Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-02

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PgEslDENT JAMES MONROE.
though they are always well-timed, judi
cious. and evidently the offspring OF an
obliging and philanthropic temper are
never performed with the striking anu
grace OF Marlborough or 30
lingbroke. To be plain, there Is OFTEN III
his manner an iDartifcial and even aWh-
ward simplicity. which, while 1t provokes
the smile OF a more polished person.
forces him to the opinion that Mr.. Monroe
is a man Of most sincere and artless
soul"
Another one OF Monroe's biographers
said Of him: THAT love of country ana
devotion to duty appeared to me to De
the explanation of his success in life, ana
the powers bestowed upon him." There
are many estimates of Monroe 10 be
found in letters Of friends and contem-
poraries. Jefferson said of him: he II
a man whose soul might be turned wrong
side out without disclosing blemish 10
the world. John Quincy Adams delivers
this eulogy: "Of mind anxious and uh-
wearied in the pursuit of truth and right,
patient OF inquiry, patient or contra
diction courteous even in the COLLISION
of sentiment. sound in its ultimate Judg-
mems, and firm In fts final conclusions.
John Mclean pays him this compAmeh.
I'm regard to his Executive appointments
while President: personal motives,
either as they regarded the President
himself or the person appointed, were
lost In higher considerations Of duty"
This was practically illustrated, for
during Monroe's administration no reia-
tive or connection received an appoint
ment from him. Thus he avoided in his
high trusts even the appearance or evil
Professor Gilman, in his life Of Monroe
saws: 1.-The one idea which he represents
consistently from the beginning TO the
end of his career is this. that America
is for Americans. He resists the British
authority from his early yoTth; he insists
on the importance of free navigation IN
the Mississippi, he negotiates the pur-
chase of Louisiana and Florida, he gives
a vigorous impulse to the prosecution OF
the second war with Great Britain when
neutral rights were endangered; finally,
he announces the Monroe doctrine"
Next to Mt. Vernon and Monticello
he TWO most historically interesting
homes in Virginia are Montpelier, the
nome Of President Madison, and Oak Hill,
he home of Monroe. Oak Hill Is an
Imposing and stately old mansion, built
by MIR. Monroe more than seventy years
ago. The house was planned by Monroe,
but the building was superintended by
Mr.. William Benton. an Englishman. me
house is Of brick, and built in the most
substantial manner, and handsomely FUR
nished, both exterior and interior. me
house is three stories, including the base
10 mt framing
with massive Dorlc columns thirty feet
high. and is surrounded by a grove Of
magnificent oaks. Oak Hill can be seen
for miles before you reach II, and Is
situated I'm Loudoun county, three miles
from Leesburg, midway between the Po-
tomac and the Blue Ridge. To the north
east can be seen the Catoctin mountains,
while the Sugar Loaf can be seen In
the distance In Maryland, rising nearly
200 feet above the waters OF the Potomac;
TO the west is the famous Blue Ridge.
while TO the south the Mountain of Bun
Run, hid from sight the battle OF that
name, fought during our civil war. Inc
house teens with historic interests. In the
dining-room and drawing-rooms are the
beautifully-carved marble mantels sent by
I.afavette from France to Mr.. Monroe.
and before leaving this country on MS
asst visit he spent several days at OAK
nm. Some OF Mr.. Monroe's furniture
still remains in the old home. The ma
hogany dining-table is especially manu-
sorne and was made abroad for Mr.. Mon
roe and is of the most generous ol-
mansions. 1t is circular and over six teet
I'm diameter. Another interesting rehc
10 the ebony table containing a very
handsome set OF ivory chessman now
yellow with age. As one reverently nm
GERS the ivory men what train or
associations and thought IT brings 10
mind: the hands that once guided these
hits OF ivory, and proudly marched the
king and queen to victory have years
ago given up the hard-fought battle OF
life and Welded to thu king or Kings,
while they remain to attest the frailty
of human life and ambitions. Monroe
ike jefferson, throughout his latter days.
suffered great pecuniary EMBARRASSMENT
and Il was pitiful that In his old age a
man who had so faithfully served his
country from the age OF l6, and against
whose honesty not one word could be
uttered, should be so utterly reduced.
Eepecially was this hard when the ex-
penditures he had incurred were to a
great extent required by the positions TO
which his country had called him, and
for which they had not made the proper
remuneration. Lafayette, in the most
generous and delicate manner, offered him
assistance, as was noted In previous
article on Monroe and Lafayette. in the
Times
oak Hnl. after Mr.. Monroes death
was bought by his s0n-in-.aw. Mr.. Gou-