Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-07-28
CHARACTER OF JOHN RANDOLPH.
BY J. X. PAULDING.


Among the descendants of Pocahontas, the
most remarkable are John Randolph anC
Boiling Robertson, each exhibiting in com.
piexion aud physiognomy indubitable traces
of the common stock The eyes of both ar,
perfectly Indian-black, SHINING, and occa
sionally fierce. Indeed | have never me
with a man having a cross of the aboriginal
that did not show it like blood-horse. TIL,
marks seem indelible, both in body ant
mind.
In my visit to Washington, four winters
ago, it was my fortune to lodge in the samC
hotel with Mr.. Randolph, and to be favored
with his acquaintance might almost say
his friendship-which, notwithstanding his
wayward disposition is | am told, generally
steadfast and sincere. He is certainly the
most extraordinary parsonage | have ever
known, and, on the whole, the greatest orator
have heard. There is wit in every thing
he says, and eloquence at the very end of his
long fingers. He is the last man in the
world into whose hands l should wish to fall
in debate, for he cuts with two-edged
sword, and makes war like his Indian ances.
tors sparing neither sex nor age. Yet hi;
kindness is irresistible, and when he wishes
to evince it, the tones of his voice and ex-
preston of his eye, go equally TO the heart.
His style of oratory in Congress is emphat-
ically his own. He is, indeed original and
unique in everything. His language is
simple, though polished; brief, though rich,
and is direct as the arrow from the Indian
bow. He often flies, apparently, from his
subject, but, however he may seem to drift
without rudder or compass, never falls to
return with a bound, illustrating it with
flashes of living light. Though eccentric in
the ordinary intercourse of life, there will be
found more of what is called plain common
sense in his speeches than in those of any
other member of Congress. His illustrations
are almost always drawn from the most
familiar sources, and no man is so happy in
illusions to fables, proverbs, and incidents OF
the day. He never declaims, or sacrifices
strength, elearness, and simplicity TO the
more popular charms of redundant metaphor
and full-rounded periods He is abrupt,
sententiOus and laconic. Nothing, indeed, is
more easy of comprehension than the eX-
pressed ideas of the great orator of Old
Virginia. Though exceedingly irritable in
debate, he is never loud or boisterous, but
utters biting sarcasms in a manner the most
provokingly cool, and a voice that suggests
the music of the spheres. Such is the admira-
BILE clearness and perfection of his enuncia-
tion, that his lowest tones circulate like
echoes through the halls of Congress. In
short, in all the requisites of great orator
he has no superior, and, in the greatest of all,
the power of attracting, charming, riveting
the attention of his audience, no equal in this
country.
Mr.. Randolph has shared the fortunes of
most political leaders, in having his conduct
misrepresented, his ioibles-which, heaven
knows are sufficiently formidable-exag-
gerated, and his peculiarities carcatured,
without remorse. The fault is, in a great
measure, his own. He spares no adversary,
and has no right TO expect quarter from
IT, &, f.,4o
n beacon, indicating the necessity of toler-
nnce in politics as well as religion. That he
is capricious, and careless of wounding those
for whom he has no particular regard, no one
will deny. That he is impatient in argument
ind intolerant of opposition, is equally
certain; and the whole world knows, that he
is little solicitous to disguise his contempt OF
dislike. But much Of this peevishness may
ind its origin and excuse in his physical suf.
fcrings. Almost from birth ne had moi
known the blessing of health, nor enjoyed
irretrievably broken; and though he may
live many years, they viii, in all probability,
be years of anxiety and suffering, embittered
not only by the absence of hope, but by the
ridicule, instead of the sympathy, of the world,
which is ever too apt TO suppose that man can
not be sick without dying. Men lingering
under the slow consuming decay of con.
stitutional infirmity, and perishing, not by
inches, but the hundredth parts of an inch
seem to me the most pitiable of the human
race. The world, and even their nearest
friends, come at last to believe their malady
is imaginary, their complaints without cause
They grow tired of hearing a man always
proclaiming himself a victim to disease, yet
at the same time appearing to take his share
in the business, as well as the enjoyments o.
society, and living on like the rest of his
fellow worms. "They Jest at scars thai
never felt wound" and tie very circum.
stance that should excite additional commits.
Grafton, too often gives occasion TO colo
neglect and hippant ridicule.
In this painful and trying condition wa
Mr.. Randolph when saw him, and it is bu
fair to urge that some apology at least for hi
indifference TO the feelings of others, nigh
be found in the harrassing nature ofhis own
know of no other situation more aptly cal
culated TO make man misanthrope anC
those who are foremost and loudest in theil
condemnation, would do we'll TO look into
their own hearts, put themselves in his place
and then ask whether it does not lead to,
though II may not justify, occasional petu-
lance, II not habitual ill-temper. / here
speak OF him as the world generally does
But 50 far as saw hih, and this wBs at all
hours, he was full of benignity. His treat
ment OF his servants, and especially of his
own slaves, was that of most indulgent
master, and he always called his personal
attendant Johnny" which diminutive, tC
mind, strongly indicated an habitual good
will toward them. 1t is thus we designate
our familiar friends, and the children Of ouI
love. To me, from whose admiration OF ap.
plause be could anticipate neither honor mol
advantage, his behavior was uniformly kind
almost aifectionate, and it will be long before
l forget his melancholy, yet conciliatory
smile, the music Of his voice, OF the magic o
his gentle manners. -'f,f
We passed our evenings together for som,
weeks, or rather may say the better part o
our lughts, for he loved to sit up late, because
as ne was wont to say, the grave, not the bed
was ms place of rest. On these occasion
there was a acharm in his conversation neve
found in that Of any other person. Old Virgini
was the goddess Of his indolatry, and of he
he delighted TO talk. The glories and triumph
Of Patrick Henrys eloquence, and the an