Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1874-05-28

lne world was too much governed.
He believed that beyond the protec-
ton of the people in their rights,
most of the measures proposed under
the promise of immense benefit to the
people were delusive and injurious.
Mr.. Clay's american System" the
Panama Congress" and all such
schemes, were objects of strong aver
sion.
In 1890 ''the mother of States
and of statesmen" was honored with
a Convention, to make for her a new
constitution. That was by far the
aPest and most venerable body of
nSn I haye ever seen assembled on
afsairs of state In it were two ex-
Presidents, Madison and Monroe, the
CAief-Justice of the United States,
John Marshall, Lyttleton Waller
Hlzewell, John Randolph of Roam
Oh, Richard Venable, Phillip Dod-
bridge, Briscoe G. Baldwin, Chap
man johnson, Richard Morris, Sam
uel Taylor, Benjamin Watkins Leigh,
Judge Coulter, Henry st. George
Tucker, and large number of men
of high consideration.
In this Convention the policy of
the East,was to have as little change
as possible. On. the other side the
desire was for great changes. Early
in the session one gentleman used
the phrase protest" Mr. Randolph
seeing that this member was likely
to aid the party desiring change, I'M
dertook to destroy his influence, by
pouring ridicule on him for using
language technically proper only in
the British house OF Lords.
Another member, before his cleo
tion, had opposed any convention, or
any change in the constitution. Sub
seduently he was candidate for the
Convention, and agreed to favor con-
siderable changes, particularly in the
matter of representation. In speech
of some power, Mr.. Randolph COM
pared him to the captain so famous
in a celebrated novel, who fought on
any side. The chief power of the
speech was probably lin weakening
the courage of the gentleman, and
in restraining him from the master
ly defense he was capable of making
in any respectable cause.
In the Convention was a preacher
who had made some noise in the
world. l was present when he rose
to make his address, intended to be
powerful. But Mr.. Randolph, who
was great actor, drew many eyes to
himself. At first he leaned forward,
gazed as if with wonder and in awe.
Fortwo or three minutes he looked
and acted as if he expected some
thing great, BY degrees he seemed
to lose interest in the speaS I, and
finally sunk back into his SCI {. with
strong expression of contempt on
his cOuntenance He had not said
word nor violated any parliamentary
law. The acting was perfect. 1t had
its effect. The speaker could not
rally his courage or his party.
Yet near the close of the COnven
ton Mr.. Randolph made declara
tion of his good will towards every
member of the body; but this came
too late to relieve some very painful
emotions in several minds.
The new constitution was submit
ted to the vote of the people in 1880.
In April Mr.. Randolph addressed the
people who had elected him.
heard his speech at Charlotte Court
house. His appearance was express
sive. He was tall and thin. His
beardless face was pale and full of
small wrinkles. He was dressed like
an old man, very neatly, but very |
simple. His eyes were as brilliant
as they had ever been. His long,
horny forefinger seemed to have the
power of a magician's wand. In
five days from that time l could |
have repeated nearly the whole
speech.
And yet that speech disappointed
some. A stranger of some intelli
gence came there expecting to be
thrilled, or melted, or aroused to in
dignation. But Mr., Randolph, so far
from being impassioned, was as calm
as any man ever seems to be. He
affected no humor. He was as Sim
pie as little child. A few times his
irony was cutting, his sarcasm biting,
his rebuke terrible; but there seemed
to be no passion in it all.
Mr.. Randolph put his hearers in
possession of his own thoughts.
This was his aim. And his thoughts
were indelibly impressed on the mind
of every intelligent listener.
My judgment to-day, at the dis
tance of nearly forty-four years, is
that it was one of the most effective
speeches / have ever heard. 1t was
conclusive. No one asked any ques
tions. The old men wept. Here is
one entire paragraph: Formerly |
tyrants and the authors of misrule
used to split the noses, crop the ears
and brand the skin of those under
their hated power. But this course
made it unpleasant to look at their
subjects. Their faces were hideous.
| Afterwards they tried another plan. |
They hired out their subjects to fight
for foreign potentates in wars in
which they had no concern. Many
of these mercenaries never returned.
This plan left their country filed
with widows and orphans At length
this scheme was abandoned. But
our modern wrongdoers in power,
have found out far better way of
gaining their vile ends. They give
to each man what they denominate
fee simple title to a piece of land,
perhaps as much as he can cultivate
I He calls it his own. His house is his
castle. The law protects him in his
possessions. He is encouraged to
ply all the arts of industry, and to
make all he can. Then the hated ty-
I rants send around the tax-gatberer