Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-03-15
PROVIDENCE.
JOHN RANDOLPH OF ROANOKE.

though, we are politically opposed TO him, wc
mus, abide by the old and golden rule" give
the Devil his due"-and speak candidy of the |
man.
As an orator, he has but few equals in the |
world, though his manner, is not so rnpassion-
ed and vehement as that which distinguishes
Mr.. Clay, and, though his language does not
low with Cha, rich llxuriance. which has gained |
deserved celebrity for the Secretary of State,
Mr. Randolph's forte, lies in his cutting sar-
casm, and unexpected mode of attack; but, |
unlike Mr.. Clay. the moment he has ceased
speaking, what he has altered is forgotten, or
if indeed it bo remembered. is remembered on
ly to be repeated at the social Gre-sde, UT at
the convivial board When he rises to address
the House. there is a general hustle observa-
BILE, ard each and every member Of that body
strives to obtain a a conspicuous seat, that he
! may be the better enabled 10 hear every word
that is uttered by the gentleman from Roam
ore. His speeches, are generally exceedingly
| dscursve, and enactic, but yet are always in
| the main. pertinent and forcible, and would
not be without their effect, if the author ofthem
were not misanthrope, habtua, and confirm
| ed. Az learned man, Mr.. Randolph in our
| opinion, has not a superior on the continent
| in saying this set the opinions Of Robert
Walsh at defance-a there is scarcely a
| language, or n science with which he is not
acquainted Although he takes no pains to
make display of his atta;nments, they are
observable throughout his productions, and in
! terwoven with whatever he utters He
quotes from almost every author, whether
English. French, Spanish, Latin, Greek or
Hebrew; and what is most femarkable, all
his quotations are happily applied, and are so
agreeaby introduced by tie speaker, that
they bear none Of the marks Of The pc
dant. They are always properly made use
of, and calculated 10 SUIT the occasion and the
subject; and it may be farther said of Mr..
fandolph, that unlike most Of the spouters of
Congress Hall, his quotations not lugecd in
"hond over heeIs," for the vain purpose of in
forming the world, that the speaker has a
smattering knowledge ofthe Latin, or some 9TH
er foreign language. Although we condemn
Mr.. Randolph's political course, we admire his
genius, honour his learning, and canno, but
lament, that both are not moro properly ap-
Piled than they are at the present moment.
There are a thousand anecdotes told Of the
gentleman from Roanoke; some Of them are
true, others a-e probably false; for it IS not
probable that Mr.. Randolph has been so much
more fortunate than all the world beside as to
esca pc the breath Of scandal and conumcly
The following, however, is authentic, and is
so good, and so completely in keeping with
Mr.. Randoph's temperament, that we cannot
refrain from copying it,
| "some years since, Mr.. Randolph fanced
| his hold on life was about 10 terminate, and
recoecting he had assailed the character, and
impea ched the integrity Of Mr.. Pickering, he
dispatched Il messenger for him to repair to
Georgetown without delay. to the death bed
of a political opponent, who wished to make
| an acknow owedgemeni, while standing Oh the
boundary lir, which separates time from oter.
nifty, for tho injury he had done 10 him. Mr.
Pickering, arsious 10 re ceive the acknow led &C.
men', and to alleviate the sulferings of fell
low mortal in tho last stage Of his existence
lost no time IN rep airing to the bed of sick
ness, and as ne supposed of death. He grasp
ed with eagerness that haad which had often
been raised against him and with tears be-
moaned the expiring pG:sation Of that heart
that had meddated the ruin of his character
Tho scene affecting, and silence for some
time was only broken by sobs and sighs.
"At length Mr.. Randolph, with a voice
| tro,,hIinu lie hraa IA. nj naI tho
Of sending for Mr.. Pickering lie said he
had on Il particular occasion,. impeached his
inie gritty on tho floor Of the House of Repre-
sentatives. and that he could not die in peace,
without asking forgiveness, and make the
only amends in his power-an assurance, that
he was satisfied Of the purity of the thara ctcr
he had aspe5sed. Mr. Pickering most freely
and chcerfhiy folgavc hun, and ascribsd tho
charge TO the heat of party spirit, which he
deprecated, and to the imperlections Of our
nature, but fully exonerated him from all i'm
, pure motives, and in return, admitted that he
, might, by his own zoal in advocating and
maint aiming measures, which he censtdered for
the interest Of the nation to adopt, have COM
mitted come indiscretions, which had conduc-
cd TO tho charges Mr.. Randolph had made,
and il so, ho desired to receive the forgiveness
of his (now) expiring friend. Mr.. Randolph,
; however, took all tho blame to himself, and
bore testimony to the spoiless character Of Mr.
Pickering. Tho reconciliation having taken
place, and Mr.. Pickering not being willing To
OCCUPY, for one moment, the timo Of a dying
man unne ecossarily, gave him a final and last
adiep, accompanied with prayer for his hap
pipess beyond this world Of vanity and strife.
Unable TO see this old acquaintance, whom In
had encountered in many a political combat,
but whose bensdicions he had so recently ic-