Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-07-07

The Norfolk Beacon of July /, furnishes
sketch Of Mr.. Randolph's speech at the dinner
given him on Saturday last, which we republish
for the satisfaction of the curious.
Mir. RANDOLPH rose and made his acknowl-
edgemens for the honor which had been done
him. He said. that some or years ago. in
different part of the world, on an occasion not
dissnlar to the present, he had, on being toast
ed, ex pressed his opinion of the practice of CIV
ng toasts and receiving compliments. at pub
lie dinners, as being one unusual in his own
country, and more honorcd in the breach than in
the observance. in as much as it furnished too
great encourage ent to speak of that vile thing
self He had said this. by way of apology for
the very awkward figure which he then cut, and
which, Mr. Mayor. said he, doubtless do now.
But that it was not without its uses, for it some
times served to elicit from wary, shy and skittish
politicians, sentiments which they might other
wise have kept conceaIed.-Ie said, that no
man would believe that this last consideration
could be applicable to him; for that his princi-
pies, thank God, had never been hidden. But
that on an occasion like the present, when he
was about to leave his native country, perhaps
forever. and when an opportunity was for the
first time offered TO him of publicly explaining
his motives. he felt it due 10 his constituents, and
To himself. to say, that he had served them more
than thirty years, and that surprising they would
never require his services again. as the sagaCltV
of no man could have loreseen the adoption Of an
amended ConStitution-he had accepted office,
- unexpected as il was unsolicited under the
present administration. lie had done tnis (aud
he seized upon this occasion to declare II. from
the conviction that in So doing he would give
support to he administration of man who had
his entire confidence. and IN whose honesty, in
trepidity, and moral courage he had the utmost
reliance. lie would not conceal that there were
some things which he might have wished other
wise, and where was the administration of which
this mi .ht not be said? But, he asked, were we
boardng-sc school misses, looking up to some bean-
ideal OF perfection, or were we men; regarding
things as they are.-No, he said, we were men,
and ne at the head of affairs was but man and
fallible like ourselves; but man whose iaiiings
lean to virtues side. He said, moreover there
was no alternative between the support Of the
present administration and the restoration Of the
Bourbons and the the expelled dynas-
~; and that it made no difference whether he
took pound from this scale or added a
pound TO that. Charles Fox had truly said that
the worst of all possible governments was Reo-
tcratiOn: and he hoped our future experience
That it was left for us to choose whom we would
serve" But he said 'scheose We whom We
may. and my house will serve the Lord"
Mr.. r. said, that, believing his Constituents
had no further service for him. he had come for
ward. at the call of his country; that he did not
90 abroad to attend FOREIGN levees, or to make
his bows to titled dignl,aries; for that never
having practiscd at home. he would be voted in
to the aW kward squad, and sent back to drill; that
he did not 20 out as resident Minister,-he went
upon Il special mission. and that reintfcfn AIT
facta:-wherher his purpose was obtained or de-
feated. home he returned:-he did not 90 to pock
ct the paltry ouifit-he never bad, and never
would consent. to take the peoples money With
out rendering an equivalent forit.
Mr.. r. alluded TO the formation of the Federal
Constitution. and said. that he recolIected when
under the old confederation, embarking from this
port, he had been compelled to pay duty as an
alien OH his arrival at New York. He saw the
present Constitution of the United States when
1t came forth from its chrysalis state. ''and
Sir" said he, '.nO man saw--yes one man did
see--two men saw-Patrick Henry and George
Mason--the secret sting which lurked beneath
the gaudy pinions of the Butterfly" He saw
Washington when he landed at Whitehall-He
saw a procession of both houses Of Congress
drawn up TO receive him. at place now called
Coffee House sllp-He saw him when he deliver
ed his inaugural address--he did not hear him.
for that was impossible--he heard and recollect-
ed perfectly well his first message to Congress
He remained III n. Y. during al! the sessions of
Congress. But, said he. did not 60 to eyee; and
that he never had in his whole life attended one,
either under the administration of George Wash
ington, or John Adams, or Thomas Jefferson. or
James Madison. or James Monroe. or John Q.
Adams, or Andrew Jackson; land 50 help me
Cod he added, with earnestness, Il never
will"
Mr.. r. alluded to the reign of terror No. 1.
but We do not distinctly recollect the context.
we have given of course but an imperfect sketch
of the outlines of Mr. RS address, and We are
sensible that in many instances even the connec-
ton OF his speech may not have been preserved. /!