The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-06-17

oter and fall; for the enlightenment such press dif
all that the oppressed need them in
sanoe 70 tyranny The press is The great power that
lmpes the spri. of proge.s--tha, spirit when has &c
outed ior us an ocean-boand republics which has made
me wilderness blossom the /" which has dotted
Tue land with churches and with school houses; which
mas reared up cities, and towns, and villages as If by
magic which has spread net work of railroads across
our widespread domain which has linked distant points
Osehtr with magnetic wires, communicating thought
win the rapidly OF lightning which has crowned US
WIN power and dignity, and glory nation. and given
US passport TO The respect and admiration Of the world
The press in your hands, sir, such an engine OF
power The people OF this confeieacy from the great
lakes on the North 10 The great gulf on the South
from The Atlantic seaboard to the base of the Rocky
edge The fact
In conclusion, sir permit TO solicit your acceptance
OF inns memenio oil our regard Though the gift be hum
Die, an sure will be the less treasured by YOU
on that account, Pechance, when YOU gaze upon il in
the quiet OF retirement, il may awaken some pleasing
fecolectlons, while
Fond Memory brings the light
vi other days around you"
And with this grateful offering, sir bear with you to
your beloved home the earnest prayer of each and all of
us, that surrounded by those who dearest to YOU
evening OF your lille, undimned by passing cloud
OF adversely may pass sereney and pleasantly away
Mr.. Ritch,es Reply
GENTLEMEN: | cannot adequately express my deep
sense OF the honor which you have conferred upon
This present itself Of the beautiful produc
tons OF art which Washington has ever seen. The
shape, the OF this pitcher the elegant chasing with
which It Is adorned; the arms Of my native State the
emblems OF the noble profession to which we have be-
onged-everylhng about II is as brilliant in its
ton as 1t is happy in It's conception. am sure all
very much indebted to Messrs M w Gait & Brother for
the style and taste with which il is wrought out Do not
call il, theefore,''a slight memorial or an "humble
Offering" Its richness and its beauty give almost
of magnifcenee TO the work which would make it well
come to any Be assured, sTs, that shall treasure
Of the most precious things possess and that
NIL IN M nI
orable tributes which has ever been conferred upon their
father It's greatest value however arises from the moral
considerations with which IS associated Is because
this beautiful pitcher the sincere Testimonial OF your
regard and esteem that and my family and my friends
will consider it with the poudest satisfaction 1t is the
motive which prompts the offering that stamps the great
est value upon il.
Such compliment would be at all times precious TO
every man OF the least sensibllily. You will find in my
library of its best ornaments in beautiful chair,
made Of the lve-oak of the South and manufactured in
Georgia, with inscription that il was Presented TO
Thomas Richie, Editor of the Richmond Enquirer, by
Georgia. held in Milledgevie, on the LIST Monday in
May, 1871" cannot tell you how highly appreciated
the honor which they paid me- and yet came from gen
tlemen who were strangers to me-who had had little
opportunity of understanding my personal character.
But the present tribute comes from the hands OF those
who have inscribed upon the shield their personal
quainance 1t is very true, what you say gentlemen.
ina, 'he compliment Is more valuable where the ecp-
lent is best known" From whose hands, therefore,
could such tribute be more welcome than from your
daily-and let me add nighay-oppor,uni of form.
ing estimate OF my character. We have been be.
hind the curtain together. You have my incom-
ings and my ouigoings You have seen me in my
moments OF impotence as well as enthusiasm. We
have sat up together very frequently beyond the
wching hour OF midnight and sometimes I'LL the
gray dawn broke in upon our labors Yes, sirs,
| may say il with truth well with compunc-
tion that have asked your zeal and your orbeaIance
and nobly have you borne with my ntmtes, and gene
rously stood by me with all your energies The
indeed,
hearted patient, generous, and obg employees and
when you now come forward OF your own accord. and
some tribute to any little good qualities may happen TO
possess, il is impossible for to give full expression 10
the gratitude ! feel for your Kindness.
up OF wings well as democralsoi those who entertain
the opinions with myself and OF those who differ in
pol,ics with yetyou have all come forward TO offer
this tribute And be assured sirs, You but re-echo
my sentiments when repeat that would rather be
esteemed a than admired as politician.
There seems TO be no circumstance wanting to make
your compliment, complete Nothing could be more del
ica,e than your whole conduct on this OCCASION When
retired from the press you were kind enough TO offer
me supper as a mark OF your esteem You know de-
cned the honor and supposed that the whole object OF
your liberal wishes was at end Little did dream that
abon, TO take this direction. You formed the
plan OF presenting piece OF plate Your design
carefully kept from me The work was almost finished,
indeed before 1t reached my ears, without your know
ledge and consent, The dehcacy with which it
Quoted equal TO the berality OF The motive and the
beauty OF the execution And whom is this offer
made To one who has exchanged the busy theatre Of
politics for the humble shades OF reuement-o him who
has parted with the mimic scepire which the press is
supposed TO put into the editors band-to one who
breaks his staff
BuTes IL certain isthoms in the earth,
And deeper than did ever plummet sound
Now browns his book"
What may be my future destiny is beyond my own
conjectures Whether shall retire to that GLORIOUS old
Commonwealth" as you so Justly call her, or whether
metropolis, where | should leave these two hostages
(aludng 10 hIs daughters who present. OF
my affections among you-whether | shall be able
to retire to my own vine and my own fig tree 10 pass
That | should obtain relief from "a Congress OF
printers" should have no apprehenslons; will
Tor moment question the justice OF our county.
None know well as yourselves how an.iously and
how faithfully | have carried out the contract which
has subjected me 10 severe losses, involved me in
serious debts and threatens TO cloud the remnant of my
days Yet take my word for II, gentlemen, that what
be my lot, shall not prove myself unworthy OF the
friendship with which you have honored me. Time has
not yet extnguisbed all my spirit Those who knew my
perish the victim oil ennu and thai, after the excitement
OF Al years in The most exciting branch oil the public
vice, should sink under the Incidence and inactivity of
private life. But fear me not Fortunately have no
ambition for Office" that last inrmity OF noble mnds
and lei boldly say IT, the besettng sin OF our mos,
disting pushed Let my humble example go for what
IL is worth will attempt to show the ambitious poll
iclan that a may yet be happy in private life who
has books to read the studies OF his early life TO revive,
and who still WELD pen.
have thus been communicative my affairs be-
cause you pleased to take interest But in
other respects your paraliy has betrayed you into
cess You have paid many extravag compliments in
the address which you have made You have been pleased
to associate my humble with those OF Jefferson and
Madson-thai constellation OF illustrious men whose