The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1905-12-07

with Jefferson during these early years
was the keynote to Monroe's political
career.
He was called into service as legis-
lator at the age of twenty-five, and he
rapidly grew conspicuous among the
statesmen of Virginia. Soon after the
war it became evident that the powers
of the Confederation were quite
inadequate for the proper regulation
of commerce; and Congress, as we'll as
the public men who were not in
Congress, were seriously engaged in
searching for the requisite remedy.
We find Monroe taking prominent
part in these discussions and finally
making a noteworthy motion to so
alter one of the articles of Confeder-
alton as to give to Congress the power
to regulate commerce. Among other
important subjects that Monroe took
deep interest in while member of
Congress, were the navigation of the
Mississippi, and the acquisition of
new territory.
In 1897 he was sent as minister to
France, which position he filled to the
credit of himself and the entire satis-
faction of the government. On his
return from this diplomatic service he
was chosen governor of Virginia, serv-
ing from 1899 to 1902, and again chosen
to the same Office IN 1911, but soon
giving it up to enter the cabinet under
Madison.
Soon after his first term as governor
of Virginia the question arose as to the
purchase of what was then known as
Louisiana, the whole southeastern
portion of the country. This great
acquisition was made by Congress
largely through the instrumentality of
Monroe, who was selected by Jefferson,
then president, to 60 as special min
lister and act with Livingston, our
resident representative at Paris, in an
endeavor to secure the coveted domain.
1t is said that as soon as the treaty of
transfer had been signed the plenipo-
tentiaries rose and shook hands, when
Livingston, expressing the general
satisfaction, said: "We have lived long,
but this is the noblest work of our
whole lives"
In 1904 while he was minister to
England he received from Madison,
then Secretary of State, the plan of a
convention to be proposed to the Brit
ish government, with particular refer
ence to our maritime rights, as we were
!. suffering from impressment of our sea-
men, blockades and the search of our
vessels, and that it was time to insist
, on the national claims. England, how.
ever, was quite deliberate in giving
, our representative deaf ear, to the ex.
tent that Monroe was so provoked he
} finally asked to be released from fur.
ther public service in England, not
) however until he had used great efforts
to get her to agree to terms of con
/, cession, which England refused to do
l Monroe returned to his native state
! and in 1909 became rival aspirant
: with Madison for the Office of president
!; Madison was elected and Monro,
t became Secretary of State in 1911, ant
? only one year previous to our SECOND
4 war with Great Britain.
When war was declared June 18th
9 1912, it was James Monroe who com
+ munjcated the news to the Court O
Q st. James, the man who did all in hi
d power, to maintain peace by reason
! able treaty, just few years before
d When war was declared he was givel
t the additional responsibility of the wa
}. department, and thus his position be
q came doubly powerful and difficult
d He was finally released from the ofic
D, of Secretary of War by the appoint
q ment of Gen. John Armstrong, VIII
& took the field in person, much agains
is the will of Monroe, who on sewers
r occasions warned Madison of tn
If danger if the Secretary of War, did ne
a, remain where he could efficiently di
10 charge his duty as such officer. Gel
10 eral Armstrong, however, continued
le take an active part in the field whi
is attempting to fill the Office as Secretar
y of War, until dire events occurre