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


conduct under critical circumstances.
Twice he applied to me TO carry chsl-
lences for him. II would have been
inhuman to have gone out with = man
not in his right mind. and critical to
to one, self ss ANY accident on the
ground might seriously compromise the
second. My opinion was fixed, of oc-
casIonal temporary alterations of mind I;
and during such period. he would do
and say strange things--bui Always in
his own way--not only method. but
genius in bis fantasies nothing TO be-
speak \ bad heart. but only exaliaiion
and excitement. The most brilliant
talk that ever heard from him came
forth on such occasions---a flow for hours
tat ona time seven hour..) Of oopious
Wit and classic allusion---a perfect seat
ierrins Of the diamonds Of the mind
] heard a friend remark on one Of these
occasions, "he has wasted intellectual
jewelry enough here this evening TO
equip many speakers for grea, ora,ions." "
i once sounded him on the delicate
point OF his own opinion Of himself: of
course when he was in perfectly nat
ural state, and when he had said some
thing to permit an approach to such n
subject. 1t was during his last visit to
Washington, two winters before he died.
II 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 a sofa,
silent and thoughtful, speaking but sell
dom, and only in reply, ] heard him
repeat as If to himself those lines from
johnson. (Which in fact | had often
heard from him before,) on "Seniliiy
and Imbecility," which shows US life
under its most melancholy form.
ain iifs's last scenes what ptodisics surprise,
Pears Of the brave, and foliiss of the wise!
From Marlboroos'. eyes the streams of dotssc flow.
Aud Swift expires, drivclier and a show.
When he had thus repeated these
lines, which he did with deep feeling,
and in slow and measured cadence, |
deemed it excusable TO 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 ap-
plication to yourself, while no person
can have less reason to fear the fate Of
Swift. ! said this to sound him, and to
see what he thought of himself. His
answer was have lived in dread Of
insanity That answer was the opening
Of a sealed boOk-revealed to me the
source Of much mental agony that had
seen him undergo. / did deem him in
danger Of the fate of Swift, and from
the same cause as judged by his latest
and best biographer, Sir Walter Scott.
His parliamentry life was resplen.
dent in talent-elevnted in moral tone
always moving on the lofty line of
honor and patriotism, and scorning
everything mean and selfish. lie was
the indignant enemy Of personal and
plundering legislation. and the very
scourgc ofiniriguc and corruption. lie
reverenced an honest man in the hum
blest garb, and scorncd the dishonest
tho plated with gold An opinion was
propogated that he was tickle in his
friendships. Certainly there were some
capricious changes, but far more instan-
ces Of steadfast adherence. His friend
ship with Mr.. Macon was historic
Their names went together in lfe-live
together in death--and are honored to-
gether most by those who knew them
best With Mr.. Tazwell, his friendship
was still longer than with Mr.. Macon,
commencing in boyhood, and only end
ing with life. So Of many others and
pre-emnently so of his neighbors and
constituents-the people ofhis congress.
ional dstrici-aifectionate RS well as
faithful to him; electing him as they
did from boyhood to the grave. No one
felt more for his friends, or was more
solicitous and anxious at the side Of the
sick and dying bed. Love Of wine was
attributed to him ; and what was men.
tai excitement, was referred TO deep po.
iations. II was great error. Inever saw
him affected by wine-not even to the
slightest departure from the habitual and
scropulous dccorum of his manners
His temper WAS naturally gay and so.
cial and so INDUCED when suffering o.
the mind and body permitted. lie wa,
the charm Of the dinner table, wher,
his cheerful and sparkling wit delighted
every ear, lit up eyory countenance, ant
detained every guest. He was Chart
GLie but choose 10 conceal the han,
that mini'iercd relief ] have offer
seen him send little children out to Civ,
to the poor.
lie was one OF the large STAKEHOLDER
Of Virginia, but disliked the institution
and when let alone opposed il. esten
sion. Thus, in 1903, when n. chair
man Of the committee which reporte'
upon the Indiana memorial for tempo
rary dispensaiion from the aniisIaver
part Of the ordinance Of 1857, be put
/ the question upon statesman. ground
, and report. AGAINST it, in . brief Al
T comprehensive argument;
Z THAT the rspii population Of III
State Of Ohio sufficiently evinee, ia ih
y opinion Of your committee. that the lsbo
4 Of the slave is moi necessary TO promoi