Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1851-12-10

ca bn would often turn to Tom Harvey
= larre, bold-lookiug man-aui with tue
most sarcastic look would call him BY some
name Of contempt; ''this Buttsrwood Tom
Harvey" this acouid-bc-coastable, Dc.
Bv such expressions, his contempt Tor the
,,,,r was communicated to the hearers.
own felt it gaining on me, IN spite OF
Inv better Judgment; so that, before h'
was done, the impression was strong on lay
mind tlat Butterwood Harvey was unde-
serving of the smallest credit ms I'm
preston, however, fund l could coun-
tsract the moment | had time for reiiec-
ton. The only part of the speech In
which he manifested his power OF touching
the feelings strongly, WAS where he dwe!t
on the irruption of the company INTO
Ford's house, i'll circumstances SO perIIous
to the solitary wife. This appeal to the
ssusibility of husbands-and he knew that
sll the Jury stood in this rela'lon-was
overwhelming If the verdict could have
been rendered Immediately after this burst
of the pathetic, every one, or at least every
husband in the house, would have been for
rejecting Harvey's testimony, If not for
hanging him forthwith. 1t was fortunate
that the Illusion of such eloquence Is
transient, and is soon dissipated by the
exercise Of sober resslon. | confess, how
ever, that nothing which l then heard so
convinced me Of the advocates power, as
the speech of five minutes, which he made
when he requested that the trial might be
postponed till the next day
In addition to this it so happened that
heard the last speech which Mr.. Henry
ever made. twas delivered at Charlotte,
from the portico Of the Courthouse, to
an assembly in the open air. In the Amer
lean edition of the New Edinburg Ency-
clopedia, an account Of this speech and Its
effects is given, so charged with exaggera-
tion as to be grossly incorrect. There Is
more truth in the statements contained IN
Mr.. Wirt's memoir. In point Of fact, the
performance had little impression beyond
, the transient pleasure afforded to the
, friends of the Administration, and the pain
, inflicted on the Anti Federalists, his former
political friends. Mr.. Henry came to the
place with difficulty, and was plainly des
titute of his wonted vigor and commanding
, power. The speech was nevertheless
T noble effort, such as would have proceeded
| from none but a patriotic heart. In the
course of his remarks, Mr. Henry, Gas i.
y correctly stated by Mr.. Writ after speak
r ing of Washington at the head Of
g numerous and well-appointed army, e1
, claimed, "And where is the American
a who will dare to lift his hand against th'
father of his country, to point weapon a
Y the breast Of the man who had so oftel
led them to battle and to victory" al
: intoxicated man cried, 81 could" ono,
, answered Mr.. Henry, rising aloft in all hi
;, majesty, and in voice most solemn anc
t penetrating, "No; you burst not do 1t
;, in such a parricidal attempt, the stee
$ would drop from your nerveless arm.
D Mr. Henry was followed by speaker
: afterwards noted in our national history
$ mean John Randolph, of Roanoke bu
o the aged orator did not remain to witnes
L the debut of his young opponent. Randolph
i began by saying that he had admired tina
e man more than any on which the sun eve
o shone, but that now he was constrained t
D differ from him toto celo. But Randolph
+ was suffering with the hoarseness OF
: cold, and could scarcely utter an audible
t sentence. All that is alleged in the En-
n cyclopedia, about Henry's returning t.
r the platform and replying with extraordi
i nary effect, is pure fabrication. The fac
n is as above stated Henry retired to hi
d house, as if unwilling to listen, and re
IS qucsted friend to report to him anything
which might require an answer. But h
IS made no reply, nor did he again presen
1 himself to the people. l was amidst tn
e crowd, standing near to Greed Taylor, ,the1
It an eminent lawyer, and afterwards
, Judge who made remarks to those aroun
d him, during the speech, declaring anon
e other things that the old man was in hi
dotage. 1t is much to be regretted that
# statement so untrue should be perpetuate'
!, in work of such value and celebrity.
}, Patrick Henry had several sisters, wit
:. one of whom, the wife of Col. Meredith
n of New Glasgow, l was acquainted. Mrs
IA Meredith was not only q woman OF un
It feigned piety, but was in my Judgment a
n eloquent as her brother nor have eve
e met with a lady who equalled her in po"
e ers of conversation.
D. At an early period Of my ministry
,e became my duty to preach the funer'
NJ sermon of Mr.. James Hunt, the father G
NJ the late Rev. James Hunt, Of Montgomer'
j