 | John Randolph |  |
RANDOLPH AND HIS OPPONENT.
About this time our difficulties with England had greatly
increased—war became probable; the administration
resorted to measures of restriction upon commerce, such
as embargo and non-intercourse laws. On these measures
Mr. Randolph took strong grounds against the administration.
The consequence was, that at the next congressional
election he was opposed by John W. Eppes, who
was the son-in-law of Thomas Jefferson.
In due time the election came on. Mr. Eppes brought
with him from Washington what was called a cart-load of
authorities, laid the books on the stile in front of the
court-house—large tomes of documents, such as had never
been seen by the natives. There was an immense
crowd present. Natives and foreigners from all the surrounding
and adjoining counties came to hear Mr. Randolph
speak and to see the son-in-law of Thomas Jefferson.
Eppes led off from the stile, knee-deep in books and
documents. He was rather a dull speaker—read too
much, and fatigued the people. Mr. Randolph in reply
remarked that "the gentleman is a very good reader."
His wit and humor soon caused interruption by some of
Gideon Spencer was the first who interrupted him.
High words ensued; the excitement was beyond anything
I ever witnessed; the crowd seemed to apprehend
a collision of parties. Some friend of Mr. Randolph hallooed
out, "Stand firm and keep cool," or something to
that effect. Then we have the reply of Mr. Randolph
which has been so often repeated that it has become stale,
"I am as cool as the centre seed of the cucumber."
Mr. Randolph remained on the court-yard for some
time after the speaking was over. The excitement was
even greater than before. Mr. Randolph at that time
had an overseer by the name of P., a large, rough, rawboned
man, head and shoulders above the crowd.
This man P., with a large horseman's whip in his
hand, held in a threatening attitude, followed Mr. Randolgh
through the crowd, which was waving to and fro,
insisting that Mr. Randolph would be attacked and that
he should be protected; while Randolph, on his part, directed
P. to keep quiet. The day, however, passed without
disturbance.—W. B. Green.
| John Randolph | |