The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-08-25
AN ADDRESS
Delivered before The t,Do Literary Societies Of
RANDOLPH-MACON COLLEGE,
JUNE 10, 1888.
BY HON. JOHN TYLER.

BY HON. JOHN TYLER.
Gentlemen of the Franklin and Washington
Literary Societies:
am here this day in compliance with re-
quest from the Franklin Literary Society, that
would deliver an address before your two Socie-
ties. That request having been urged upon me
for the second time since this College has gone
into successful operation, seemed to deny to me
the liberty of opposing my personal convenience
to your wishes. | felt myself highly honored by
your repeated call and resolved, if possible, to
meet il. Ii is no small matter Of seli-congratu-
laton that | have been able, so to master my
time, as to be with you on this interesting occa-
sion. have felt, from the first, deep interest
in the prosperity of Randolph Macon. have
learned, with pleasure, the rapid strides she was
making to extensive usefulness and the spec
tacle which she on tins day exhibits, is honora-
BILE to her founders, and indicative of the eleva-
ted rank which she occupies among the Col
leges of Virginia She bears name which is
well calculated to recommend her to our affec-
tons; or, more properly to speak, she unites
two names in one and blazens them forth upon
her escutcheon. Those names are identified
with high intellect and devoted patriotism. II
was my good fortune 10 be personally acquitted
with both the distinguished citizens who have
been selected as the tutelar saints of this Insti-
tuition. To the first was given genius splen-
did and brilliant above that of his fellow men,
have often felt the warmth of its rays, and
been spell bound under its influence. When
ever John Randolph rose to address either the
assembled multitude, or the legislative body, all
eyes were eagerly bent upon him, and all ears
were open to catch every word and every sylla-
bic that fell from his lips. Few men ever lived
who had so perfect command OF language.
Every word used by him was precisely the very
word, best suited, Of all others, to express what
he intended. His mind was the capacious re-
servoir of knowledge, and when ii poured forth
its treasures, an intellectual repast was furnish
ed to his auditory, rich and luxurious. The
stream of his eloquence flowed on so clearly and
smoothly, that through its shining mirror, you
beheld in the depths below pearls and gems of
inestmable value. In speaking, he could not be
regarded as :. copious and Ciceronian," but every
word sparkled and every sentence burned. IL
is true, that in much he was eccentric; it could
not well be otherwise, for his mind was never at
rest New specuations and new theories were
continually crowdipg about him, and in chasing
them over the fields Of space, no wonder that
he should some times have departed from his
orbit. On one subject, in particular, he was re-
markaby uniform, and from the early dawn Of
manhood TO the close Of his life, CONSISTENT
He properly regarded our central government as
a tederatve system, the result Of the voluntary
adoption of the several states. He saw that
liberty could only be secured by preserving a
due balance between the General and State
Governments. He believed also that the ten
dencv of the system was to consolidation, and
every advance in that direction he opposed I'M
compromsingly. Neither honors conferred, or
honors expected could win him from his ale
glance to his principles. The last act of pub
lie nature which he openly advocated, bears tes
tmony to this, and exhibits his character in an
attractive lights
OF Nathaniel Macon, cannot well speak too
highly There was beautiful consistency in
his course from the moment of his entering pub
lie life, to the moment of his quitting it. No
thing sordid ever entered into his imagination.
He was the devoted patriot, whose whole heart,
and every corner of it, was filled with love OF
country. He was moralist, who set forth his
precepts, not in ponderous volumes, but in his
daily actions Not remarkable for the brilliancy
Of his intellect, he was most distinguished by
the solidity of his Judgment. Called by the
State of North Carolina TO high political station,
he presented in his person and conduct a true
type of the State and people he represented;
nothing gaudy, nothing glazing no fret work or
curiously wrought Mosaic hut all about the build
ing betokened strength and enduring strength.
Haunted in his person the meekness and hui
mility of the Christian, with the calm and unpre
tending dignity of the philosopher. In the
House of Representatives, he was the firm and
unfinching Republican, and in the Senate
Chamber, the venerable Patiarch-the co-tem-
porary, in fact, of Washington and Franklin,
and most worthy TO have lived in the same cen
tury with them. He had no regard for those
forms and ceremonies which constitute the pa
geantry Of what is called high life. They APP
peared to him an unreal mockery, mere show
of friendship the shadow of social intercourse;
and the plain republican who had been reared
amid the realities of the revolution, desplsed
them heartily. And yet doubt whether there
ever lived man who possessed or practlced
more of the genuine Inequalities of life or
whose heart was more entirely filed with the
Christian charities, or Christian virtues.
Such were the two men whose names have
been adopted by this College, and are united in
to one. There was wisdom displayed IN the
adoption. You, and all who have preceded, and
all who may come after you as Alumni OF this
Institution, are thus constantly reminded OF the
fame aud glory which attend, invariably, on IN
tellect highly cultivated, and on the unceasing
practice of virtue. A model of almost absolute
perfection, if properly blended and successfully
initiated, is presented. Wit, genius and fancy,
are placed in close connection with judgment
so inhexibe and so erect as rarely ever TO have
been shaken. The first adorns and beauties,
The resolutions offered to the people Of Charlotte
Disappearing the doctrines of Gen. Jacksons celebra