Delaware journal., 1828-03-18
THE ROANOKE ORATOR.
From the New York american
From OUR CoRREsPoNDENT
Hashmgton, Friday euening, March 7th

I had been reading Ben Johnson, in the Library
of Congress, this afternoon--having fled from the
pressing of Mr.. Gmer, on Internal Improvement
and was venturing back through the Rotunda,
when general rush Of the loungers, to the door OF
the Representatives. Hall. intimated that something
uncommon was going on. On reaching tn gallery,
heard the shrill notes of John Randolph's voice,
and Immediately sought spot where l could see as
we'll as hear him.
When first obtained sight Of him, he was wip-
ing his eyes with yellow silk handkerchief and d
rectng his discourse, not to the Speaker, but MIR.
Rves. who as we'll as l could perceive, was she'd
ding tears also. A huddle Of Randolph's admirers
we're standing in the alley, near him, and the pro-
minent feature in it was Geo. Kremer. with his hat
souched over his eyes, both his hands in his breech
es pockets, alternately splitting tobacco, with
large quid of which his month seemed furnished, and
nodding appreciation.
l had not through the whole speech the slightest
idea of the subject under consideration but suppos-
ed another bill had come up-for during hour that
Randolph continued speaking after entered the
House. he did not once utter the words "internal
improvement''-s' surveys."-or deliver one SEN
tence that gave the slightest hint that the same bill
was still under discussion. You can fancy my sur
prise, after hearing him descant upon every thing
animate and inanimate, in the heavens above, the
earth beneath, or the waters under the earth with
the single exception of internal improvement, at be-
ing told that it was the very matter on which he
had been speaking, and that MIR. Oakley's amend
ment was still pending. am told that he had set
out with some remarks about precedents-shorty
after declared that he should not live lOns-elt
he was going fast-abused the judiciary of Virginia
-vllliied the characters of her judges in most
shameless manner-wept precious tears over the de
generacy OF the Old Dominion ;-and conjured Mr.
Rives to take of her when he was gone. This
is exactly the flying sketch given me by gentle
in the gallery, Of the Of his talk previous
to my entering the House.
AS 10 what he said after did come init was
such compound of all manner of things, that it
was impossible to keep sight of the thread by which
they were tackled together. will give you some
toe topics, as they come up in my mind
| tie complained bitterly of the ISLANDERS to which
he had been subected-it took one whole year to
live down the lies Of the preceding one. 1t was re-.
cessary in republic, to revert to first principles
Our children ought to be brought up in indepeIl-
dence--not educated at a military academy-they Y
should be taught to stand on their own feet. He
would not barter his right to express himself in thar
hall. for all the kingdoms Of the earth. Not the
crown OF France. nor that OF Engand--nor the Pre-
sldency OF the United States--he pitied the man
who filled the station. Washington and Jefferson
were the only men who filled the Office with houor
Not one but they and the nent incumbent would bt
great in future history. He then broke off in pa
negyrcion independence, and gave the four first line
OF Smoet's ode:
Thy genius, Independence, let me share!
u Lord OF the lion heart, and eagle eve
Thy steps, I'll follow, with my bosom bare;
Hor heed the storm that hows along the sky!
. His next dash was at Horace--he recited ten 0
= twelve lines from one of his odes, transatng ther
q q as he went along, in which he speaks of the wal
like reign OF Romulus, of the peaceful reign OF NJ
ma the cruelty of Scav8, and expresses dout
i whether Cato's glory does not eclipse them al
. Romulus and Numa he compared to Washngto
and Jefferson, but went no further. jackson myl
have afforded parallel for the cruelty of any RI
v man butcher of them all J He then touched upu
u Virginia again--spoke of great changes in the sta
70 OF soclety-of the responsibility of people who a
le been IN the Penitentiary-treated largely of Do
It peOpe--he loved the poor, even to the Irish wi
'e break stones about London. He repelled the sla
OF der which had been published, that he was rich
y went into minute history of his private affair.
Al his estate was mortgaged when he arrived at m
er JorIty,-he had no management-his estate was m
nj naged for him by man that had been malion,
cd more than any excepting Mr.. Jefferson. file d
.; not give his name. He had secured his own ind
VI pendence by great rugality. Last year he did n
keep horse because he could not afford it-he we
ID on ioot-out of debt out of danger, r,--there was
safety while the nation was in debt it was dific
ls to be the historian of events in which one took
io share-alluded to Herodotus, Thucidides, and Xs
a ophon-a long harangue upon the life. adventure
OF and merits of Herodotus, and touch at Rom
history lie then very abruptly said he was dor
Ct, ne had no more thought of speaking when he ca
OF into the House than he thought Of going to heav
'ro- The business of the House was too harrassing
val, man to bears few days ago the Appropriat
led Bill was postponed to take up the Tariff, and tot
ties the Tariff was postponed to take up another.
incl d'sodsed the human faculties to handy them alb