Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1826-05-20
I2TNEA@Y oADNE,
SATURDAY EVENING, MAY 90.
PORTRAIT OF THE OPPOSITION.

numbers, on the character Of the present opposition to
the Administrator Of Mr.. Adams. We commence with
that of John Randolph, which will be followed oy those
of John C.. Calhoun, John Holmes, Robert Y. Hayne,
George M'Dufhe, John Forsyth, John ii. Eaton, Levi
Woodbury. and Jesse Benton.]
JOHN RANDOLPH.--This gentleman, who
has filed so large a place in the public eye, is a ma
tive of Virginia, and esteemed at home as one Of the
most valuable and able statesmen, the Ancient Do
minion has afforded.
Mr.. RANDOLPH is now about fifty five years OF
years Of age his person, though far from being in
elegant, exhibits an emaciated aud sickly aspect,
aud very naturally strikes the observer with de-
gree Of curiosity, and arrests the attention OF those
who chance to behold him.. lie is about six feet
high; his complexion is sallow, and when we last
saw him, he wore his hair long, and tied near his
head with a piece Of leather. In his attire, he Is
generally uniform and tasteful. la his manners, when
he plea.es to be so, he is easy and gentlemanly, and
os a public speaker, he probably exhibits moro ease
and gracefulne.s Of action than any man who has
appeared on the floor of the National Council
Chamber. His voice i: shrill and fun-toned, over
which he has the most perfect %controul; but when
speaking, he keeps on an even course, neither rais-
ins or falling the keys of his voice. His articula-
ton is distinct, even and correct, and so moderate
anu precise, that an Indifferent writer, can report
his speeches with the utmost ease. lie commenced
public life nj an early age, when his appearance III
duced a belief that he had not arrived to the num-
Der Of years required by the Constitution, to enti-
,1a him .o 4, .a,t IA, Copurase anl N m administering
to him the usual oath, the Speaker thought proper
TO inquire of him his age, when he very pertinentiy
replied, Ask my constituents, SIR
The first display he made Of his talents, was in a
Cont of Justice, when examined as a witness by
the late PATRuK HESRY,-and by the %pertipen-
cy:of his,replies TO the iHterrogatories put to him by
that great man, he won the admiration Of the null
titude, and laid the foundation of future fame
The next display was made at Charlotte Court
House, during a political canvas, when PATRICK
HENRY, who had retired to private life, suffered
himself, in the year 1897, to be run as a candidote
to represent the county ofCharlotte, in the Virgil
pia Legislature. At that time French politics had
many adnirer. in this country, and Mr.. RAM
VIM "as tS Ahsh ohANh5 1900 >b
out as the champion and hero of democracy, soon
established himself as a favorite fthat party.
HI vilifed and denounced with impunity the ell
der ADAMS, charged him with a design of subvert-
ins the liberties Of the country, and Of uniting in a
coalition with the British Government, 20 establish
an sristocracy in this Republic. Some Of the
acts of Mr.. ADAMS Administration, called forth
the Iispleasure of the nation, and Mr.. RANDOLPH
conceiving this to be a favorable opportunity for
him to ride into Office, and to gain notoriety, made
the rlost ofthe circumstance, and obtained an un-
parallel popularity in the House OF Representa-
tiyes. His popularity continued till after the year
18CG. wien he commenced a series Of abuse on
Mr.. JLFrERsoN, the very man whom he had wor-
shipped as the god and idol of republicanisin, be-
cause he had disappointed him in some political ex-
pec.at:on.
Atthe time ofthe impeachment ofJudge CHAcE,
he was q manager on the part ofthe House of Re-
presentatlyes, and the malevolence with which he
pursued his eminent jurisi and scholar, added no.
thing to his reputation as a man Of humane and
liberal feelings. II was evident throughout the
whole transaction, that Mr.. RANDOLPH, sought
political fame and individual popularity, rather
than the common goodof his country, and the vim
dictive and malicious, and uniounded aspersions
cast by him on the character Of Judge CHAcE,
should Of themselves have cut him off from the
patronage and suGrr ages Of the public.
In the history Of American politics, Mr.. RAM
DoLPH is a ~pre.eniuent figure, and if he has not
added TO the reputation Of our political relations,
he certainly has added much to the character of
Aicrcan Ora,ory and proven tina: our deliberative
Assemblies are not less able than those ofEurope.
Sometime in the year 1906, as we have before
mentioned, he became outrageously offended with
Mr.. JEFFERSON, becase he refused him the en-
bsssy to ST. Cloud, and from that day TO this, he has
been at war with the whole world. No system
has suited him, no distinct or particular interest has
called forth the energies of his mind, q but opposed
to all meu, and in love with none,' he ha. presented
a singular spectacle of man seeking his own ruin, |
and the pro'tration ofhis own reputation.
He was the vehement and viudictive opposer of
MADISON, and with a view of securing his in
interest, he opposed the War Bill, intro.
duced by Mr.. CALHOUN, the very man whose
cause as a candidate for the next Presidency, he |
openly and nnblushinsly advocates, notwithstand-
Ing he has declared himself hostile 20 the schemes