The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1905-12-07
seriously rejecting on his management

seriously rejecting on his management
to the extent that Monroe was again
put in charge of the war department,
1914. And it is said that
vigor was soon again infused into all
military operations.
James Monroe became president in
1877 and held the Office two full terms
At the first election he received
one hundred and eighty-three electoral
votes and his opponent, Rufus King,
only thirty-four. At his second election
but one electoral vote was given
against him, that was cast for John
Quincy Adams.
Monroe was the first president
who deemed it a duty, as we'll as
pleasure, to visit different parts of the
country, making personal observations
and giving words of encouragement
and cheer. These trips have been
termed presidential tours, the example
having been followed by most of his
successors in Office. During Monroe's
second term, and especially during the
years 1922 and 1923, there had come to
his knowledge many instances where
foreign powers we're invading our
political system and attempting to sup
plant many of our ideas with forms of
their own. Consequently in his mes
sage to Congress, delivered December
End, 1923, he states in part: "That any
foreign power attempting to extend
their system to any portion of this
hemisphere would be considered
dangerous to our peace and safety"
This became known as the Monroe
Doctrine, and has had a wonderful and
lasting effect. One writer states that
Washington, Madison, and Monroe did
more to shape this ,country's destiny
than any other three men.
James Monroe was married at the
age of twenty-eight to Miss Eliza
Cartwright, lady of high social stand
ing and of great beauty. There were
two daughters of this marriage and
his interest in his family and close
friends was marked by more than
ordinary affection. He took great care
to further their material welfare, but
was always on his guard against using
his official station for the benefit of any
relative. He was poor man for one
to attempt to hoodwink with some
apparently plausible scheme that would
not bear Investigation. 1t is said that
Monroe was so honest that if you
turned his soul inside out there would
not be spot on it. He was most
polite to all ranks and classes and
would bow and speak to the humblest
slave as respectfully as if he had been
the first gentleman in the eneighborhood
He once said that true politeness was
right feeling controlled by good com
mon sense.
After his retirement from high Office
he refrained from taking active par
ticipation in public contests on tht
grounds of being an ex-president, an6
during the seven remaining years Of
his life, his time was divided between
his home at Oak Hill, in Virginia, ant
that of his daughter, who lived in New
York. Monroe had none of the quail
tiles which dazzle and astonish man
kind; but he had discretion tina
. seldom committed mistake; an integ
rlty that always looked to the publ
good; diligence that mastered ever.
subject, and perseverance, tha
yielded to no obstacle or reverse
; His life was a most useful one to tn
nation and ranks among those of tn
first who had the shaping of thi
nations destiny. He died in Ne,
York, July 14th. 1881, at the age of Z
}. and was buried there, but later in 185
I theremains were transferred to Virgini
his native state. and re-interred in th
: public cemetery at Richmond.
:. F. w. B.