Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1830-09-03
HISTORICAL.
JOHN RANDOLPH.


1t is not generally known, we pre-
sumo, that John Randolph made his
hrs, entrance upon the public stage, a
gdinst the influence of the oratory of
Patrick Henry. In the spring OF 1893,
Mr.. Randolph offered himself as cam
didate to represent, the district IN which
he resided, In the next Congress, on
which occasion he had TWO competitors.
one oi whom was an ardent supporter of
the administration of John Adams, and
the other as decidedly opposed to it.
AT the same time, the pressing solici.
tations of many Of the leading Federal
lists had induced Patrick Henry 10
withdraw from his retirem ent and am
nounce himself to the freehoders OF
the county Of Charlotte as candidate
for their suiirages IN the House of Del
/, cgates III Virg,uia. mighty prepara.
! tons we're making by the Democratic
party to elect Il majority to both branch.
es OF the General Assembly, that would
change the mode Of choosing Presiden-
tial Electors throughout the State from
the District, as 1t then existed, to the
General Ticket system, with view of
giving the entire vote of the State TO
Mr., Jefferson. Mr.. Madison resigned
his seat which he held in Congress,
and became candidate for the Gene
raj Assembly, to ensure, by bis efforts
ana talents, the success olthe measure.
When the day of election arrived. Pa
trick Henry made his appearance, and
| addressed the electors in mastery
strain, in favor OF the geneia al principles
OF policy on which the Federal party
rested. He spoke about two hours, and
left an impression upon the minds OF his
hearers, 10y no means favorable TO the
success OF any political opponent I'm
der all these appalling disadvantages,
yonng man was seen to present HIM
self before the people, with the avowed
intention OF combating the arguments
OF Mr.. Henry. The person of MIR.
Randolph was little known, as he had
lived rather a solitary lite upon his es-
tate, after he had completed his cole
giale studies at Columbia College in
New York. The sIngularty ofbis car
rage, his youthful appearance and
shri'i tones, together with the power of
his eioqurnce, soon excited wonderful
enthusiasm among his audience, who
listened with the deepest silence to his
remarks. He seemed quite conscious
OF the boldness of the enterprise in
which he had embarked, and animal
veried upoa the a1dsuss at VIZ. Henry.
III style ana manner that drew the
highest commenda,ion from that high
| ly gifted orator. His speech was re-
ceived wlththe most raplurous plaudits
and II was evident to Mr.. Henry tina, a
spirit was excited which portended far
more than could have been originally
calculated. He found himself com
PEELED TO re-ascend the rost,um i'm de-
fence of the topics he had advanced,
and was again followed by Mr.. Ram
dolph i'll reply. The polls were open.
ed, aud as the election proceeded, it
was discovered that the people were
resolved, Notwithstanding party dissen-
tons, to have tie benefit Of the servi-
ces OF both these distinguished individ.
uais, in the different situations which
they coveted. Patrick Henry was
chosen to the House of Delegates, and
Johh Randolph to the U. S. House of
Representatives. MIR. Henry, howey-
er, did not live to tGke his seat in the
| Assembly, and the friends of MIR. JEFF.
ierson carried their lavorite measure IN
that body, at the ensuing session, by a
majority of S votes.-N. Y. Jour.
Cam,