The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1913-04-25

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breach or the Gecorous traditions OF
the place. But the men chiefly to be
feared were on the floor.
There was Richard Bland, wary
old. experienced, with something OF
the look" Virginian wit said, 'of old
musty parchments, which he handleth
and studieth much" author of a
treatise against the Quakers on
water-baptism; with none of the gifts
OF an orator, but a veritable antiquar-
ian in law and the precedents of pub
lie business, very formidable man in
counsel Quiet men trusted him, and
thought his prudence very wise
George Wythe was no less learned,
and no less influential. Men knew him
a man of letters, bringing the knowl-
edge of many wise books to the prac-
tice of affairs, and set great store by
his sincerity, as artless as it was hui
man, and sweetened with good feeling.
The Elder Orators.
1t made Randolph and Pendleton
and Nicholas, the elder orators of the
house, seem the more redoubtable that
they should have such men as these
at their elbows to prompt and steady
them. And yet they would have been
formidable enough of themselves.
Edmund Pendleton had not, indeed,
the blood or the breeding that gave
his colleagues prestige. He had won
his way to leadership by his own
steady genius for affairs. He read
nothing but law books, knew nothing
but business, cared for nothing but
to make practical test of his powers.
But he took all his life and purpose
with. such zest, made every stroke
with so serene a self-pOssessio was
so quick to see and act upon every ad-
vantage in his business of debate, and
was withal so transparent, bore him
self with such a grace and charm of
manner, was so obviously right-mind-
ed and upright, that it meant a great
deal to the house to hear him inter-
vene in its discussions with his me-
lodious voice, his cool, distinct, eff
fectiye elooution.
Robert Carter Nicholas added to
like talents for business and debate a
reverent piety, a title to be loved and
trusted without question, which no
men ever thought to gainsay.
The Loyal Randolph.
And Peyton Randolph, with his
fIynn loo
ment, integrity as of a true Roman
spirit, was a sort of prince among the
rest. No man could doubt he wished
Virginia to have her liberties He had
gone over sea to speak for her in Din
widdies day, though he was the kings
attorney, and had lost his Office for his
boIdness. But there were traditions of
loyalty and service in his breeding
which no man might rightly ignore.
His father before him had won
knighthood and the royal favor by long
and honorable service as his majestys
attorney in the colony. Pride and 10y
atty had gone hand in hand in the an
nails OF a proud race, and had won for
the Randolphs a prestige which made
it impossible Sir Johns son should
very long be kept from the Office he
had so honorably inherited. And so
Peyton Randolph was now once again
the kings attorney.
1t was not as the kings officer, how
ever, but as an experienced parliament
tary tactician, a trained debater, a
sound man of affairs, that he had set
himself to check Henry in his revolu-
tionary courses.
Accused of Treason.
Henry found himself, in truth, pas
sionately set upon Even threats were
uttered, and abuse such as proud men
find i'll to bear. They cried Treason!
trsason!" upon him when he dared de-
clare the king would do well to look
to the fate of Caesar and Charles /.
for profitable examples.
But he was not daunted whit. IF
this be treason, make the most of it, .
was his defiance to them
One ally who might have stood with
him, had he known, was absent. Rich
ard Henry Lee would have brought to
his support a name as ancient and as
honorable as any of the colony, and
an eloquence scarcely less than his
own. But, as it was, he was left al
most alone, and won his battle with
no other aid than very plain men could
lend by vote and homely utterance,