passing events say how far these predictions have reached their fulfillment.

Mr. Randolph reminded his hearers, that during a long life in Congress he had often been taunted with"You never propose anything!" "You are always trying to tear down other men's work!" Pausing a moment with that long finger pointing back from the top of his forehead, he said:

“True, and I regard it as the brightest feather in my cap. My whole aim has been to prevent, not to promote, legislation. Litigation would then be rarer, and our troubles would almost cease!" He said that it was with pain and misgivings that he beheld the tendency throughout the country to excessive legislation, and called attention to the prediction he would then hazard, that if the country should ever be destroyed, it would be by "excessive legislation."

He next gave an outline of his course in Congress, his opposition to the tariff and to the United States Bank ; said there was no warrant in the Constitution for any such institution as the latter; that ours was intended for a "hard money" government; that he had it from many of the fathers of the constitution; that he had lived in their day and was familiar with then sentiments on that subject. He said that he would be the veriest dunce on earth if he were unacquainted with the fundamental principles of government, for he had grown up and become familiar with many of the leading men of Virginia, who had assisted in the conception and election of the mighty political fabric under which we lived, and enjoyed all the

blessings of a free and happy people. Said he, " mind, gentlemen, how you touch it; how you set about with innovation. Once gone, you may never restore it. Revolutions never go back, but on and on they roll; no returning tide brings repose; no bow of promise spans their dark horizon. On and on they go, until all is swallowed up in the abyss of anarchy and ruin ! ”

During the long and entertaining speech, every man of both races, seemed bound to the earth on which he stood; not one moved."

The Convention, however, was called; Mr. Randolph was elected to it, served with characteristic fidelity, and returned to Halifax in 1829, to give an account of his stewardship. By his arduous labors in that body, his health had suffered greatly; he was too feeble to speak out of doors, and the county court, then in session, tendered him the court house, which he gratefully accepted. As he moved up to the bench, it was apparent to every one, that he lacked physical ability to entertain the people as he had done on the previous occasion. Taking his stand on the county court bench, and supporting himself with one hand on the railing, and the other on his cane, he began by returning his thanks in a polite and graceful manner, to the worshipful court for their kindness in surrendering their business to accommodate one who needed so much their consideration. He told them it must be plain to all, that it was the last speech he should ever make in Halifax. He gave a succinct statement of all the various alterations (he would not call them amendments)

promised to the Constitution, and advised the people to vote against them.

He then showed what he called a trick of the Convention, in submitting the ratification or rejection of the proposed alterations to the vote of the people. "Who called the Convention?" he asked. "The freeholders! Who had the right to say whether the work was done according to their wishes, but those who ordered it? No one! The non freeholders, according to all the rules of legitimate induction, had no more right to vote on that question, than the people of Hayti!"

Mr. Randolph was in many respects a great man. As a statesman he had great sagacity and discernment. As a philosopher and student of history he stood in the foremost ranks, while as an orator, he would compare with any that the nineteenth century has produced.

His voice was uncommonly shrill, but was of that soft, flute-like character that always elicited admiration; and feeble as he was for nearly his whole life, he could always modulate it as to make every member of the largest assemblies distinctly hear every word that he uttered, and that without the least strain on his vocal or respiratory organs.

Mr. Randolph was, however, deficient in some qualities which constitute a statesman. One cardinal defect and error with him, was, the belief that man is governed more by fear than love. A maxim which all bad men adopt, and which all good men repudiate. He was also deficient in self-knowledge; consequently in knowledge of others. He had no fixed principles; consequently

he had no political system. But government itself is a system, and can be successfully adminstered only when thus viewed.

Mr. Randolph was also deficient in genuine philanthropy; when he became aware that in the course of nature he could not much longer enjoy the benefits of the labor of his slaves, professing a desire to improve their condition, to put them in the way of advancement, by making them free he directed in his will, that they should be removed to Ohio. The real motive to this direction was a desire to prevent others from having that benefit from their unrequited services, which he had enjoyed, when it was no longer in his reach. The result of his course in this matter was, that being wholly unprepared for freedom, unable to care properly for themselves, many of them became vagabonds, and even criminals; and thus his pretended act of kindness was really one of selfishness and cruelty.

Chapter Eight.

HENRY CLAY.

HE man who leaves his impress on a great nation,

and imparts character to the age in which he lives, not only merits the regard of contemporaries, but will be a study for future generations. That Henry Clay occupies this position in the social state of mankind, by a consideration of the past, and in the prospects of the future, will scarcely be questioned. His name, character and history are identified with the history of his country, and the student who makes himself acquainted with his life, private, professional, and public, will not be ignorant of the standing and career of the United States of North America, as one of the family of nations. Henry Clay