The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1913-06-10


the evil day when so many were fee
ing England to be quit of the Puritan
tyranny-royalists all, and touched to
the quick with the sentiment of 10y
atty.
Twas now long long time since
CromwelRs day, indeed; generations
had passed, and deep passion for
Virginia had been added to that old
reverence for the wearer of the crown
in England. But these men prided
themselves still upon their loyalty,
made 1t point of honor to show
themselves no agitators, but constitu,
tional statesmen.
It made them grave and deeply anx-
ious to see the privileges that we're
most dear to them thus violated and
denied, but it did not make them hasty
to quarrel with the parliament of the
realm. They had intended opposition,
but they feared to throw their cause
away by defiance. Twas as little wise
as dignified. to hout thus at the sover-
eign power before all means had been
exhausted to win it to forbearance.
ne speaker OF Ine fJOuSc.
It was not the least part of the diff
Guilty to face the veterans speaker, John
Robinson, so old in affairs, so stately
in his age, so gravely courteous, and
yet with such a threat of good man.
ners against those who should make
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 lambeth
and studieth much,' author of a
treatise against the Quakers on
water-baptism;" with none of the gifts
of an orator, but veritable antiquar-
ian in law and the presidents 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
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 a zest, made every stroke
with so serene possession, 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-Inind-
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, ef-
fective elocution.
Robert Carter Nicholas added to
like talents for business and debate q
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 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
widdie's day, though he was the kings
attorney, and had lost his office for his
Doldness. 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 a 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 SO
Peyton Randolph was now once again
the kings attorney.
It was not as the kings officer, how.
ever, but as an experienced parliament
tary tactician, trained debater, a
sound man of affairs, that he had set
himself to check Henry in his reyoiu'
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 L
! for profitable examples
But he was not daunted whit. III
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