It is a great honor to pay tribute to one of Virginia’s greatest sons, President James Monroe on the occasion of his 250th birthday. The great vision and influence of James Monroe extended over a longer period of American history than that of almost any other founder. No executive had had more experience of his own. To call the roll of Monroe’s accomplishments is like reading a history of the young Republic. Like Washington, he had an inner calm and solidity of character that inspired confidence and an “Era of Good Feeling.” From service at Washington’s side during the Revolution, and service in the first Congress, to acquisition of the Louisiana Territory under Thomas Jefferson, to the successful prosecution of the War of 1812 as Secretary of State and Secretary of War under James Madison, to the seminal statement of American Foreign Policy that is the Monroe Doctrine — James Monroe’s impact on our nation has been significant and long lasting.
As President Reagan said two decades ago: “Americans have always known the importance of protecting the New World from the depredations, of foreign imperial powers. . .enforcing the Monroe Doctrine is as important today as ever before if we and our neighbors are to remain free. . .the universal truth must be spread that when Freedom is robbed from any human being all people suffer.”
Monroe was a champion of states’ rights, he was a national leader who guided the new nation into an international role (owing in part to his experience as Minister to France, England and Spain), and through Monroe, America was able to spread “from sea to shining sea.” The last of our Founding Fathers, he was first “son of the Republic” and first among a new generation of leadership, including John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun, and Andrew Jackson, all of whom served under his direction. He was a calm leader during tumultuous and challenging times, James Monroe was a trustworthy guardian of the freedom of his fellow citizens.
As we honor him during the 250th anniversay of the year of his birth (April 28, 1758 in Westmoreland County), we should reflect on the character and achievements of James Monroe; and give thanks that such leaders have been provided unto this nation at critical moments of our history.
James Monroe is the type of leader we are searching for today.
Your Invitation to the 250th Birthday Commemorations
Filed under: Virginia Politics
[...] 250th Birthday to our 5th President, and the last member of the great Virginia triumvirate, James Monroe. [...]