The Rutland County herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1852-1855, 1854-07-21

KETCn OF JOHN RANDOLPH.

From Thomas II. Benton's " Thirty Years View"
lie died at Philadelphia in !he sum
mer Of lS33-ihe scene Of his early
and brilliant apparition on the stage Of
public life, having commenced his par
liamentary career in that city, under the
first Mr.. Adams, when Congress sat
there, and when he was barely Of an
age to be admitted into the body. For
more than thirty years he was the po-
litical meteor Of Congress, blazing with
undiminished splendor during the whole
time and often appearing as the "plan-
eiary plague " which shed, not war and
pestilence on nations, but agony and
fear on members. His sarcasm was
keen, refined, wiiherng-with a great
tendency to indulge in ii 4; but, as ho be-
lieved, as lawful parliamentary wea-
pom to effect some desirable purpose
Pretension, meanness, vice, demagog-
ism were the frequent subjects of the
exercise Of his talent and when con.
fined TO them, he was the benelacior of
the House. Wit and genius all allow
ell him; sagaciiy was q quality Of his
mind visible TO all observers-and which
gave him an intuitive insight into the
effect Of measures. During the first
six years Of Mr.. Jefierson's administra-
tion, he was tho " Murat "of his party,
brilliant in the charge, and always ready
for it; and valued in the council, as
well as in the field. He was long the
chairman Of the Committee of Ways
and Means-a place always of labor
and responsibility, and of more then
than now, when the elements of the rev.
enue were less abundant and no man
could have been placed in tha, situation
during Mr. JefFerson's time whose known
sagacity was not pledge for the safety
Of his lead in the most sudden and crit
ical circumstances. lie was one OF
those whom that eminent statesman ha
bitually consulted during the period ol
their friendship, and to whom he care
fully communicated his plans before
they were given to the public. On hiG
arrival at Washington at the opening
Of each session Of Congress during Thu
period, he regularly found waiting fol
him at his established lodgings--iher
Crawford's, Georgetown-the card o.
Mr.. Jefferson, with an invitation TO din
ncr the next day; dinner at which
the leading measures Of the ensuing ses
sion were the principal topic. Mr.. JET
ferson did not treat in that way a mem
Der whose sagacity he had not conf
dence in.
II is moi just TO judge such man By
ordinary rules, nor by detached an'
seperaie incidents of his life. To com
prehend him. he must DO judged as
whole-physically and menta!ly-an'
under many aspects, and for his entir
life. lie was never well--a ehroni
victim Of i'll health from the cradle l.
the grave. A letter from his most init
mate and valued friend. Mr.. Macon
written TO me ailer bis death, expresse
the belief that he hal never enjoyed dur
ing his life one day Of perfect health
such as well people enjoy. Such life
long suffering musi have its effect o
the temper and on the mind and !, ha
on his--bringing the temper often
the querulous mood, and the state {
nj. mind sometimes TO the question ,
insanity: a question which became },
dicial after his death. when the valihil
Of his will came To be contested, ] la
my opinion on the point, and gave
responsibly. ia deposition duly taken,
be read on the trial Of the will and
which a belief in his insanity, AT seve
al specified periods, MAS fully express
with the reasons for the opinion.
had good opportunities Of forming .
opinioa. living Ia the same house ~i
hin several years, having bis con-
denee, snd seias him AT al hours q q
day and night IL also on several O
aassons became nay daiy. 10 study q
a =.