The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1881-07-30


continued to preach to the sympathetic
crowds who thronged around them. He
lived in the lower end of Orange-a very
poor region. and known as the poison
fields. being the upper end of the sec
ton in Orange and Spottsylvania coun-
ties now known through the whole Union
as the Wilderness" the battle ground
on which the strength Of the very gov
eminent which Leland opposed was after
ward to be sorely tried. OF course it
was no vain boast to say that such a man
as John Leland would not only carry the
members of his church and his whole
neighborhood, but also all the middling-
class people of Orange, even in sight of
Montpelier.
Mr.. Madison saw his danger, and de-
termined to have an interview with Lee
land. Very early in the morning he
left Montpelier on horse back. and hav-
ing travelled several miles below Orange
Court House upon the old turnpike,
which was afterward the plank road be-
tween Orange Court House and Freder-
icksburg. about the middle of the day
met Leland riding up the road. Having
accosted each other. and commencing
upon the all-absorbing question of the
day, they talked upon horseback until
they tired. They diSmountcd, and tied
their horses to the swinging limbs of a
lonely oak. which is now standing near
the road, Oh the very edge of the Wilder
ness. Leland. in his characteristic strong
ed grand, aristocratic. and powerful
government, Il republic only in name,
which was to absorb the States and to
take away the liberties of the common
people. Such one he had shed his
blood to be delivered from. Such one
had restrained his conscience, denied his
right of private Judgment, and for his
faith had cast him into dungeon.
Madison mildly asserting to some OBJ
Leland of his efforts for religious liberty
in the Virginia Legislature, and that his
father, James Madison, senior. was Coun-
ty Lieutenant of Orange. who marshaled
the county militia in the Revolution, and
that his brother William. with him, at
Yorktown. had poured hot shot into the
lines of Corvallis. He pressed his points
of argument with that mild and insidious
eloquence so peculiarly his own. 1t grew
late. The sun had hidden his disk be-
hind the southwest mountains, and Lee
land, now convinced, but bold and i'm
petuous as ever, rose to his feet and said,
80 Mr.. Madison. l will vote for YOU
Then, said Mr. Madison. You will
elect me.
The election day arrived. LELAND and
his followers came to the polls. Madi-
son and Gordon were elected by large
majority. His election more than any
thing else changed the complexion of the
Convention. Washington, childless
man. is called the Father of his Coun-
try. Madison, alike a childless man,
deserves the name of Father of the
Constitution and Government of the
United States.'
The hill country of Virginia, which
constitutes the water shed from which
which the springs of the James, the
York, aud Rappahanuock rise and flow
onward in different directions. WIS the
birthplace and residence of some of the
greatest sons Of the Old Dominion Mr.
Jefferson lived at Monticello, less than I,
half days ride from Montpelier. the resi-
dence of Madison. The two Barbours,
James and Philip, lived in the immedi-
ate neighborhood. one at Barboursville
and the other at Frescati. and near them
William c. RiveS (the United States
Senator. and the biographer of James
Madison), at Castle Hill.
Many traditional anecdotes now afloat
illustrate more than either biographer
or history the greatness, goodness. and
purity of these men. The Barbours. al
though brothers, were remarkably dis.
similar i'll their manner of speaking. The
Governor. James was magniloquent. the
judge, Philip, was metaphysical. The
eccentric and caustic John Randolph, OF
Roanoke, stated this difference in his
peculiar way: "Phil aims at horse hair.
and splits it: James aims at barn door,
and misses it," When asked what he
thought of one of Governor Barbour S
eloquent and impressive speeches in Con-
gress, he said. ''He clothed beggarly
idea in imperial purple. and called down
the thunder of heaven to kill gnat upon
a bulls horn
1t was the habit of these retired states
men. President Madison and Governor
Barbour, to address their neighbors and
friends. the people of Orange and the
vicinity. at the court house on court
days. upon the important questions OF
the day. Both We're eloquent, both i'll
structive. The difference in their style
of speaking was strikingly depicted by a
plain countryman. who had listened, as
all did, to the speeches of both. lie was
asked which was the greater man, Madi-
son or Barbour. He replied, " Barbour
When asked the reason. he said: Bar.
bour is so great man that did moi
understand word he said: understood
every word Madison said, and he did not
tell me anything l did not know before