Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1854-07-01

sometimes TO the question OF insanity;
question which become judicial after his
death, when the validity of bis will came
10 be contested | had my opinion on that
point, and gave il responsibly, in dispose
tion duly taken, to be read on The trial OF
the WILL and in which belief OF insanity,
at several specified periods, was fully ex-
pressed-with the reason for the opinion.
| had good opportunities for forming our
opinion, living in the same house with
him for several years, having his CONT
dence, and seeing him all hours of the day
and night. 1t also on several occasions
became my 0vty 10 study the question,
with view 10 govern my conduc: under
critical circumstances. Twice be applied
20 me 10 carry challenges for him. i.
would have been inhuman to have gone
out with man not in his right mind and
critical to ones self, as any accident on
the ground might seriously compromise the
second. My opinion was fixed, of occa-
sional temporary alterations oil the mind;
and during such periods he would do and
say strange things-but always in his own
way-not only method, but genius in his
tantasics nothing TO bespeak bad heart,
but only exultation and excitement. The
most brilliant talk that | ever heard from
him came forth on such occasions-a flow
for hours (at one time seven hours OF CO.
pious wit and classic alusion-- perfect
scattering of the diamonds Of the mind. /
heard friend remark on one Of these occa-
sions, ''l1e has wasted intellectual iewelry
enough here this evening to equip many
speakers for great orations." ] once sound
ed him on the delicate point of his own
opinon of himself of course when he was
in perfectly natural state, and when be
had said something 10 permit an approach
to such a subject. i: was during his last
visit TO Washington, two winters before he
died. 1t was in my room in gloom Of the
evening light as the day was going out and
the lamps not lit-no one present but olr-
selves-he reclining on sofa, silent and
thoughtful, speaking but seldom, and'I only
in reply, | heard him repeat, as if TO him
self, those lines from Johnson (Which in
fact | had often heard from him before }
on ''Semlity and lmbeciily," which shows
us life under lis most melancholy form.
''In fc's last scenes whit prodgics surprise,
Fears Of the brave, and foies Of the wise!
From Mulboroueh's eyes the streams of dotage l)w,
| And swift expires drveer AMI show"
When he had thus repeated these lines
which he did with great feeling, and in
slow and measured cadence, deemed il
ezcuSabe 10 make a remark OF kind
which had never ventured on before, and
said Mr. Randolph have several times
heard you repeat these lines, as if they
could have an application TO yourself
while no person can have less reason tc
fear the fate of Swift. l said tins 10 SOUND
him, and TO see what he thought of him.
self. His answer was 81 have lived r
dread of insanity" That answer was The
opening OF the sealed book-reveaed tC
me the source Of much mental agony tina
had seen him undergo. l did deem hin
in danger Of the fate OF Swift, and from Tho
same cause as judged by his latest ant
greatest biographer, Sir Walter Scott.
,, His parliamentary life was resplenden
in talent-elevated in moral tone-alway
, moving on the lofty line of honor and pa
triotism, and scornng everything mear
and selfish. He was the indignant enem,
I, tpersonal plumber legislation, and the YER,
scourge OF intrigue and corruption. Ii,
reverenced an honest man in the humbles
garb, and scorned the dishonest, though
> plated with gold. An opinion was prop
ogated that he was tickle in his friendships
. Certainly there were some capricious char
ges; but far more instances oil steadras
!, adherence. His friendship with Mr.. Ma
: con was hlstrionic. Their names wen
r together in liie-live together in death
! and are honoured together most by thos
! that knew them best. With Mr.. Tazewell
: his friendship, was still longer shan ,ha
;, with MIR. Macon, commencing in boyhood
!. and only ending with lie. So of man,
: others; and pre-emnently so of his neigh
= bors and consttuents-ihe people of hi
Congressional diStrict-aifecionate as wed
as faithful 10 him; electing him as the
did, from boyhood to the grave. No on
!, felt more for friends, or was more solicitor
: and anxious at the side OF the sick and DIV
" ing bed. Love Of wine was attributed I
him; and what was mental eXciiemen
;, was referred to deep potatious. |, was
: great error. | never saw him affected b
= wine--not even the slightest deparluT
" from the habitual and scrupulous decoruI
!, OF his manners. His temper was naturall
" gay, social, and SO indulged when sulltrin
y OF mind and body permitted, lie was III
= charm Of the dinner table, where his chez
i ful ana sparkling wit delighted every CUES
n lie was charitable; but chose TO eoncei
4 the hand that minisiered relief. | hay
IL often seen him send little children out
) give to the poor,
n. lie was one OF the large shareholders
Virginia, but eisliked the institution, an
Of when le, alone, opposed its extension
n. Thus, IN 1908, when as a chairman OF Il
n committee which reported upon the lndiaI
q. memorial for a temporary dispensaliC
IRON the anli-slayery part OF the oFdinanl
H. OF lie, he puts the question upon state
10 man ground, and reports against II, Ia
a, brisi aad comprehensive argumeni.
IN "IhaI the apid population oi the Sta
Is, Of Ohio sulilSienlly eyiners, 10 the opinil
IN OF your eopmliee, that the labor Of u
he slave u not negesaaFy 10 promote u
,h growth anl settlement oi eolonies Ia N
h. fss,on, That lhis la50T, denonslrably h
x. dsaIeA ol apY, can only be employed
\. advantage Ia lhe-euliiy alton OF produi
Al ul0To valuable than aay kn0gn 10 N
4 a .u A