The National tribune., 1900-10-11

most men in the political history of the
Republic. He advocated strongly the
Convention of the States that abrogated
the old Articles of Confederation and the
formation of the Constitution of the
United States. He is regarded as the
chief Trainer of the Constitution, and his
Interpretation in all his executive acts
shows how thoroughly imbued he was
with its import.
1t was Madison, however, who offered
the Alien and Sedition laws during
Adams's Administration, and he was also
the author Of the Virginia Resolutions of
1I9S, which were to forestall the increase
of the power of the Federal Government
by its own construction of clauses in the
Constitution. He advocated the claims of
the United Colonies to the Western Ter
ritory, and to the free navigation of the
Mississippi River.
Madison became the incumbent of the
Presidential chair at an unfortunate De-
riod; gloom, depression and discomfort
hung like pail over the young Republic.
A short time before Massachusetts had
emphatically asserted that Our agricul-
ture is discouraged, the fisheries aban-
doned, navigation forbidden, under the
Embargo Act; our commerce at home re-
strained, If not annih:lated; our commerce
abroad cut off, our navy sold, dismantled
or degraded to the service of cutters or
gunboats; the revenue extinguished the
course of justice interrupted, and the Ma
ton weakened by internal animosities and
Iivlsions, at the moment when il is IN
necessarily and improYidentIy exposed to
war with Great Britain, France and
Spain"
Although some allowance must be made
for cxaggeration through party feeling, YET
these statements were, in the main, cor.
robOrated. We have seen that the En-
barge Act had become so unpopular that
it was repealed three days before Jeffer-
son retired from Office. The effects Of a
ruined commerce Madison had to shoul-
der. The people of the Northeastern
States were nervous over the condition of
affairs, but they decided to hope for the
best. es Madison was known as an hon
orable man, and had been connected with
both political parties, and therefore must
know all conflicting opinions and would
probably adopt some cOnciliatory middle
course. He, however, settled upon adopt
ing the policy of jefferson. He wished
to avoid war with England, and sought
through diplomacy to avert the dangers
thrown out by England and France in
the attitude taken with neutrals. When
the Embargo Act was repealed q Non.
intercourse act was passed as substitute.
In May, 1910, this act expired, and Madi-
son caused proposals to be made to both
England and France that if either would
revoke its hostile edict the Nonintercourse
Act should be revived and enforced
against the nation not acceding to this
request. France eagerly accepted the
proposition and revoked her edicts that
were IN violation TO the neutral commerce
of the United States, which act was fol
lowed by proclamation from Madison
In compliance with the promise of the Non
Intercourse Act against England. As q
matter of course this increased Eng.
lands hostility, and one year later for
mai declaration of war was declared by
the United States. A month later a proc.
iamation by President Madison set apar,
day for fasting and prayer, in which
he recommended that they implore tn.
assistance of the Sovereignty of the UNI
verse that He would inspire all nations
with love Of justice and of concord and
with reverence for the unerring pre-
cept of our holy religion to do to others
as they would require that others should
do to them; and, finally, that, turning the
hearts Of our enemies from the violence
and injustice which sway their councils
against US, He would hasten a restoration
OF the blessings of peace"
Another difficult problem Madison had
10 deal with at this juncture, when war