Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1854-08-16

often to the querulous mood, and the state of his
mind sometimes to the question of insanity; a
question which became judicial after his death,
when the validity of his will came to be contest
ed. had my opinion on the point, and gave it
responsible, in deposition duly taken to be read
on the trial of the will; and in which belief in
his insanity, at several specified periods was full
ly expressed-with the reasons for the opinion.
| had good opportunities of forming an opinion,
living in the same house with him several years,
having his confidence and at all hours of the day
and night. 1t also OH several occasions became
my duty to study the question, with view to gov
ern my own conduct under critical circumstances
Twice he applied to me to carry challenges for
him. 1t would have qeen inhuman to have gone
out with man not in his right mind, and critical
to ones SELF as any accident on the ground might
compromise the second. My opinion was fixed,
of occasional temporary alterations of 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 fantasies; nothing to
bespeak bad heart but only cxaltution aud ex-
ctement The most brilliant talk that ever
heard, from him came forth on such an occasion
a flow for hours, Cat one time seven hours) copi-
Gus with classic alusion--a perfect scattering of
the diamonds of the mind. heard friend re-
mark on one of these occasions, he has wasted
intellectual jewelry enough here this evening to
equip many speakers for great orations. once
sounded him on. the delicate point of his own
opinions Of himsef:-of course when he had said
something to permit an approach to such sub
ject. 1t was during his last visit to Washing
ton, two winters before he died. 1t was in my
room in the gloom Of the evening light, as the
day was going out and the lamps not lit-no one
present but ourselves-he reclining on sofa, ST.
lent and thoughtful, speaking but seldom and
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 " Senility
and Imbecility," which shows us life under its
most melancholy form:
"ln lc's last scenes what prodiges surprise,
Fears Qf the brave, and focs of the wise! .r.
rom Marlboroughs eyes the of dotagc flow,
And Swift expires, drycer and show.''
did with deep feeling, and in slow and measured
cadence, | deemed it excusabe to make re-
mark of kind which had never ventured on be-
fore, and said: i" 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 to fear the fate of
Swift" said this to sound him, and to see what
be thought of himself. His answer was, ~ have
lived in dread of insanity.'' That answer was
the opening of a sealed book-revsaled to me the
source of much mental agony thatI had seen him
in danger Of the fate of Swift and from the same
Cause as judged by his latest and greatest bog-
rapher, Sir Walter Scott. .4
His parliamentary life was resplendent in tai
ent-elevated in moral tone--always moving on
the lofty line Of honor and patriotism, and scorn-
ing everything mean and selfish. He was the
indignant enemy of personal and punder legisla-
ton, and the very scourge of intrigue and cor
ruption. He reverenced an honest man in hum
best garb, and scerned the dishonest, though pa-
ted with gold. An opinion was propagated that
he was tickle with friendships. Certainly, there
were SOME caprcious changes; but far more in
stances of steadfast adherence. His friendship
with Mr.. Macon was histrionic Their names
went together in life-ive together in death
and are honored together, most by those who
knew them best. With Mr.. Teazewell, his
friendship was still longer than that with
Mr.. Macon commencing in boyhood, and only
ending with life So with many Others and pre-
emnenty so of his neighbors and constituents
the people OF his Congressional district-atec-
tionate as faithful to him--electng him as they
did, from boyhood to the grave. No one felt
more for his friends, or was more socious and
anxious by the side of the sick and dying bed.
Love of wine was attributed to him; and what
was mental excitement was referred to deep po-
tstions. 1t was great error; meyer saw. him
affected by wine--not even to the slightest de-
parture from the habitual and scrupulous !decorum
of his manners,
His temp er.w was naturally gay and social, and
so indulged when suffering of mind and body per.
mitted. He was the charm of the dinner table.
where his cheerful and sparkling wit delighted
every ear, lit up every countenance, and detain'
|
ed every guest. - .- ...
Hew charitable, but chose to conceal the
hand that ministered relief; have often seer
him send little children to give to the poor.
He was one of the large shareholders of Vir
ginia but dislked the institution, and when lie
alone, opposed its extension. Thus in 1903
when as chairman of the committee which re
ported upon the Indiana memorial for tem2ora
ry dispensation from the anti-slayery part Of th'
!. ordinance Of 1887, he puts the question upon
] statesmans ground; and reports against it, in I
brief and comprehensive argument. Hg.j:
"That the rapid population of the State of In
diana sufficiently evinces, in the opinion of you
committee, that the labor Of the slave is not nee
essary to promote, the growth and settlement o
colonies in that, region. That this labor, de
monstrably the dearest of any, can only be EN-
ployed to advantage in the cultivation of product
b more valuable than any known in that quarter q
II TI,x;toJ S+,tas, al az e.si-..