Home Reminiscences of John Randolph; Of Roanoke (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1878. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... APPENDIX. SPEECH ON RETRENCHMENT AND REFORM. S we proposed to publish a volume of Home Reminis- cences, it could not be expected that we should swell our pages with the numerous speeches made by Mr. Randolph while he was in Congress. We have selected one as a specimen of his style of composition, and as a literary curiosity--the one on Retrenchment and Reform, delivered in February, 1828, in answer to Mr. Everett of Massachusetts. It was carefully revised by its author, dedicated to his constituents, and published in pamphlet form. The reader will remember that the Presidential election of 1824 resulted in the return of Crawford, Jackson and Adams to the House; no choice having been made by the people. Mr. Adams was elected through the influence of Mr. Clay. Mr. Randolph was the leader of the opposition party, and his speech on Retrenchment and Reform was a blow at the administration. Mr. Randolph rose and said: I cannot make the promise which the gentleman who has just taken his seat (Mr. Everett) made at the outset of his address, but I will make a promise of a different nature, and one which I trust it will be in my power to perform--I shall not say with more good faith than the gentleman from Massachusetts, but more to the letter--ay, sir, and more to the spirit too. I shall not, as the gentleman said he would do, act in mere self-defence. I shall carry the war into Africa. Delenda est Carthago I shall not be content with merely parrying; no, sir, if I can, so help me God, I will thrust also, because my right arm is nerved by the cause of the people and of my country. I listened to the gentleman with pleasure--I mean to the general course of his remarks, with a single exception, and to that part of his speech I listened with the utmost loathing and...