Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-03-25
From the Ne,o York Express.
A TRIP TO RlCHMOND-OLD yIR.
GINA.
BY THE EDITOR.

BY THE EDITOR.
On Sunday evening Of a bright day, tho
traveller who comes into Richmond from tl,,
East on the Rail Road line, will see little Of
nothing by the way-side but cloud of dar
ies--thick-lipped, pearly-teethed, well clad
chattering, happy darkies.--"Arc there none
but black people here 7" "Has there beer
an insurrection 2" care the whites all Gu,
OH - said new, fresh, green eompagnon d,
royage-tor only darkness met our eyes, this
Sunday being the gala ofthe darkies, VIII,
throng the streets with open mouths; whereas
the whites within doors have outward an arts
tocratic Sabbath.-The whole city, that is, al
the blacks within it, seemed turned out C
welcome III the passengers Of the Rail ROAD
cars. The sudden change that steam thus
brings nowadays from the white faces of tho
North to the numerous black ones of the
South, ilnpresses one more forcibly than ever,
because 1t comes upon one so quick.
THE 22ND OF FEBRUARY.
Virginia has been fortunate, indeed, in he,
great men. 1t is glory enough to have pro.
duccd Washington and felt myself for
tunate In being at the Capitol on this the ami
versary OF the birth day Of the father of his
country. The Legislature paid the day the
respect OF an adjournment over. The shops
In the afternoon were generally closed. There
was common cessation from business, and a
generai iestlvity, perhaps quickened by the
presence OF Gen. Harrison, and the ceremony
OF presenting nine swords to officers of the
Army and Navy who distinguished them
selves in the late war.
GOV. GILMER OF VIRGINIA.
The presiding genius of the 22d, in the pre-
sentatlon OF the swords, and in other ceremo-
MES, was MIR. Gilmer, the Governor of the
state, who Is chosen for three years by the
Legislature, and furnished with an elegant
mansion. In beautiful situation, and we'll
enough furnshed-with good salary also
ADDED thereunto, so that he can live like a
gentleman. Gov. Gilnier is but quite Young
man yet. have seen but one annual mes
sage from Governor of Virginia since have
como upon the stage of observation, any way
national, or in many ways useful, and that
was the most excellent and able Message of
Gov. Gilmer at the opening of the Legislature
OF Virginia this year. 1t indicated points of
character which, if he lives up to, will make
MN anon one OF the first, if not the first, man
In Virginia, for it mingled with enthusiasm
and eloquence the practical and rational wis
dom OF school not over-common among the
men where he has been reared. In his con-
troversy, too, with Governor Seward on the
fugltlves from justice, it seems to me also he
managed his case with great ability perhaps,
1t may be, because think him RIGHT and G ov.
Seward wrong. His speech, however, this,
the 22d, upon the presentation of the swords,
was all flourish, in not the best taste even
OF the Sophomore school class, not original,
not weighty, not grand enough for the occa-
sion. "Storied urn" and ssanlmated busts''
are for the school boys and the Albcmarle
mountains. Men nowadays must talk and
write as if they MEANT something. Power of
speech now lies in condensation, not amplifi-
cation. Beauty of style is but secondary to
force of expression.
THOMAS RICHIE OF THE ENQUIRER.
met this man, whom have long consi-
dered one OF the most extraordinary men in
virginia, Tor the second or third time in nv
LIE; but now for the first time in the social
circle, with determination, however, to A.
VOID personal introduction, though often SO.
llclted by my friends, because / wanted to he
now untrammelled in what consider ms,
sketch OF him as public character. When
one knows men, one often cannot speak what
one thinks. lconsider then Mr.. Richie one o,
the ablest Editors in this, or any other country.
lie has ylvacity, tact, the power of comman.
ding attention, something of self respect
much of dignity, and above all, perseyerino
unremitting industry. He is but bow will
his pen, though over GO, probably 65, wears
OF age. '"There is old Tom is the remark
whenever lie appears in public. "Old Tom
aOho!" says j. "Old Tom Ritchie-Don'l
you know old Tom Ritchie?" "Old Tom ,,
then, as they call him, is relic of old Vir.
ginia. cod Tom has mingled for fifty
years in the best circles in Virginia, amono
her ablest men, and old Tom is an "Old Nor.
tality;" the spare, lean, lank, embodiment OF
fifty-years-ago, Virginian. sold Tom is a
gaunt, hungry-looking gentleman, his teeth
gone, his nose prominent, his eye bright, of a
quick, risky, temulous gait, nervous some
but nerves OF cat-gut though, that will nevo,
wear out,-a man that won't die, but thai
VIII blow OFT insome windy ay,-who dom,
belong now, and has not belonged for half :
century, to this earth of ours, but whom Hea
ven, for some unknown purpose, has, as i
were, Kept as spectre, fitting over othe
peoples graves,-the bone and muscle mari
OF what things and men were in 1890. "Olt
iom mas no blood In his veins. dare say
though have not asked, he is never i'll. Hi
soul-and bright soul it is-does what mo
ton is nhim. His bones and muscles carr,
that about. / doubt whether hin woul,
PRICK HIM more than Salem Witch. II
short sold Tom" died fifty years ago, all OK
cept his spirit, in which he differs from al
other neil ever saw,-for other people'
spirits &c, OIL first, and then their body die
afterwards.
TO be understood though in this drawing @
the bones and muscles Of sold Tom mus
follow 1t out with some sketches of his cha,
a s lie works like dog yet. don't be
lieve he ever sweats-[perspires might say
even under hot Virginia sun. He frisk
about In society with his white silk gloves OF
hiding his long fngers,-I dare say, as spir
ted, as lively as a girl Of l6. He takes Sc;
at the Clerks desk in the Capitol, writes
little, and chatters much, clearly the obser,
ed of all observers. There he gives orde
TO his partisans, consults, and is consulte