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Restoration celebration at Montpelier brings together admirers of President James Madison, including descendants of his family and slaves who worked on his sprawling estate
By CLINT SCHEMMER James and Dolley Madison would have loved it. Especially Dolley, ever the lively and gracious hostess. Constitution Day became a festive occasion yesterday as several thousand appreciative guests turned out at Montpelier to honor the Madisons and celebrate the restoration of their Orange County home. Appearing once again as President Madison and his wife knew it, Montpelier made its formal debut after a painstaking, five-year, $24 million makeover. Now, the restorers believe, the red-brick mansion can take its place with Monticello and Mount Vernon--the homes of Thomas Jefferson and George Washington--among the architectural gems where America's founders can be better understood by the public. U.S. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., who attended with Associate Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., lauded the restoration. But Roberts said the most fitting memorial to Madison is what he helped create: a "free country governed by the rule of the law." PBS broadcaster Jim Lehrer, while just as respectful of Madison's achievements as architect of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, took a less solemn view. "A pundit once commented, many years ago, that 'Madison's great genius is that he invented a government that could be run by idiots,' No offense intended," said Lehrer, getting a laugh from the VIPs and politicians assembled beneath the home's Palladian-style front portico. Lehrer stressed that all Americans, including those in the big crowd that spilled down Montpelier's front lawn, owe their rights to the work of Madison and his colleagues, who signed the Constitution 221 years ago to the day. Lehrer thanked the Montpelier Foundation, the site's steward, "for giving us a place where James Madison can finally be found." 'MADISON IS BACK' Richard Moe, president of the foundation's parent, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, recalled the daunting challenges faced when the trust acquired the 2,650-acre property in 1984 from equestrian Marion duPont Scott's estate.
1. Be respectful. No personal attacks.
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