New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-24
the moderate ones who stood by the govern
ment during the war.


ment during the war.
To give effect TO free government and secure II
from future danger ought its decided
friends who stood firm In the DAY Of trial. to
be principally relied on? Would not the asso-
citation Of any of their opponents in the ao-
rninistration itself wound their feelings, or, at
least of very many OF them. to the injury OF the
republican cause? Might it not be considered
by the other party as an offer Of comproniilse
with them. which would lessen the ignomlny
due to the councils which produced the hart
ford convention. and thereby have a tendency
to revive that party Oh its former principles
My impression is that the Administration should
rest strongly the republican party, indulg-
ing toward the other spirit OF MODERATION
and evincing a desire to discriminate between
its members and to bring the whole into the
republican fold quick as possible
Such principles meant personal politics." of
the kind which developed in Monroe's own mis-
called ERA of good feeling" In the earlier days
before Madison became President. he was pre-
pared 20 lead opposition of the same per
sonal nature If occasion offered. He not
quite candid on the question Of Presidential
succession. To jefferson. in February. 1SoS he
writes that he will be an inactive spectator OF
the election. and that should the nation be dis
posed to call any citizen to that station it would
be his duty to accept it. On that ground 1 rest
have done nothing to draw attention of any one
70 me in reference to it, nor shall in future
He paws tribute to Madison. and promises sup
port for his administration in case OF his cleo
ton Yet later find him planning to win
New York and Massachusetts,. and ready even
to accept the support of the Federalists il ne
can do so without giving Republicans chance
to impeach his loyalty and represent his opposi-
ton to Madison as a fight outside Of party lines
This movement came TO nothing. and for the
next two wears Monroe's correspondence plainly
revealed his restrained dissatisfaction. His re-
WAS freUu defended,
administrators vacillating policy of embargoes
and non-intercourse acts dissected- If he could
have foreseen. that. after trying war to secure
better terms, Madison would be glad to accept
a treaty as silent his own on impressments
and neutral rights. he would have felt more
than ever justified. 1t is impossible not 10 sym
pathize with his reflection in a letter TO John
Taylor: Some doubted my integrity; many
thought had been too long from home. and
had lost in Britain some part of those sound
principles for which they had once given me
credit as Mr. Adams was said to have done be-
fore me-" Such suspicion seems to be perennial
with certain class of Americans. and minis
tiers in London in the time Of Lowell Bayard
and Hay have encountered the same difficulties
as Adams and Monroe in trying faithfully to
serve their country.
Two characteristic examples Of Monroe's self
centred and suspicious temper are found in let
tiers to DR.. Everett and Senator Brent. The for
ner by the way, is misdated-either by writer
or editor-September %, 1909. for December or
the same day and year. is shown by compari-
son with the latter. in which the same events are
narrated and reference is made to the CORE
spondence Of a friend. who is evidently DR.. Ev-
erett Wilson Cary Nicholas. of Monroes dis
trict. resigned from Congress. This happened
just after Monroe had set out on long Journey
and he Immediately concluded that it was timed
to prevent him from being candidate. He
complained bitterly about 1t, but consoled HIM
self with the reflection that his affairs were in
bad shape and he did not want the office any
how. When, however, early in 1911. he had
chance to take the Governorship. his pressing
necessities We're no obstacle and while still pro-
Tossing independence he readily gave assurance
that he was not unfriendly to the administra-
ton.
Thus he was again brought into the current OF
success and power. He was Governor only
few months and was then invited by Mr.. Madf
son to become Secretary of State. Still his let
tiers do not lose the marks Of self-consciousness-
At the outbreak OF the War Of ISL he felt the
longing for military command but never could
speak Of it without giving assurance that the
plan of sending him into the field was the Presi-
dents, to which he would have yielded against
his will. His letters to Madison, complaining OF
and almost urging the dismissal OF ms co4IeaSue
General Armstrong the Secretary of War. would
seem objectionable If Armstrong; unfitness was
not so plain. Even as it is. his evident anxiety
TO assume military command and his insistence
on remaining at the head of the War Depart
ment after being put in temporary control on
the burning Of Washington and the resignation
Of Armstrong do not make favorable impress
sion On the other hand, Monroe was doubtless
the most competent available He was
neither tinlid nor vacillating Lord Holland.