The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1913-05-09

4
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
to make practical test Of his powers.
But he took all his life and purpose
with such zest, made every stroke
with so serene self-possession, was
so quick to see and act upon every adj
vantage Ia his business of debate, and
was withal so transparent, bore him
self with such grace and charm OF
manner, was so obviously right-mind
ed and upright, that 1t meant great
deal to the house to hear him inter
vene In Its discussions with his me-
lodious voice, his cool. distinct, eff
fectfve e1ocution.
Robert Carter Nicholas added to
like talents for business and debate a
reverent piety, title to be loved and
trusted without question, which NO
men ever thought to gainsay.
The Loyal Randolph.
And Peyton Randolph, with his
knowledge, temper, experience, judg-
ment, integrity" as of 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
widdie's day, though he was the kings
| attorney, and had lost his Office for his
holiness. 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 majesty's
attorney in the colony Pride and 10y
atty had gone hand In hand in the an
nails of proud race, and had won for
the Randolphs prestige which made
it impossible Sir Johns son should
very long be kept from the office he
had so honorably inherited. And sc
Peyton Randolph was now once again
the kings attorney.
1t was not as the kings officer. how
ever, but as an experienced parliamen
tary tactician, trained debater, /;
sound man Of affairs. that he had Sc
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 mer
find i'll to bear. They cried Treason!
treason!" upon him when he dared de
clare the king would do well to looH
to the fate OF Caesar and Charles I
for profitable examples.
But he was not 'daunted whit I'll
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 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 mon could
lend by vote and homely utterance.
The vote was very close, but enough
Randolph flung out of the house, NUT,
tering in his heat that he would have
given five hundred guineas for a sin,
gle vote.
Not inflated by His Triumph.
II Henry, taking the triumph very sim.
ply, as was his won't, and knowing his
work for the session done, quietly
made his way homeward that very
day, striding unconcernedly down
Duke Of Gloucester street, chatting
with a friend, his legs clad in buck
skin as il for the frontier, his saddle.
bags and the reins of his lean nag
slung carelessly over his arm.
The assembly had adopted Henry's
declaration Of rights, not his resolu.
tion of disobedience. and had softened
a little the language he would have
used: but its action seemed seditious
enough to Fauquier, the governor. and
he promptly dissolved them.
1t did little good to send Virginians
home, however. If the object was to
check agitation. The whole manner OF
their life bred thought and concert Of
action. Where men have leave to be
individual, live separately and with Q
4 proud self-respect. and yet are much
at each others tables. often In, vestry
council together, constantly coming
and going. talking and planning
throughout all the country side, ac
customed to form their opinions In
league. and yet express each man his
y own with dash and flavor of indie
n,sndence; where there is the leisure
4 to Fefect. the habit Of joint efforts in
businEss. the spirit to be social, and
abundant opportunity to be franz
wlthaI. M you wiiI-you may look tc
see pubIi6 views form themselves very
confdentIM, and as easily without as
semblies "A with them.
washlncssen : silent Observer.
washington had taken no part IL
the stormy seenAg Of the house. but has
sat calmly apart rther, concerned and
thoughtful
! ~ vv.s - 1919 Tcaught by the ex