Lecture on the Character and Services of James Madison; Delivered Before the "Young Men's Association for Mutual Improvement in the City of Albany," February 28, 1837 Volume 203 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1837 edition. Excerpt: ... himself--nor was it from any other cause or motive whatever, than that he had received, into a good and honest heart, after much anxious deliberation, the solemn conviction, that this course of service was demanded of him by every obligation of honor, of faith, and of duty to his country. The opposition both in and out of Congress, very early began to put on the form of a regular, systematic, party organization, with one or more recognized and acknowledged chiefs and leaders; and as one party never exists without another to antagonize it, the support of the administration assumed also to a considerable extent, a party type and character. It is the high praise of Mr. Madison, that, though his intimate and confidential friend was the chosen head of the opposition in the Union, at least for the South, yet, in his own public conduct, he seems never to have failed scrupulously to distinguish between the spirit of party, and the spirit of patriotism. That the opinions of Mr. Jefferson, whose sagacity was almost unequalled, had great weight with him, must undoubtedly have been true: but there are not wanting very notable instances--cases in which the sentiments and projected measures of his friend may be supposed to have commended themselves, in an especial manner, to his favorable regard--but in which the wisdom and honesty of his great mind led him to adopt views of his own, other, and distinct, or greatly modified views, and such as were always beautifully characteristic of himself, and of the principles by which his life was governed. The earliest occasion for opposition on the part of Mb. Madison, was presented by a measure of the administration which originated with Mr. Hamilton, who was then at the head of the Treasury. It was proposed to...