Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 12.pdf/37

 18

THE FIRST TEN SECRETARIES OF STATE. II. BY SALUE E. MARSHALL HARDY. TEFFERSOX appointed James Madison He became an ardent Democrat, and was years covered States. I secretary old, a and troublous of state. his eight time Heyears for was the forty-three of service United a member of the First Congress. He did so much for the success of the Democratic party that, when Jefferson became president, in 180 1, he made him his secretary of A biographer of James Madison says state. truly: "Simply to be such a man as he, The Rev. Mr. Weaver, in writing of the is to leave a benediction behind as a legacy appointment, says: "Scarcely could Mr. for after years. No human position can give Jefferson have made a wiser choice. Mr. honor to such a man! He is himself honor Jefferson was a man of strong impulses and able above all offices or places. He honors radical action and speech. He was liable the highest place more than it honors him." under provocation to be an extremist. He He was a descendant of an Englishman who was elected as a radical Democrat, whom settled in Virginia. His mother's maiden the high Federalists regarded as a leveler, a name was Eleanor Conway. He was born Jacobin, a contemner of law and religion. March 16, 1751, in King George, Virginia, Extreme feelings were in the ascendant. and was the eldest of seven children. He Mr. Madison had all along been a moder was a graduate of Princeton, and, through ate Federalist, was a moderate man always, out life, was fond of quoting Doctor With- was profoundly respected by all parties, was erspoon, the president of the college in his one of the authors of " The Federalist," which school days. It is said he studied so hard was that party's Bible. His appointment to as to impair his health for life, that he only the first office in the cabinet was an assur allowed himself three hours' sleep each night, ance of moderation in the Democratic Pre and studied nearly twenty-one out of the sident, and encouraged the Federalists to hope that all was not lost. And this, which twenty-four hours. Thomas Jefferson wrote of him, " Of the worked so well in the beginning, worked power and polish of his pen and of the equally well through the whole administra wisdom of his administration in the highest tion." He held the office during Jefferson's office of the nation, I need say nothing. two terms, and the time was full of impor They have spoken and will forever speak tance to the United States. We had war for themselves." Mr. Madison began but with Tripoli, and during these years Eng land and France both put unbearable re did not finish the study of law. He served in the Virginia legislature strictions upon our trade, and we were three years, and it was through his aid that therefore on the eve of trouble with both Kentucky was separated from Virginia, and those countries. made an independent State. He is said to One of the most important occurrences have prepared more papers for " The Fed during Madison's term as secretary, was the eralist " than any of his co-laborers, except purchase of Louisiana from France, by the United States. In 1801, Spain ceded LouisHamilton.