 | John Randolph |  |
OPINION AS TO HIS BEST SPEECH.
One of Mr. Randolph's old constituents was once asked
which speech he considered the best. He replied the one he
made at Charlotte court-house, soon after the Virginia convention
of 1829. In this address he spoke of his public service,
and is reported to have used the following language:
"I appear here to take my leave of you for the last time. Now
what shall I say? Twenty-eight years ago you took me by
the hand, when a beardless boy, and handed me to Congress.
I have served you in a public capacity ever since. That I
have committed errors I readily believe, being a descendant
of Adam, and full of bruises and putrifying sores, from the
crown of my head to the soles of my feet. People of Charlotte!
which of you is without sin?"
A voice in the crowd exclaimed, "Gracious God! what
preaching."
| John Randolph | |