Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-05-04
found The man who dares cast a blemish

touHu tur uissl WIZ uUiSs SaSt q Dteiussh
on his integrity.
As an individual mixing in society with
other gentlemen, he is affable, petite and
agreeable in the highest degree. Not a
word ever escapes which can wound the
feelings OF companion, unless drawn
from him by the conduct Of others. His
conversation though generally serious and
instructive, rs sometimes replete with wit,
and sparkies with life. The most SUPER
fetal observer would pronounce him to be
perfectly the well bred gentleman. He
pretends no: indeed to those foppish irip-
peries, those Sinking smiles, those pref
~ little accomplishments, those sweet en-
chanting grimaces, which have so much
distinguished some of his com-patriots, a
RutledSe, an Otis or Van Ness. His
breeding, his demeanor, his conversation,
his whole department are those of man
and gentleman, not the affected graces
OF dancing master. In his person he is
cleanly, fashionable and gcntcel. His
dress never runs into any awkward ex-
treme, and neither provokes the laughter
OF the silly votaries of absurd and foolish
fashions, or the malice Of those who de-
spise fashion entirely but is always plain,
convenient and neat. You see about him
none of those minute attentions to trifles,
in the adjustment of which many Of our
most renowned statesmen spend more
time, than in preparing to elucidaie the
most difficult and important subjects of ma
tional utility. And on the other hand he
avoids the more unpleasant and equally RE
diculous extreme OF ostentatious and slo-
venly negligence.
AS an orator it may without fear of con-
tradiction be asserted that he is now the
first IN our national councils. Superior TO
Otis and Bayard in The graceful and 6ow-
ing ro,undity of expression, unrivalIed in
the ease and propeiety of his gestures, Sc.
cond only to Giles in the peculiar force,
precision and strength of his manner, I'M
affected in his delivery, free from the the
atrical cant of Governeur Morris, and pos.
sessing all the simplicity and earnestness
OF Marshall and Harper, he cannot be
heard without a conviction Of the reeiitude
of his intentions. His method like his
heart is clear, and lucid. He exposes the
strong points of his subject TO the light at
once; he reasons, conyinces and per-
suades; and the nearer is nsensibly seiz-
eel with that enthusiasm which it ought
always TO be the Object of the great ora
tor TO produce. His eloquence is like the
torked lightning, inveighing against the
public defaulter, the corrupt Judge, or the
pretended patriot. The guilty hear, and
quake and tremble."
As man he is virtuous, generous and
humane. And it is the conviction that he
possesses these qualities in the very high
est degree which produces such an extern
sive effeG upon his audience.
AS statesman, let the success of his
measures decide what are his claims. And
II will not be going too far to say that the
highest honors this country can bestow
will one day reward the merit of John Ran
dolph.
This is not the panegyric of an intimate
personal friend, who looks up to him as a
patron or protector, but the sincere OPT
Mon of one who when reading the speech
esand examiningt conduct Of X andolph,
has often felt his heart expand with delight
that he too is
AN AMERICAN CITIZEN.
April Is, 1905.