in 1881, Just five
years after Jefferson and Adams had been removed
from earth, neither the Federal Government nor the
Commonwealth has entertained any plan of commem-
Grating his deeds and his work. until the resolution of
AIR. Deneale was brough, up few days ago.
There ia lovely em,neuce at the Western extremi.
~ OF hollywood Cemetery. 70 which the stranger is
taken to look down on the AM, ,ng CITY and fertile
wheatheds, green slets and foamjnp rspids which
make up one Of the most striking Landscapes in
America The river. lesping the rocks lust be.
low, sounds perpetual requiem for The dead who
sumber around. \ tall shsft of cleaning marble
erected upon that height might be seen daily by hun
dreds, psrhaps thousands Of the people of Virginia
There the dust Of Monroe should be deposited There
above tGis honored dust should rise the column on
which may be read the simple record that bsne6ts
enduring greatness. We trust there will be no i'm.
pediment in the way Of the removal Of the remains
and that the reintermsnt and monumental homage
that follows be worthy of the ustrous dead, and of
the Old Dominion.