***(Editor’s Note: In conjunction with the Inauguration of America’s 44th President, “The Thirsty Quill” is publishing a series entitled “Ranking The Presidents.” There is no ‘exact science’ to these rankings other than personal opinion based on such factors as policy, performance, popularity, perseverance, integrity, and legacy. Aside from those Presidents ranked in the top 25% and the bottom 25%, there is a great deal of ‘wiggle room’ for discretionary placement and movement. These rankings are strictly the personal opinion of the Editor of ‘The Quill,’ and should not be regarded as an academic survey of any type. Debate of these rankings is highly encouraged and appreciated.)***

Disclaimer: This is where things became very, very difficult for me in setting the Presidential Rankings. From #43 up through #14, the process was fairly easy to navigate, and #’s 4-1 were “locked” into their positions from the early stages. Yet, #’s 13-5 were perhaps the most difficult to draw distinctions between, as each man contributed so many things to the success of America. As Presidents # 13-5 are divided into their respective rankings and groups, please know that their positioning was the most difficult for me to assign.  

#10: James Monroe (1817-1825)

Now we’ve reached the Top-10, and we have clearly crossed the threshold into what I consider the “Elite” among the Presidents. These ten men are clearly a ‘cut above’ the rest, and while I do respect all of the others, it takes a great deal to crack into the Top-10 of this esteemed list.

We’ll now turn our attention to James Monroe, the 5^th President of the United States. Born in 1758, Monroe was a proud native of Virginia (a common theme among several in the Top-10). He didn’t wait long to leave his mark upon the pages of American history. When Monroe was only 15 years old in 1773, he broke into an arsenal maintained by the British, stealing over 300 swords and 200 muskets (all of which he ‘donated’ to the Virginia Militia). Just a few short years later, Monroe was a Lieutenant Colonel with the Continental Army during the Revolution. He was only 20 years old at the time.

Politically, Monroe rose to great prominence in the early days of our new nation. His posts included a position in the Continental Congress by age 25, stints as an international Ambassador and Diplomat to France, the United States Senate, Governor of Virginia, Secretary of State, and Secretary of War. Toss in the small feat of negotiating the Louisiana Purchase, and we’ve got ourselves quite a President…in the making. These were all a part of Monroe’s pre-Presidential resume.

As President, Monroe had quite an impressive list of accomplishments as well. He oversaw the acquisition of Florida from Spain in 1819 and instituted the Monroe Doctrine in 1823. The latter is one of the most misunderstood documents in American history. We’ve all heard it mentioned time and time again, yet most people have very little knowledge of what the doctrine actually implied. In the grand scheme of things, it really wasn’t all that special here at home. Don’t get me wrong, it was quite significant, but it had more to do with Latin America and the United States’ posturing in the face of European expansion, than any domestic program or initiative. It did however, set a strong tone in regard to the American continents, and it sent an even stronger message to the monarchs of Europe. Therefore it is hailed as one of the more poignant decrees of our American heritage.

Monroe was highly-regarded for reaching out across party lines and sectional differences. He filled his Cabinet and other appointments with both Northerners and Southerners, as the escalating sectional crisis was becoming more and more obvious during his tenure. The Missouri Compromise of 1820 underscored just how quickly things were escalating between the interests of Slave States and Free States. Monroe agreed that the admission of Missouri as a Slave State and Maine as a Free State, thus maintaining the delicate balance between the two sides in Congress, was a fair compromise that could hold regional attitudes in check. He was incorrect on this assessment in the long run.

James Monroe also had to deal with one of the worst financial crises in American history. The “Panic of 1819” led to a severe depression, and the country looked to Monroe for leadership. The “Panic” lasted for four years, until 1823. During that time there were a great deal of foreclosures, massive layoffs and high unemployment, bank and business failures, and a general slowdown of production in America. Sound familiar?

Monroe was so popular during his first term that no one ran against him in his reelection campaign. Curiously, Monroe purchased a large plot of farm land in Charlottesville, Virginia that would later become home to the University of Virginia. Monroe died on July 4^th, 1831, and is one of three Presidents to have died on our Independence Day (along with John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, both in 1826). Monroe is buried in the same cemetery as John Tyler in Richmond, Virginia. 

Notable Quotations: “In this great nation there is but one order…that of the people!”

“The right of self-defense never ceases. It is among the most sacred, and alike necessary to nations and to individuals.”

“Let us, by all wise and Constitutional measures, promote intelligence among the people, as the best means of preserving our liberties.”

“In a government founded on the sovereignty of the people, the education of youth is an object of the first importance.”

“The best form of government is that which is most likely to prevent the greatest sum of evil.”

“A little flattery will support a man through great fatigue.” 

“The circulation of confidence is better than the circulation of money.”