The Monte Vista journal. (Monte Vista, Rio Grande County, Colo.) 1888-1921, 1911-08-19
Some American Condolences

But the coincidence In his own case
was not the only one In which Mr..
Blaine was interested. Upon one oc-
casion when Mr.. Blaine was entertain.
Ing few friends a. his house in
Washington-it was the year before
bis nomination for president. and at .
time when he was revising the proof
sheets Of the nrst volume Of his monu-
mental work. Twenty Years In Con.
gress"-the conversation turned to-
wards MIR. Blaine's favorite theme, the
political condolences OF American his
tory.
Il have always thought II to have
been the most extraordinary coinci.
dence in our history az q nation that
three Of the ex-presidents Of the Unit
ed States should have died upon tho
Fourth OF July. and another. Garfield.
should have been at deaths door upon
that day. to be snatched at the last
moment. and when apparently in ex-
tremis. from DEATH" said Mr.. Blaine.
The three ex-presidents were Joha
Adams. Thomas Jefferson and James
Monroe. and to me there seems to
have been something more than mere
chance that Jefferson and Adams. two
Of the four statesmen OF the revoiu-
tionary epoch who wrote the Declare.
tion Of Independence. should both
have died on the Fourth Of July ex.
actly nifty years from the date OF the
signing Of the declaration. And have
you ever taken thought that to them.
IN ,h~ ID =.
years after he retired from the prssi.
dency. the fourth day Of July meant
much more than It means to u 1t
this time?
Il very often md myself thinking
Of the career Of Monroe after he an.
ished bis term ~ president" contin.
ued Mr.. Blaine. 1T stands apart from
that Of any other ex.president have
heard from some Of those who knew
Monroe In those days Of bis retire
ment that he was In . serious %
cuniary condition. He went to New
York 10 practice law. because be
found II absolutely necessary to gain
An income. He was neglected In New
York I have heard that he was de-
pendent to some extent for support on
his son.in.iaw: and that II he had not
sold his library to congress for,
think. about $4,000. this great states
man would have been entirely depend.
snt for his support on bis family.
Another pathetic circumstances,
and one little known. l believe. con.
nscted with Monroe's last days has
always attracted me He was buried
In q little cemetery on Second ave
nue.. near stuyvesant Square. New
York. There his body remained for
- years. and II was forgotten BY the
people that this great statesman was
buried IN an obscure cemetery IN the
city which was really bis Temporary
home.
Il have tried 70 and out who SUE.
Ecstsd the removal Of Monroe's bods
to his native state. Virginia think
the suggestion came from one or two
gentlemen Of New York City; I can.
not hnd any record that any one II
Virginia was the originator Of the
movement for the taking Of the body
Of Monroe from New York TO Rich.
moud. hut remember we'll when that
was done. and that q New York rexi.
msnt escorted the remains to Rich.
mond. where appropriate and parma.
nens ssculchrs Of this great president
was made. and an certain tina.
these facts arc but little known a
this time By the American people"
Copyright. 1911. ~ p J. Edwarsas An
Rishts Ressrvsd.D