The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-12-03
JOHN RANDoLPH.

Editor Pensacola Journal:
Would it be strange, Mr.. Editor,
If John Randolph, Of Roanoke. did
make the remark that Florida was a
land of swamps, frogs and alligat-
orS," etc., attributed to him in con-
gress. November, 1885, for he died of
consumption in Philadelphia, May "a,
1888.
John Randolph was one of the most
eccentric statesmen that this country
has produced / find in Mr.. Madison
letters he writes that John Randolph
was strong American in his senti-
ments. When the Bill for chartering
the Bank of the United States was
before congress Mr.. Randolph moved
to add the word native in the clause
which limited the choice OF directors
to citizens Of the United States" Con-
1nuing his remarks. che inveighed
with much acrimony against the whole
class of naturalized citizens, attribut-
ing TO them the declaration of war and
almost all other political evils, main
tanning that they ought to be admit
ted only as Jienizens. without any par
ticipation in the councils of the coun-
try, and The benefit only of protection
during good behavior"
Elsewhere find that he was strong
ly opposed to the constitution Of the
United States, that he could not bear
to hear Washington take the oath TO
support it. The championship of state
rights was carried by him to an ex-
treme, inasmuch as ne MOI only as
serted the constitutional right of vir-
ginia to interpose her protest against
the usurpation of power at Washing
ton, but claimed that the protest
should be supported by force.
N hn INF III mi
to Russia. His death bed was sad
and full of pathos. He thought he
Was dying for years before he did.
and when he. was asked how he was,
or how he felt, he would reply by
ing, dying, dying"
He was tyrannical and dictatorial
until the last, and he fought vita his
doctor on his deathbed over the pro-
nunciation of certain words. a short
time before he died the doctor. want
ed to leave him. but Randolph OBJ
jected. and his slave TOOK tae kew,
locked the door. putting the.-key in
his pocket With his last word he
declared that he wanted his slaves
freed. and he kept the doctor there as
a witness TO his dying declaration
Always skeptic through life, he9ap-
preeiated his condition wnen on his
death bed. and among his last words
was ''remorse-" He WIS lying per
fectly still and quiet with his eyes
closed, when he suddenly reused
up and screamed out in agitated voice
'.Remorse, remorse, renorse," He
then cried OUT, Let me see the word;
get dictionary; let me see the
word There being no dictionary on
hand and he was told so, he exclain-
ed. Write it then; let me see the
word"
The doctor picking up one of his
cards, labeled, Randolph Of Roanoke
said:
Shall ] write it on this?''
Eyes, nothing more proper" said
Randolph The word .remorse" was
written with pensil and handed t.
him. He looked at it moment. then
said, Write it on the back" which
was done, and again handed to him
He gazed at it with his blazing eyes.
"Remorse!" he said. "You can have
no idea of 1t, whatever; it has brought
me to my present situation. but have
looked to Jesus Christ and hope to
obtain pardon" He then told his
doctor to draw line under the word
and to keep the card. In less than
two hours John Randolph was dead
WM. II. TRIMMER
Molino, Fla, Nov, so. 1903.