The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-12-25
Tit Bits Of Biogr.phy-Mr. Richie and Mr..
Rives.

Our respected contemporaries of the Globe
and Union are giving to the world series OF
articles, of considerable biographical and auto
biographical interest, in connexion with the
history Of their respective journals. Though
these papers are too long for the general reader,
we have run through them with the view of
selecting some little matters that may instruct
and amuse the politician and man Of letters.
1t is a source of serious infeicity to us that
there should be such unpleasant dlssensions, as
this controversy indicates, between Mr.. RvEs
and Mr.. RICHIE.
The first material avement in Mr.. RITcHIE's
last communication is, that there is nothing in
the history of the origin of the Washington
Union of which he has cause to be ASHAMED"
Lest the world might not be satisfied with
single statement 10 this effect, Mr.. Richie
repeats it more emphatically, thus: "There is
no transaction Of our life of which we have
less cause to be ashamed" This is satisfac-
tory as far ii goes; but when we remember
that our contemporary made the same solemn
asseveration with regard to his ''full and free
conversation" with Mr.. WILLIAM J. Bows,
in reference To the Speakership, we think
that there must be something behind this
matter that we do not understand. The i'm
preston seems Ia be strong on the writer's
mind that there was something in the origin of
the Union of which he ought TO be ashamed, or
he would hardly deem it necessary to repel the
idea Of shame" 50 repeatedly and emphatical-
ly. Some men are not ashamed of any thing.
We shall now proceed to Gull from the pa
pers before us such incidents as possess a pic
turesque and historical interest.
!. Mr. Richie, account Of the origin Of the
Union.
1.-THE time may come when shall tell the
whole history OF the origin Of the Washington
Union There IL nothing in il Of which we are
ashamed We refused 10 come 10 Washington
10 conduct the official paper of General jackson q
administration We declined the first overtures
which were made to in December. l544, 70
remove to Washington, on the advent Of Mr..
Polk's administration. The overtures were thrice
repeated before we consented TO visit Wsshing
Ton; and we aver, in all the solemnity Of truth
that, when We fret placed foot the whar
at Washington, anriously hoped that some
thing might turn out 10 prevent removal
from Richmond With the same sincerity We
now declare that, If the Democracy desire any
change, (and there il want Of champions u
vindicate their principles,) shall most cheer
fully resign post TO some younger and better
soldier"
Z. Mr.. Rives's account Of The same.
"The origin Of the Washington Union was a
follows. Th,mss Richie came 20 this city IN tn
last days of March, dnno Domini ls45. He say
he Sss invited three tunes before he consented =
come
"Mr. Richie arrived in this city IN ,be evening
and a few hours afterwards leftit for Albany, New
York, to get Mr. Wright consont that Mr.. Blai
and myself might sell the Globe establishment.
preferred Mr.. Wright for President to any maj
living and would not have sold my interest in tn
GLOBE without his consent lie gave his consent a
once I then said 10 him: Mr. Wright, II tn
COB, is cold IL IL probable that tbose Who success
Mr. Blair and myself will not support you for tn
Presidency lie replied that he did not desire :
be President Of the United States, and did not wan
sny paper to support him for that Office. and CAV
his reasons verbally.
81 Vas not gone from this city lOngcr than TIRE
Or four days when ! returned, Mr. Blair II