New-York daily tribune., 1843-07-25
John Randolph of Roanoke.
Correspondence OF The Tribune.
W,sgIS6roS. July Il Is


washington July l., lS,3
If Randolph was not lunatic from very
early period to the close of his public career, his
mind vas more remarkable for its obliquity and
inconsistency than his body for its singular ei
feminacy and unnatu7aness.
As politician, no party could rely on his idcl-
ity for a moment. By profession Democrat,
but in all his habits OF life most unmitigated
aristocrat. 1t was only in his moments Of con-
vivial indulgence, that he allowed anv one to ap-
proach him famllarly His principles were
generally as capfcious and doubtful. as his enmi-
ties were bitter and abiding. he often DETAINED
the best men of the country while he lavlshed
his praise upon those who had no claims TO pub
lie or private regard. He hardly attempted to
conceal his dislike of President Washington and
his opposition to the elder Adams and to Ieffer-
son was equally lasting and violent. He quar-
relied with Madison and sneered at Monroe. He
rallied like very Drab at John q. Adams, and
assaulted his administration with the utmost
venom Of his tongue. Indeed, so deep was his
hatred of Mr.. Adams and Mr.. Clay, that he
gave his earnest support to Gen. jackson in lo2S
whom he had a few years before denounced as
unfit for civil rule. BY the bye, it is well known
that in an address to the people of Charlotte, IN
1922 he secuted the idea of the possibility Of the
election of Gen. Jackson TO the Presidency. He
protested the people of the new States were not
vet 50 lost 10 all sense Of national security, or so
utterly corrupt. as TO choose man OF mere mill
tarv talents and habits for their Chief Executive
Officer, rather than the Civilian Crawford, or any
other distinguished citizen of similar character
At that time he did not dsapprovc of Mr.. Clay,
but thought it was too early to cross the noun
tains for a president. He at the same time ac-
knowlcdged his great public services, and his
eminent fitness for the exalted station.
Four years aiterward, IN speech on the Judi
ciary bill delivered III the Senate of the u. States
he proclaimed his intention to vote for Andrew
Jackson at the ensuing election, ich0erer else
migM be nomiaated"-ior said he, he is the
first military man in the country. What CON-
mcntary upon his speech pronounced against
Gen Wkson in the House of Representatives,
in 1903, in which he expressed his adherence of
military men for civil stations and adverted to
numerous examples in ancient and modern his
torv Of the fall of empires, and the revolution OF
states, and the consequent misery of mankind,
lllC VI
men, Although he would not withhold from
them Just reward and honor, yet he observed,
..we cannot be too watchlul of the aspiring am
bition of military commander"
In December, 1911, in his speech on the in
crease of the army, he deplored the consequences
of war with Great Britain, and said that as
Burke and Chatham and host of English pat
riots prayed for their defeat in ITS, so would
some of the truest friends Of our country depre-
cate the triumph of OUR ARMS against the only
power that holds in check the arch enemy OF man.
kind.
On many occasions in 1912, he denounced
the War, and dwet with much eIoquenSe upon
the danger of Standing Army in Republic,
which he said would inevitably lead to military
despotisln. In speaking the prospect OF
war with England, in May, 1912, he declared,
' this event has not happened and God forbid
that it should but if it does, the conclusion will
be irresistible, and this Government vii! stand
branded to the latest posterty, (unless the Press
shall perish in the general wreck of human llber-
tv.) as the panders Of French desp0tism-as the
tooLs, the minions, sycophants and parasites Of
France 80 These sentiments were often re-
peated by him to his constituents In letters and
addresses, and yet he was rarely rebuked by
them, for they considered his tongue I" a char
tered libcrtine.'
He always professed the most profound con-
tempt for Office, and protested thaton no occasion
would he accept Of one, to dance attendance upon
great men at home or abroad. However He first
oBice was seized by him with avldlty, and he IN
VAN attempted to explain the motive Of his &C
ccplance of the Mission to Russia. He remark
ed, he did not 90 abroad to attend to the pagean-
try of foreign courts, or to make his bows to
titled dignitaries for not having been schooed
at home in these matters, he would certainly be
voted into the amkpard squad, and sent back to
drill. He did not 90 resident minister, but
on a special mission and whether successful or
not he should soon return home. He did not 60
to pocket the pary outfit; he never had consent
ed and never would consent to take the peoples
money, without rendering an equivalent for 1t
He nevertheless pockcted the outfit, salary and
init for which equiralent Mr.. Van Buren and
his friends are fully advised.
The reader might well i4qIirc, after pcrusal
of the above sketch, whether there were any re-
,lecming traits in the character of Mr.. Randolph;
whether there was no beam Of light to relieve the
shadows of the picture. 1t is said, be was at all
times kind master, good nelghbor, and, to
many Of his relations, a most generous and aztec
tionatc friend
In my next l will furnish you anecdotes Illus
tratve of some of the bright spots OF his escutch-
aon Yours. sc. ALPHA.
THE FIELD OF SARAToGA-Within few days
past several valuable coins have been found IN
nlouphed field on the old battle ground of Sarato
"a. Among them was gold FIVE pound piece
of the reien Of William and Mary, and In one