Unique in the annals of American political history, John Randolph (1773-1833) was a congressman and statesman who became a leader of the political opposition, first to Jeffersonians, later to Federalists. Randolph was, Kirk writes, "devoted to states rights, the agricultural interest, economy in government, and freedom from foreign entanglements." Perhaps the quintessence of Randolph's eminently American credo is found in his famous declaration, "I love liberty; therefore I hate equality!"