Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-02-15

AreOpagus, than whlCn none Is hote ulghheu,
each Judge. if he had a monument OF this man
in his heart or his house, read einscrption upon
it. On what was he tried? notion his political creed
nv purpose beneficial to himself, sound; his works
alone were brought into question. On this ques-
ton deep and interesting debate arose. The
gentleman may have been present and heard it;
or if not, as it was published, he must have read
it. 1t belonged to Virginia, and was a part of
her great commonwealth concern: nor would l
have brougt this Wholesome example of family dis.
cipline before the nation, had not the eulogist OF
this froward son of Virginia told US. that the mon
uments of his exploits were in the hearts OF his
countrymen. Does this debate or the result OF
it, confirm the gentleman's assertion: He was
weighed; and, "mene meme tekel upharsin
was written on all his monuments. He was reject
ed, and distinguished Virginian was chosen to
represent that State in the Senate, and restore
her ancient honor and dignity in the councils OF
the nation.
l ask again, where are the monuments of this
mans glory? Has he improved his native State
in the great arts of civil life? In agriculture his
own peculiar vocation: 1t has never been said of
him. Have manufactures been fostered by his
encouragement? Sir, the very name is odious
to HIM. The sheep, the most innocent of all an
finals, and supplying by its wool the material for
perhaps our most useful manufacture-the sheep
is 50 hateful to him. that, with all the poetry OF
the golden age in his blood, this gentleman has
said 81 ,co,.id GO t,eenty rods out Of my Uay
TO kick q sheep" Commerce has been as little
encouraged by him as either of her sister arts in
our family of national industry. He is one OF
class of men, now grown quite small in our coun-
try, who despise traffic and traders; and would
L l.. ~ 4 {ho IL,
merchant and founder of Florence, as no better
than TIN pedlar. He is literary, moral, l trust
pious; but what has he done to advance learning,
morality, or religion? In this House, where he
so long had seat, where are the fruits of his
sage councils; the laws originated or sustained
by his eloquence; and which will carry his name
to postlerity as patriot statesman? When the
gentleman shall point to these monuments, and
shew them to belong to Mr.. Randolph, he may
realize fame somewhat less fugitive and perish
able than mere words.
The gentleman from Virginia, MIR. Barbour)
would carry my opposition to this salary to mere
political account; and ssay | am opposed to it
because Mr.. Randolp pin overthrow the fabric OF
federal power. Be it so; let the man enjoy the
entire fame of all the benefit, and all the mis-
chief he has done. | had no share in that power
Nhich every citizen did not equally enjoy. 1t
gave me no honor, no emolument do not be-
lieve. and think thousands who aided in its
overthrow. do not now believe, that any struc-
tu-e since that time erected its ruins, has gi-
ven holier Sanctuary to the Constitution, or a
more secure shelter to the rights and liberties Of
the people. If this giant partizan did overthrow
that fabric, he could not bury under its ruins the
great principles of the revolution, &" Union and
Independence" the songs of my cradle, the po-
itical creed of every hour of my life; and not
sooner.to be forgotten than the sainted bosom
which nourished my infancy.
What did this man build, what could he build
in its place? Sir, when day light first dawned on
the world after this event, John Randolph sat,
in the gimpses of the morning, like the genius of
the earthquake, amidst the ruins of some spen-
did city, without the power, or the will to move
a single stone to rear a new edi6ce. Nay, sir,
when the statesmen of those times forgetting the
storm of party, set themselves in earnest to re-
building, this man of monuments resisted their
labors. Little does the &c ntleman know me, if
he believes feel anger at the labors. or envy
at the fame, of the man whom he has euogiZed.
He will be remembered, when much better Vir-
ginians, and perhaps the gentleman himself may
be forgotten; but he will be remembered as the
years of m,ldew and BLIGHT and famine are re-
membered, when those of plenty and prosperity
are forgotten. He may live in story; but not,
like Washington, sin The hearts Of his country
men,
should have said no more of the Secretary of
Legation. had not the gentleman transmitted his
confirmation by the Senate into the Roman cere-
mouial of Questioning the Toga ViriIlis, This toga,
this gown. was, in the open forum, given annual,
ly by all the Romans to all their boys, who had,
during the wear, arrived to the age of seventeen
years. BY this classical allusion, presume the
gentleman intends to assure US, that Mr. Ran
dolph's Secretary of Legation has fully arrived
at that interesting period of his life. ! had as
serted he was twenty -one, but willingly admit
the gentleman's correction.
The other gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Coke
has reinforced his colleague. Will these gentle
men never have done with misstating me? Have
reproached Virginia? Never. sir, never. When
speaking of any one of her citizens here, have
spoken of him as an American citizen. When
speaking of that State, have, on this floor, and
elsewhere, spoken of her as one which poured
her whole Spartan soul into the Revolution, which
sent to the field of conflict band of patriot
riorC Ssuho haya LODI tho World with tbair and