Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1890-09-15
Barbour on Randall.
In the o. s. Senate last Saturday Mr..
Barbour said:

In the U. s. Senate last Saturday Mr..
Barbour said:
Mr.. President, If not otherwise prompted,
nv warm personal friendship and high ap-
preciation of thu public services of Samuel
] Randall would furnish me with sufficient
justification to cay something on this oo-
cssion of praise and recommendation to the
memory Of the great PenneyiVanian.
Besides, Mr.. Randall was well-known to
the people of Virginia, and enjoyed without
qualification their highest admiration, con-
fdence, and esteem.
The value and extent of his great legs-
latiye services in the House OF Representa-
tiyes were generally known and appreciated
by our people, and no difference of opinion
upon any economic question, if any existed,
was ever allowed to come between them aud
his nobility. His integrity Yves spotless, bis
6rmness ss solid as the rock-6esis OF the
PENNSYLVANIA mountains. and his abilities
and patriotism were always equal to the
exigencies of the most important occasions.
He was tribune emphatioally of the pee
ole. and great one, too, of cur latterday
American politics, In my judgment.
Educated In the schooi of Thomas Jefer-
SOD, the great apostle of liberty. be believed
that Government derived Its just powers
from the consent OF the governed, and thai
all political powers should be exercised ID
favor of the equal rights and privileges OF
the masses of the people. Mr.. Randall was
not much inclined TO abstract and senti
mental craftsmanship, but more disposed to
regard political measures from O practical
standpoint, and perhaps for this reason at
times got out OF touch with a majority Of
the leaders of the party, especially on one
of the most important questions OF the Gay.
! His great power lay more In action thar
| in the presentation OF glttering generalilieR,
an called, and his ambition was exerted
more to produce results of Importance and
benefit to the people, than to Indulge In the
inferior fields of rhetorical display. It lie
probable that bic early experience in met
camille life, and commercial intercourse With
his fellow men, end the effect of legislative
measures upon the business of the country,
| taught Mr.. Randall the value of practical or
| applied politics, as distinguished from the
theories of the schools, and distractions Of
political economy as laid down in the books.
| Conditions were more potent In confronting
him than theories.
Itmay be that this difference Of political
| thought and action contributed to put him
sufficiently out of line with some of bis
party associates as to have prevented him
| from receiving at their hands The nomina-
/ ton for the highest Office within the gilt OF
the people of the Ucited States, a position
! to which he was 30 well entitled by bis long
and eminent public services.
/ Personal considerations could not swerve Dir.
| Randall hairs breadth from his course II any
defect in Mr.. Ksndals makeup as public man
! and statesman existed it grew out Of his lndlspo'
s'ton to concilste opposition or to yield sught in
the way of compromise in passing upon measures
affecting the pubic interest.
There was nothing precocOus about the growth
of the reputation and ability of MIR Randall. lie
presented clear example of political evolution
His earlier years in Congress. as | unders tand,
| were not marked by any special political slgniil.
canoe hut az the vital measures or constitutional
amendment and of public policy which followed
the close of the civil came up for COMPRESSION
81 consideration the genius of Samuel j. Randall
rose with the occasion. Ho became the acknowl
| edged leader Of his party in the House of Repre-
| sentatves His Subsequent career is 30 recent
and we'll known as to make further allu5ion 10 1t
or comment unnecessary.
His great ability, courage patriot SIN and noel,
ity were universally conceded and known oil all
men, and whom tho summons came Tor hls ilual
departure from earth it was received With mani
festatons of profound national rearet and asso-
cated with all the symbols of public grief and
mourning.
And as 1 accompanied the remains of the dc.
parted statesman to his last resting place in the
be autiful cemetery near PhiadelpJi" and saw inc
great cortege of friends neghbols and constitu-
en- is assembled to do honor to his memory, fslt
that the useful career of this simple unostenta-
tious and true hearted public man was fully ap-
precated where he was best known, and was por,
msnently enshrined in the minds and hearts OF
his countrymen.