Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1897-12-23
MISCELLANEOUS.
JOHN RANDOLPH.
INTERESTING FACTS CONNECTED
WITH THE VIRGINIA
STATESMAN.

Among the picturesque public
characters that illume the pages of
our country's history perhaps none
stands out more clearly conspicuous
than does the illustrious John Ran
polph of Roanoke.
historians recognize ard represent
him as the typical Virginia states
man, and writer's on the subject of
political economy have, ever since
his time, conceded the famous son of
the Old Dominion to be one of the
most remarkable and talented char.
acters America has ever produced.
In the shadow of great oaks he
sleeps in beautiful Hollywood be-
meath a mound that is kept green the
year round. A plain marble slab,
bearing simple inscription, meas
ures the length of the mound. In
the spring and summer months, and
until the chilling blasts of winter,
withering all vegetation, sweep the
glades and dellS and knOlls of the
cemetery, a profusion of flowers, fra
grant as the memory of the honored
dead, blossom about the SPOT that
marks his resting place.
There are many anecdotes told and
printed of the eccentricity, the pow
er Of carcasm, and the wonderful elo-
quence of the man who was proba-
bly, tho most unique figure Of the
current century.
CONG SENATOR, DIPLO.
MAT.
For more than thirty years Ran
dolph was constantly in public life,
serving as congressman, senator, and
Minister to Russia, during which
time he was called the political me-
teor of his day and attracted the at
tention of the public in way that
no other man ever did. He was
known by many, but comprehended
by none; his brilliancy was equalled
only by his eccentricity and his
mirth mingled with q sadness not
untouched by bitterness. His whole
life was tingled with that morbid
unhappiness and love of solitude
which characterized his later years.
He believed himself to be the child
of destiny and would often assert in
tones Of great anguish that he felt
"the curse" " cleaving to him.
In his early youth Randolph &C.
quired broad knowledge of politics
and wide familiarity with the lead
ing politicians of the country. This
knowledge served him in 1899, when
he found himself elected to Congress.
During the ensuing fourteen years
he became the most prominent figure
in the congressional body. Crowds
Hooked to the House whenever it was
announced that he would speak, and
a lasting Impression was made upon
all who listened to the words
of the tall, gaunt man, with
dard eyes flashing, and sallow face
lighted up by his wonderful elo-
quence. He emphasized. with a
long bony forefinger, some of the
most emitting barbs of irony and car
casm that ever fell from mortal lips.
Sometimes, but not with frequence,
he made use of his power of pathOs
and swayed the emotions Of his au.
dience even as reeds are swayed by
the wind.
RETIREMENT TO ROANOKE.
In 1918 Rondolph retired temper
arily from the excitement of public
life and returned to his estate on the
Staunton river, the celebrated Roam
oke, which is never separated from
the mention Of his name.
Here he dwelt alone, save for his
slaves, In house built Of logs. 1t
would be difficult, indeed, to dis
cover a more lonely spot, where, day
after day, not sound was heard but
the rustling and signing of the wind
through the trees. He never per.
mitted g twig to be cut on the place,
and the dense underground and un-
pruned trees seemed to form a fit
ing retreat for the wild nature of
this descendant of Pocahontas.
Humble as his dwelling place was in
appearance, it contained some fine
paintings and engravings, and a
magnificent library of more than a
thousand volumes, most of which he
had imported from England. Many
of these books were rare editions,
beautifully bound, and in numbers
Of them were marginal notes, evil
dencing profound thought and re-
search.
A conservative by nature, Ran
doIph adhered strictly 10 the tradi-
tions of his ancestors. He travelled
in coach and four long years after
others had abandoned that clumsy
mode of locomotiOn. In his dress he
clung To the fashions Of the past to