Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-11-07
JOHN RANDOLPH.

JV1AN 4s0N0SA1
Among the innumerab!e anecdotes of
John Randolph the following is not the
worst 20: ...'.-.- t. ~-. ----. .-.
A young aspirant for Congressional
fame saw fit in his maiden speech to give
proof of his boldness and eloquence by a
long and abusive attack upon the eccen-
trio member from. Virginia. At the con-
clusion Of the young orators yoluminous
address,Ith hero of Roanoke arose, and
stretching out his long and nervous arm
toward the seat of the complacent youth,
with half inquiring, half contemptuous-
look, thus replied: ''Mr. Speaker. who's
that" ts.- :: ---- -. -
We are puzzled to know whether the
narrator Of this anecdete intended to i'm
ply a compliment to Mr.. Randolph, or
otherwise. Perhaps it is related simply
asa characteristic incident. His AFRO
CANT temper and his oyerbearing and in
solent disposition and manners were pro-
verbal, both in Congress and the social
circles of Washington and elsewhere.
These disagreeabfe exhibitions were much
excused On account of his physical in:
frmities and his constitutional irritab bill
ty.' And they were often submitted to
without resentful reply, because his
known powers Of sarcasm and repartee
made him dreaded in an encounter of
wits. During his long service in Congress,
he rarely met his match in skirmish Of
that description. Occasionally, however,
he ran against the wrong man, and got
badly punished. The terrible excoriation
which he received from Tristan Burgess,
of Rhode Island, has long been matter
of history. He was so much addicted to
the use offensive personalities in debate,
that he rarely attempted reply to an ar
gnment, even on an abstract question,
without running into them. And vet he
uallydisplayed much judgment and dis
crimination. in selecting objects of vitu-
=peration. Nearly An entire day was once
occupied in the House of Representatives
by al alteration between Mr. Randolph
and John c.. Wright, now the senior edi-
tor Of the Cincinnati Gazette. We do not
rec0lleet how the controversy sprung up.
1t was wholly fortuitoUs and unexpected,
however; and the gentlemen themselves
We're as much surprised at finding them
selves involved iii contest of words, as
the House was aiaused at the dexterity
and yigor with which it was conducted.
Mr.. Wright was very ready and adroit
man, full Of pluck and confidence, and
instead of acting on the defensive, he
made that course indispensable TO his an
tagonist. Ar. Randolph was astonished
at the skill with which his blows were
returned, and he finally drew out of the
struggle with the remark that if he had
had the least idea there was so much stuff
III the little man, he never would have
mcddled with him.
Mr.. Randolph was in the house most
OF the time that Mr.. Clay was the preSid-
ing officer. The difficulty between them
that, finally terminated in duel, had it's
origin in'the House. Mr.. Randolph's un-
parliamentary and disorderly conduct Of
ten brought down upon him the stern
rebuke of Speaker Clay, and the irascible
'Nirginian never submitted to discipline
with much oomposure. Mr.. Clay, how
ever, was an ugly customer for any one
to deal with, in rough way. and no one
knew that better. than Mr.. Randolph.
He therefore generally managed to put
sufficient constraint upon himself to avert
a. collision or even an angry retort. =.
AS specimen Of the rude manner with
which he was accustomed to treat those
from he anticipated no retaliation, we
may mention his bearing towards Penn
sylvania member Of Congress, who offered
an amendment to bill reported by Ran
dolph from the Committee on Military
affairs, of which he was Chairman, dur
ing the war of 1912. The gentleman was
watchmak ker, but being general of mil
itia, he had contracted the opinion that
military legislation was species of busi-
ness to which he was specially adapted.
When he proposed his amendment, Mr.
Randolph rose, taking his watch from his
pocket ut the same time, and holding it
up to the gaze of the House, on pitching
his voice on its shmlest key, said" Mr..
speaker: the. ..member;from Pennsylvania
understands -tic-tics, but he don't under
stand tactics. He can mend my watch,
but he can't mend my motions"
One OF the seyerest eastigations ever
received by Mr.. Randolph, was admins
VIVA ~ ."Soi 90 4hSbuult, SOOu aItCT Tie
latter entered Congress. It was before
his famous quarrel with Cummings, and
the fiery South Sarolinian was then as
pr2mpt With his hand, as he always was
with his tongue. He was very striking
looking man, with 2 piercing black eye,
and black hair. His usual style of speak
ing was vehement to an uncommon de.
gree. Upon some important question,
Mr.. McD. made strong and telling
speech, disputing the grounds and con-
troverting the arguments of Mr.. Ran
dolph: Ihe members listened with fiat
'tering attention to Mr.. McD. Their graf.
itication at his effort being enhanced by
the circumstance that he had arrayed
himself IL opposition to one with whom
they. were reluctant to come in collision.
Mr.. Randolph replied in his accustomed
tone Of acrimony and reproach, rendered
more yirllent by his surprise at an as
sault from a quarter whence he had ex-
-pected cooperation and support. He af
fected profound contempt for Mr.: MeDuf.
te-charged him with presumption in
entering upon the discussion, indulged in,
harsh vituperation, and wound up in. o
strain Of sncering ridicule and sarcasm
Of the most irritating. description. Mr..