The Portland daily press., 1867-10-25

4
member OF the lower House Of Congress.
and at one time OF the Senate, he never pro-
jected one useful measure, ,or made speech
though an incessant speaker--whi.h III enunci-
ated any great principle which might be ap-
| pealed to in after times like the doctrines oil
his contemporaries above-named, as a beacon
| light for the ship Of state. He was an eeeen-
| trio creature, perfectly intolerant OF every
Northern idea or Northern man. He boasted
of being descendant of Pocahontas, and as
hybrids cannot be prolific, this may explain
the cause of his being neither male nor fe-
male. In his physical contour, In the tone OF
bis voice and the delicacy of his gesticnlat-
ing arms and long fingers the feminine de-
eidedly prevailed He never had beard,
and so Juvenile did he appear wheH first
elected to Congress, that the Committee on
Elections, after examining his credentials, very
seriously doubted whether be could have at
tanned the age Us years. required for mem,
bership by the Constitution. The chairman
demanded to know how old he was "Ask my
constituents" was his only and Characteristic
reply. ad1 l' 1''"'
Randolph was opposed to the tariff intro
duced by Calhoun after the war OF 1912, for
the encouragement of American manutac
lures, because he foresaw that it would help
the business OF the New England States,
from which, perhaps, rather than England,
he might be obliged to procure his fine broad
cloth; and SO zealously did he oppose Ameri-
can wOOlen fabrics, that it became proverb
that he would "go out of his way any time to
kick sheap." ~. ". ...,.. .y.,r H.l.
:. He hated John Adams with a per- feet ha-
tired, and his animOsity was entaled upon
his posterity and all who bore the name of
Adams. During the administration Of
John Quincy Adams he opposed every
one of his measures, from Mr. Adarns's
proposition for a national observatory,
called his Lighthouse OF the Skies"
to his sympathy for the South American states
in their desire for republican government.
Up to Adams's election, he had been the poll
teal friend Of Henry Clay. the was the per-
sonal friend Of no living man, but when Clay
cast the vote OF Kentucky for MIR. Adams in
the House, which made him President, he
struck the key note of bargain and cor
ruption" which James Buchanan afterwards
took up, and which, In the controversy with
Adams that afterwards ensued, brought his
accuser to the ground "hat on his back" ~
Many anecdotes have been told Of Ran
dolph, two OF which, rs we have never seen
them in print, we venture to relate in this
place. ...-. +.
Col. Timothy Pickering OF Massachusetts,
who had been member of Washington's
Cabinet, was John Adams's Secretary OF
State. He was an Essex Juntor Federalist
of the straitest sect, man Of tried patriot
ism during the whole Revolution and an able
statesman. He was a man of strong preu-
dices, and because he was sure he was right
he would stick to IL at all hazards. Honest
Abe Lincoln never had worthier reputation
than did Tim Pickering as an honest man.
He thought Mr.. Adams ON the trial for his re-
election against his competitor, Thomas JEFF
ferson had showed white flag to the enemy
for the sake Of conelliating the French, or JEFF
fersonian party, and for this cause he broke
friendship with Adams and left his cabinetin in
disgust. From that time, he as well as Ran
dolph became the enemy Of Adams and all
his blood. When the son, John Quincy Adj
ans, was candidate for the Presidency, he
went In for Crawford, or JACKSON, or any
body for the sake of preventing the election
OF an Adams John Quincy was once Fed
eral Senator in Congress nom Massachusetts,
and though he opposed Jeferson's purchase
of Louisiana, he supported him in his embh hr-
60 measure which SO crippled the commetce
of his State Pickering laid all these things
up against the son of bis own Presidential
Chief n, u 1000 -ll "a, bts s.ot H
For years Col. Pickering lived In private
life upon small farm in Danvers. Essex Co.,
where he gave great attention to the cause of
agriculture, and did more, probably, than any
other man In his time for improvements
in that important branch of industry. He
was a leading member of Agricultural or Hor-
ticultural Societies, and Tree contributor to
the press devoted to these interests. Unlike
most politicians he was too honest to make a
private fortune out ofthe public offices he had
held. Not the first cent, beyond his legal saw
ings, would he put into his pocket from the
national Golfers. He was poor-uery poor; SO
destitute, indeed, In his old age, that some
years after the war of 1872, the people of old
Essex, In charity to the honest old man, chose
him their Representative to Congress once
more. He was now white haired patriarch
amidst new generation Of Congressmen, bat
few of whom had ever seen or known him =
John Randolph, however, who still kept his
lifelong seat remembered him well and felt
some kindness towards the old man, not on
account of his Federalism, for he hated that in
him, but on account of his hostility to Ad-
ans. - Gs
One day some question came up before the
House which relate cd to something that had
reference to the earlier administration of the
government-in Washington's and Adams's
times, and no man present could give the I'M
formation but Col. Pickering. At the request
OF the Speaker, he arose, uncovered the long,
'Shite locks which hung over his venerable
shoulders, and addressed the chair. All eyes
were turned upon him. Every ear was OPEN
ed. d He entered gravely upon the reminis-
cences Of the early time when he and his
eompatriots In the field and the cabinet had
presided at the birth of our national govern
ment. He alluded to his military service in
the Revolution and to his confidential com
panionship with Washington In the army, and
as a member of his Cabinet. Times had chang
ed, and he had changed also. He was then
in the vlgor of his manhood, and had ample
opportunities at his command Of enrichlng
himself at the public chest; but he had
scorned the opportunity, and at the mention
OF his present poverty, tears were seen to fall
from his aged eyes. The members could
hardly refrain from the same exhibition, as
he sunk into his seat overcome with the con-
trast.
The next day the question came up again |
on which Col Pickering had spoken as above /
related. John Randolph was the first to take
the floor. He was evidently excited. and was
even more than usually parenthetical in his
remarks. Addressing the speaker he said
"Sir, when on yesterday lstretching out his
lank arm, and pointing his long feminine fin-
ger toward Col Picksrilg) saw the vener-
able gentleman from Massachusetts, arise In
his seat, and with his white locks flowing up-
on his emaciated shoulders, heard him recount
the perils of the Revolutionary struggle In
which he bore so honorable part; when, too.
Sir, he related the still severer trials he en-
countered with Washington In, organizing