The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-02-07
JOHN RANDOLPH, OF ROANOKE.


JOHN RANDOLPH, OF ROANOKE.
The annex extract from the biogra phioaI sketch
OF Mr., Randolph, by Lemuel Sawyer, is probably,
IN the main, FAIR portrait Of the orator Of Roa-
poke
description OF MIR. Randolph's character Thishas
been, IN Partial manner, developed, as We have
proceeded BY degrees to unfold his political aud pri-
vate Me- so That The reader may already form loe
raoe estimate OF his professions in the two old rea
tion "a which he has been presented. Take him all
IN all he Was man whose like may never see
again Tie was s,u geas,is, and, such, IT is next
10 impossible for the bographer 10 classify fix his
proper rank in the scale of human destiny 1t di
ncult 10 Ind parallel (thc usual recourse Of PIu-
tarch and his successors) 10 draw a comparison be-
tween him and any known parsonage in ancient or
modern times, as more familiar aud invariabe
standard from which to infer their respective merits
and thus form correct and impartial decision
From what Is known and admitted by apos,tion or
Contrast we might be enabled BY induction to learn
what was before unknown. He was elevated so high
above his contemporaries by the greatness aud orgaa-
hiy OF his genius like winged Mercury new lighted
on heaven-kissing hill as well as from his strong
ar'slocrac prejudces, bis pride and selfish qualities
mat we are not permitted to approach near enough
to catch he delicate linesments OF his physognomy.
Az an orator, he was more splendid than solid
as politician, he wanted the profound vie VS. of
great statesman, and larger stock Of pat ence gen
tleness and piiabity, to lead and guide party sue
cessiuly In its struggle for power while he was too
in,oerant and indoclle 10 be led by one or to go
through the dr'llings and discipline required reg
ular IN the ranks lie was incapable Of the confne-
ment, the application, and the drudgery of Office
dis genius, TO of his ayorile figures (Which
Is not original, but borrowed from Swili) might be
compared to 6ne-edged knife. used for the common
purpose oil scvering paper that is apt to slip ,urn
aside from the right line, and endanger the hand Of
the operator. while man Of more moderate abilities
but OF business habits who might be kened TO ivory
folder will go through the task smoothly
though Of dullcr edge more henely material =
lie wanted consistency of political conduct US well as
uniform and acknowledged code Of principles, and
no party could, during the short period of his for,ui
tous Junction, calculate upon any two successive
votes, when the emergency arose that required them
He was possessed of fine taste for literature ge-
neral reader, ripe Scholar" particularly 10 The
apartment of Bellies Lettres-by which acquire
nients he was well supplied with apt illustrations TO
emoelish and enrich his oraory. He levied his con-
trbutions from the wide dominions of anc lent and
modern literature, with the undispued authority Of
. C qieror, which he stored away in his capacious
msmory a. an nexhaustible magazine, to distribute
"th Jndn 'us discrimination upon every subject that
arose N bate Although, in the course Of his long
pot cal career If more than thirty years, he spoke
volumes, and me of his speeches towards the close
oil 1t ware ra,h verbose and irrelevant yet he ne
yer failed dur'rg some pa ofthem to and as
tonish his aud fence by some classical ausions hap
Py sim,es, "some III )ughs that brca,hed and words
that burned" some beautiful and striking NETS phor
and most meiiih ,ou' and harmonious periods. Even
now, in aiding tos speeches. {although $, much is
lost IN their dehvery,) while m y have pene-
trac through heap OF chat (f any thing Of his NAV
be so abused in terms) ia reaching the kernel or
grain, we are abnndaniy rewarded the richness If
not in the abundance of the product lie IS listen
ed to with undivid d atteotion-ard although the
mind might not be chained and carrie. captive
in the triumphant march Of gig lnlc intellect
by the depths Of research and the force Of reason
ing, yet was 1t fascinated, won md unresisng-
ly carried along as by spell by the ease the grace
the duency and the pleasing emphatic delivery of the
speaker. HIS saiises Of w.t. his biting sarcasm, bis
happy ret ITS, and home thrusts-bis satric turn or
hls playful humor--rende ed him a more agreeable
and popular speaker than others who were more SC
and elaborate. IL ridicuie be the ties, of truth
be had most efectuai way of drawing her into The
light of all the orators of his day He possessed the
rare art OF trying the and the opinions of
the prominent men TO whom il was his destiny 10 be
regularly oppos' d, 10y that touchs one and by il TO
hold them up TO the derisi censure oftbe people.
With tbis powerful lever he could shake, il not move
from its foundations, any Administration. That II
contributed ia small degree subvert tina, Of the
sec nd Adams, no man doubts who witnessed his G.
peated and dexerous attacks and observe the ecc Is
OF his peculiar mode Of warfare. The public were
bot grathed spectators Of these exhibitions Of this
successful combatsnt upon the political arena, while
the Senate chamber was become national anphi-
theatre from which TO enjoy them from that weak
ness not 10 call IL dcprav,ty of human nature that
derives innate pleasure al the sight Of suffering or
misfortune ia others, while itself remains secure from
harm danger He delighted in opposon-it wa.
his element, Tvs pabu!um Of po caI existence. lie
could Nth the current pre- ferred to buffet
AID to breast IT manlu'ly and unycldngly "The ele-
ments were 80 mixed IN him, that il is difficult for
vny one TO hold hin, up the world and say, "lhls
was man." and challenge its confirmation He
was not much respected as a politician nor beloved
man. HIS friends frard him too much 10 love
HIM for, although these two passions may be blend
ed IN the same breast as regards infinite being
iss most difficult tax TO unite them Offering
the altar Of Ptivst. friendship
The tenure Of his Fri bdshp's assurance was too
frail 10 render II sincere ardent. The many sud
traps:tions on has part from avowed friendship to
Ito oppos e, upon trivial and unsatisfactory grounds.
rendered the enlistment Of new recruits in brs ranks
too discour gins 10 keep them supplied and thus be
wa left In the sad pr'dicament Of dying almost
friendIess. lie appeared TO be too far removed be-
yopd the common sphere OF human attraction (wbe
he revolved IN IN ,st eccentric one TO receive the
genial warmth OF friendship, and too frigij and
pu.Iv. 10 communicate II IN turn. Yet, in listening
TO his conversation in peu.ing his letters, you find
he employs all the terms and ,xprcssi conseorstod
10 the service Of that holy passion To his young
lsti,es, me OF whom be had educated he breathed
At times the warmesi professions Of aiecon AMI,
for short periods, during the innocence aud unsus-
pecu gu leessness OF their boy hood, they received
more substantial proofs Of IT, He lefi them nothing
out OF his immense fortune but preferred to dispose
OF caPrciously 10 others, or To the supererogato-
ry foundation OF college. We may be asked,
were there no virtues, 10 redeeming qualities
in the character Of MIR. Randolph, as coun-
,erbalapce to this long array Of antagonist
ones' It were hardly credible that there were no,
We are forced TO admit some of Negative kind -
His charity, which, from his means and his Leading
life OF single blessedness, he could have well and
sbundanty dispensed, went beyond the provcrb, by
not only beginning at home, but ending there. His
appetite Cor money, IN all similar cases. increased
with The food II fed on, till II grew Unsuitable. How
els account for his acceptance Of the Russian