St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-11
TALK.


Gribble case that "John Randolph was full
Of mental eccentricities."
Ay, that he was in your lenient' speech
John B., but It would have savored more Of
the downright truth if you had said he Was
full Of the devil. a few years ago an extra
ordinary letter Of his was republished, accusing
his cousin Anne Randolph of infanticide.
She became the wife of the Gouverneur
Morris Of that day, and his namesake and
descendant the present Gouverneur Morris
ably refuted the ezhumed scandal by saying
that the charge never existed save in the
diabolical disorder of John Randolph's
Imagination. His suit was refused by
the lady, who became engaged TO his brother
Theodore, and the sinister purpose of John
Randolph's life henceforth was making the
lives Of his brother and his betrothed as mis-
cradle as his vicious nature could compass.
Theodore, being in a decline, died before
marriage. John Randolph, as head Of the
house, held all the property, and his cousin
was thrown upon the world penniless, until
the compassionate hospitality Of Thomas
Randolph received her at Monticello. He
WIS III sLIdItcutu CilSuHetdHNCS anu hau d
large family.
Miss Randolph, not wishing to add to his
burden, came north to support herself, and
meetin. Gouverneur Morris at Newport, was
pitied, loved and married by him.
"Thc fact Is, writes Gouverncur Morris of
our day, "John Randolph was a brilliant
lunatc, much addicted to liquor"
Between lunacy and alcohol he was often
Irresponsible. This was so well known in
Virginil that 1t accounts for John dying in
his bed, instead Of being killed by some of
the many people whose characters and rcpu-
tations he attacked with tongue and peDe
John Randolph's letter to his cousin, Anne
Randolph Morris, making the vilest accusa-
tons, and her answer to him, are interesting
reading 10 the student of early national
history.
The charges were wholly grOundless, and
Mrs. Morris was valued and esteemed by the
distinguished people of her state and time.
Chief Justice Marshall was true and con-
slant friend until her death
Randolph, when he wasn't crazy, was
vicious. The world reading Of him in
cursory sort of way regards him with
grand. gloomy and peculiar Authorization. But
be was both mad and bad. A nature so full
OF evil impulses is charitably said to owe its
wicked precipitation TO insanity. Randolph
was a toicrably successful mailman. He
represented Virginia thirty years in congress
besides being a senator, and minister 10
Russia under jackson. He had the ampest
scope for mischief, and no one ever doubted
his disposition for It. His speeches are
quoted, and his caustic rctorts are admired.
He scourged his political associates, aud he
viided bis opponents out Of the inexhausti-
bic resources Of his vituperatlve mind. He
once said In speaking Of Henry Clay: The
hyperbole for meanuess would be an ellipsis
for Clay. It would have been true turned
against himself.
Aud this is the man most eloquent
and sympathetic, advocate Brisbin, that you
bring into your plea as a savory in
stance OF 'mental eccentriciiy" TO
help out the case of your b-dyereI client,
the worthy and good, Mr.. Edwin Gribble
Far better that this prosecuted individual
should be regarded as his injurious revilers
would faIn prove him 10 be, than that he
should be pilloried even by illustration in
such bad and damaging, alJeit brilliant as
socation as his disinterested defender would
give him.
For the rest Mr.. Edwin Gribble can per-
haps soacc himself with the saying of 4.
Hempis, ~ good life maketh man wise
according to God.n
There is no money in such a verdict.
Seldom do money and righteousness dovetail
In verdict where one shall stand for the
other.