Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-06-29
JOHN RANDOLPH.
From the Aur ora,

No man in the United States, in public
life. has INDUCED himself so frequently and
with so little reserve, in personal remark s
upon others, as Mr.. Randolph. And yet
his own character seems to be but little
understood. The desire of distinction is SO
strong a passion. that when it takes pos
session of a mind of any force, it will, in
some way, accomplish Its ends. To be
conspicuous among mankind, by that supe.
riority which springs from an intellect of
the highest order, concuring with the we'll
governed and well Directed passions, is the
lot of a few mortals in each age whose
examples are cited as the established mear
sures of ability, and fame. These obtain
the title of great men, because they excel
others in the. solid or in the spleadid en-
dowments of capacity and worth. But
there is conspicuousness of less difficult
attainment, which minds of another stamp
know how to reach, and which although
short-lived, rs apt, for the moment, to DE
not less striking than that which rests on
che basis Of undisputed superiority.
Few of the politicians of our country, Of
the class bred since the revolution, have
been so conspicuous as Mr.. Randolph.
This is a mark of some decided qualities
{ In his character. His mind is active and
acute, quick in its perceptions, prompt to
acquire, as we'll as easy to communicate.
II is formed to yield TO It's first thoughts,
without the anxiety of much deliberation
or the toll of research. His warmest fol-
lowers have never ascribed to him any
large stock of knowledge. To do SO, would
!, thwart the kind of praise they are chiefly
DESTROYS to obtain for him. which Pounds it,
self upon his intuitive ability rather than
upon what has been done for him by labor
or education. The requirements of study
would not sit well upon mind so eager, so
impatient, SO tenacious, and SO changeoi.
HE has never, either IN his early or his
latter years, gone through that preparati-
on which is usual among men who have
been distinguished as scholars, orators, or
statesmen, and which all the eminent an.
clients and moderns have regarded as the
surest title to a lasting renown. The H.
formation which he has Is partial aud de 1.
sultory, acquired in starts, without care or
system. In this way 1t is always used=-
being adapted, whether IN writing or de-
bate, to ms own humour, rather than tend
ing to the natural or Logical Illustration OF
the subject before him. He is, without
doubt, a very handsome Speaker. In this
lies the best of what he has from nature
and from art. To speak we'll has been MS
ruling wish. Here he has been assiduous.
The pause, the tone, the emphasis, the
whole manner OF the declaimer he has
successfully practised. But the decisions
of Judgment must limit the praise of orato-
ny to its external parts to whai makes up
delivery 10 attitude, TO gesture, to distinct,
chaste utterance; to happy association OF
personal qualities, which confer upon him as
an hsranguer IN popular asse mbly, some-
thing impressive * commanding. Words iali
from him with force and beauty. No unpr e.
JUDGED man, who has relish for good ,ocu-
tion, but hstene with pleasure while MIR RAM
dolph is speaking. But at this point. his
claims to oratDricai distinction eud. You
hear him with pleasure, bu you remember
little of what has amused you. In the
higher attributes of eloquence nc belongs to
just criticism To assign him ms true place
--ln that stretch of comprehension which
can ably discuss the questions Of policy and
interest thae affect a nations welfare IN
the profound Investigations which can
pierce through subjects developing upon
all sides light and truth IN the powers
that can reason, and persuade and convince,
corDsellng with wisdom, instrucung with
knowledge, and em6eilshng with taste
IN these walks of eloguencs Mr.. Randolph
is rot to be found. He Can censure and he
can asseTt But in the depth, in the dig
NIFTY, IN the Charms of true eioqpence IN
+. the exalted characteristics of this art,
who, that is acquainted with its standards
of excellence, viii rank Mr. Randolph
His speeches never propose the aims which
the subject before the hoass or tine objects
before the nation require and what il
remarkable they never, by any just con-,
bections, end with establishing what they
even SGT out to prove. Their matter and
language are guided alike by the speakers
whim. \ object not To him the neglect OF
formal scholastic divisions. But, in place
ot the lucidus orGo, there are found, in his
speeches, IDEAS the most unconnected,
facts inc most irrelatiye, and reasoniDgs
tue most iDappl.caole, wildly thrown TO.
geiner into one heap. He has read the
DRAGONS OF Chatham aud Burke, and 1t
IS probable he has taken them, ia some
respects, as ais models. But how shall a
parallel be drawn between them What
forms but an occasional break IN the spen-
did. flow of their oratory--personality and
invect;ve ARE all the reliance of his. In
the intellectual force, In the universal
knowledge; in the enlarged, aud ALL.
grssping views in those stupendous fac.
mites which can range through all orders
81 society and mankind, deducing maxims
Of polIcy and legislation from the eternal
ptiaC pes there TO DC found, aud expoundr
ing them 10 direct nations course-in
such quaities--superaddin the touches oil
fancy and tasle winch deceive the length