The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-04-08
sous NEW s0oxA
a rAss q James HGs.rss.

GILMAN. Tho biO0raphof Is OF tho opinion
that the subject Of his sketch has not been ad-
eouatoly appreciated by his countrymen; yet
We do not think the popular judgment Of the
man win be materially modified By this book.
slthough II il written in sympathetic way.
and IL. from a literary point OF view. one OF the
most valuable additions 10 the useful coiiec-
ton OF monographs to which 1t belongs. Tho
truth seems to be that Monroe owed more TO
good fortune than TO native abilities. He was
lucky In his carly associations and In his later
friendships, and. happily for his success
in his political career he was endowed with q
cnlnn. even temperament and degree Of self
control that saved him from provoking many
bitter personal animositics. He was tho last
representative OF the Virginia regency which for
quarter OF u century had virtually dominated
the United Statos. With his second Presiden-
tial term expired the period OF virginian AS
cendency and OF Congressional caucus dictation
-partly because Monroe was not great enough
10 perpetuate the prestige Of the system BY
which he had proited. and partly because he
was too upright and scrupulous to use In the
interest OF Crawford the levers OF influence
which had apparently boen worked In his own
behalf.
It is curious. as we review Monroe's life. to
note how seldom he profltsd by his orportuni-
ties. He was a man OF good. though not by any
means distinguished. station in the colonial
society OF Virginia. and when he entered the
Continental army lie had fairer prospect Of
promotion than had many men who rose to in
dependent commands. Yet he saw but little
active service. and was fain to content himself
with the grade OF Lieutenant Colonel. He failed
In his mission to England and SPAIN and
although the Louisiana purchase was
sffectsd while no was onvoy to France.
he had much less to do with that mo-
meAtous transaction than his colleague
Liwngston. As Secretary Of State and War
under Madison. he was held responsible In .
large measure for the discrsditahIe conduct Of
the campaign which witnessed tho capture and
destruction OF Washington. and the most Inn
pOrtant incident Of his two Presidential terms
vas the enuncation Of tho so-called Monroe
Doctrine. Of which II Is worry questionable
whether he was the author. In view Of facts
like these 1t Is somewhat difficult to provo that
James Monroe has q much better title to
remembrance than have other third-rats mon
like Polk and Pierce. who have boon elected
President Certainly It is by no means clear
that he belongs in higher category than that
In which Martin Van Buren and James Blu
chAnsn would be classsd
hut while such seems to be the prevailing
opinion OF the fifth President. Mr.. Gilman. as
wa have said resolutely refuses to accept 1t.
Let US note some OF the grounds on which he
WOuIu appear from tuO pOpuIbT v6TulCt- Al tuS
plea for reconsideration with which he closes
the biography he recalls some favorable es-
Inmates Of Monroe In the writings Of his con-
temporaries He reminds US that Washington
said in reference to MOnroe's not specially dis
tinguished military career: he has In every
instance maintained the reputation Of brave.
active. and sensible officer" But Mr.. Gilman
forgets to add that q good many years later
Washington. in his private notes on Monroe's
View OF the Conduct OF the Executive" made
some severe reflections on tho abilities and
behavior OF the author OF that pamphlet
1t Ia true. on the other hand. that JEFF
ferson said Of him. The is q man
whose soul might be turned wrong eide out
ward without discovering . blemish to the
world" We doubt whether Hamilton or Ham,
ilton's friends. remembering Monroe's relation
emit blographer ailudes very curSorlIyI would
have used terms Of such unmeasured eulogy.
It would have been fragrant exhibition Of in
gratitude on the part OF Thomas Jefferson had
he failed to speak with the utmost kindness Of
James Monroe. for never did great man find
In . second-rate man q moro doclle devoted
and indeiatigable lieutenant
We may note further that Monroe was singu-
larry useful and loyal to Madison ;indesd. had he
lifted q hand to encourage his friends he might
perhaps have been tho fourth instead OF tho NTH
President As 1t was. he received nearly as
many votes as Madison in the Congressional
caucus. whose decision was at that time final.
In view OF such facts 1t would not have been
surprising II the eldor man had chosen words
OF even less qualified eulogy than tho follow
Ing: His [Monroo'sl unders landing was very
much moderated: his judgment was particu-
larly good; few men have made moro Of what
may DO called sacrifices in the service OF the
public" From John Quincy Adams the biog-
fNOl0r quotas words NJ DlOWinD prnia
but they were spoken In set panegyric. on one
OF those occasions when 1t seems ungraceful to
Gull adjectives too warlly. Here again We must
remember that the speaker was under heavy
obligations to Monroe for the perfect impair.
ttality OF his attitude toward the members Of
hS rival dons for
what the older Virginia statesmen Ind done a,
Jackson would in ali likelihood have been con
csntratod on Crawford OF Georgia, and John
dent Of the States s's The @
.Sn n ss s9s "a ssatu he
anxIous and unwearied in the pursuit O
truth and rEht patient Of inqn5y Patient
and Ar Arm In Its final conciusions"
sy VIII s0's suna f' to 5bsry an sAfass
ns a ana satSs was puS n,hG Servant P1 hsn
= statesman. Most OF them. indeed. can be
reGoneisd with Denton's sober and dis.
Rsnton.' had none none; Of the mental Qualities
which dazzle and astonish mankind. Blu,
g had discretion which seldom com.
ked to tho. public good; Il frmness OF will
hich carried him resolutely upon his object
and perseverance, that yielded to no obstacle
or reverse" In view. too. OF some unsavory ex-
smples OF widely different behavior which arc
fam iliHr to our time Mr.. Gilman has done well
20 recall the emphatic testimony OF John Nc.
Lean TO the purity OF Monroe's action In the
distr ibution OF Executive appointments. Per
sonal motives. either as they regarded the
President himself or the person appointed
vera lost in higher considerations OF duty.
A Correct View OF Mary Stuart.
There is no more interesting problem In
the study OF human character regarded as in
lar, IL