James Madison Papers

James Madison to Richard Rush, 15 March 1831

Montpellier Mar. 15th. 1831

I thank you, my dear Sir, for the Gazette kindly put under cover to me. It derives particular interest from the Columns subscribed "Temple." I had seen the preceding publication, bearing that fictitious name, with a ready inference of the real one.

The general character of the Whig party in England is as eloquently painted as the position & perplexity of its leaders now in power, are accurately delineated. There is certainly too much nobility, tho’ it be Whig nobility, in the administration, to flatter the popular hopes; and too much of the spirit of the Cast, in the head of it, to meet that of the nation, on any ground on which Reform can be stationary. Much however, will depend, for a time at least, on external experiments & examples. The Government in its actual form of King Lords & Commons is stronger in the opinions & feelings of the people, than that of any of the absolute Monarchies; and tho’ not so strong as these, in its military establishment, (as long as the materials of such Establishments can be relied on) it is more so in the moral & political apparatus which upholds it. A little time will substitute certainty for conjecture, as to the course which the Pilot will steer. Whether little or much will be required to determine the port to be finally entered is less certain.

We were disappointed as well as sorry to hear of your migration in a Northern direction, before, with Mrs. Rush, you had made your promised trip in the opposite one. The distance however is not such as to make us dispond of that gratification. In the mean time Mrs. Madison unites in renewed assurances to you both, of our affectionate remembrances, and of all our best wishes.

James Madison

FC (DLC).

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