Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-09-14
DEATH OF JOHN RANDOLPH,
OF ROANOKE.

OF ROANOKE.
He died at Philadelphia in the summer
of 1S33-the scene of his early and bril-
liant apparition on the stage Of public life,
having commenced his parliamentary ca
reer in that city, under the first MIR. Ad-
ans, 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 political meteor of Congress,
blazing with undiminished splendor du-
ring the whole time, and often appearing
as the "planetary plague" which shed,
not war and pestilence on nations, but
agony and fear on members. His sarcasm
was keen, refined. whitening -with great
tendency to indulge in it; but, as he be-
lieved, as lawful parliamentary weapon
to effect some desirable purpose. Preten-
sion, mcanness, vice, demagogism, were
the frequent sub ects of the exercise of
his talent; and, when confined to them,
he was the benefactor of the House.
Wit and genius all allowed to him; 'sagac-
ity was quality Of his mind visible to all
Observers which gave him an intui-
tive insight into the effect OF measures
During the first six years of Mr.. Jeffer-
sons administration, he was the "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 Mcans-a place always of labor
and responsibility, and Of more then than
now, when the elements of revenue were
less abundant; and no man could have
been placed in that situation during Mr..
Jeferson's time whose known sagacitv
was not pledge for the safety Of his lead
in the most sudden and critical circum-
stances. He was one of those whom that
eminent statesman habitnally consulted
during the period of their friendship, and
to whom he carefully communicated his
plans before they were given to the pub
lie. On his arrival at Washington at the
opening of each session Of Congress du-
ring this period, he regularly found wait
ing for him at his established lodgings
then Crawford's, Georgetown-the card
OF MIR. Jefferson with an invitation for
dinner the next day dinner at which
the leading measures of the ensuing ses-
sion were the principal topic. Mr.. Jeffer-
son did not treat in that way a member in
whose sagaci,y he had no confidence.
1t is not just to judge such man by Or
binary rules, nor by detached and sepa-
rate incidents in his life To comprehend
him, he must be judged as whole-phys-
icaliy and mentaIy-and under many as
poets, and for his entire life. He was
never well--a chronic victim of ill-health
from the cradle to the grave. A letter
from his most intimate and valued friend,
Mr. Macon, written to me after his death,
expressed the belief that he had never
enjoyed during his life one day of perfect
heaIth-such as we'll people enjoy. Such
LIFELONG suffering must have its effect on
the temper and on the mind; and it had
on his-bringing the temper often to the
querulous mood, and the state of his mind
sometimes to the question of insanity: 8
question which became judicial after bis
death, when the validity of his will came
to be contested. had my opinion on the
point, and gave it responsbly, in despo
sltlon duly taken, to be read on the tria
OF the will; and in which belief in his
insanity, at several specified periods, was
fully expressed-with the reasons of the
opinion. | had good opportunities O
forming an opinion, living in the same
house with him several years. having hi
confidence, and seeing him at all hours O
the day and light. It also on several oc
casions became my duty to study the ques
ton, with view to- govern my own con
duct under critical circumstances. Twic,
ne had applied to me to carry challenge
for him. 1t would have been inh1iman +,
have gone ont with man not in his rich
H mind, and critical to ones self, as any &C
cident on the ground might seriously com
promise the second. MY opinion was fix
ed, OF occasional temporary alterations q
mind; and during such periods he woul
40 and say strange thinss-but always il
MS own way-not only method, but geniu
In his fantasies: nothing to bespeak ba
heart, but only exaltation and excitement
Inc most brilliant talk that I ever hear
from him came forth OIL such occasions
ahow Tor hours (at one time seven hours
OF copicus wit and classic allnsjon-a PEI
'ect scattering Of the diamonds of III
mlnd. l heard friend remark on one 4
these occasions, she has wasted intellet
tnai JeWelry enough here this evening t
equip many speakers for great orations.
once sounded him on the delicate uoi,,
OF his opinion Of himself:-of course whe
nc was in a perfectly natural state. an
when he had said something to permit a
spproaeh to such subject. # was !,
ring his last visit to Washington. twn wi,
tiers before he died. 1t was in INV roo,,
in The gloom OF the evening light AZ fl
day was going out and the iamns not lii
so one present but ourselves-he reclin;n
an sofa, silent and thoughtful. sneal;n
Aut seldom, and only in reply. t hea,
him repeat, as if to himself, those lin,
rom Johnsop, (Which in fact had oste
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