Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-03-18
THE TIMES, TERMS.

Sale of The Union and Retirement of Mr.. Richie.
The Washington Union, Of Saturday last, con-
tains the following announcement:
Having purchased the Washington Union take the |
liberty of announcing to its readers and to the public
that shall take possession of il the 18th of Anril
next by which period will arrange my private affairs
that they will not interfere with my duties as editor
Gen Robert Armstrong OF Tennessee viii be associat
ed with me as equal proprietor OF the establishment
10 becoming the purchaser of this paper fear that
assume task as lis editor, greatly mucb for nv
poor abilities; but could not decline it, pressed upon
me- as 1t has BEEN by the friends of the democratic
party, and constrained Mr. Richie conceves him
self to be- TO retire from the press. cannot attermy-
self that can bring TO this service power equal to
that OF the veteran whom succeed; but hope by nv
industry and zeal, dsappont altogether the homes
of those to whose connses have Welded
1t is intended on this occasion to say more than
has been made by Mr. Richie of the paper he has so
long and so ably conducted and which has been de-
voted with much zeal to the cause of democra-
cy When placed in possession of the establishment
Shall state at length the general principles which will
control its political action. These principles will l hope
have tendency to promote the union OF all good repub-
leans and heal those divisions which have threaten
ed not only their party organization but the peace and
harmony OF the whole country. In the mean tne l
throw myself upon the indulgence of the great repub
lcan and democratic party for the support which may
be due to who promise so little to Justify the
confidence which has been given him in advance,
A J. DONELSON.
To this card Mr.. Richie appends a statement
of which we copy all that possesses particular in
terest for readers:
The above card from the pen of Major Donelson, an
nounces fact which cannot be undressing to many
OF the readers OF the Unioa. retire from the political
press OF my country at the end OF t0rtu.seren gears
1repeat was willing to remain at my post, though
was mere willing to retire But in fact the last has be-
come the only alternative which was left to me Con-
gress have thrown an immense quantity of work upon
my hands even in the expiring days of its last session.
although attempted to persuade them to assign the
printing on handst another office, had really no con-
eepton OF the quantity until had looked into the bud
get since their adjournment Already plunged into
debt by an unfortunate conract-though indebted to
the most liberal creditors whom man could have |
could not command means enough consistently with
my previous Obligations TO carry on both the newspa
per and the public printing. Obliged by my contract
10 execute the work in spite of all denial of relief had
toyleid the paper, or comply with my contract have
done the former TO this course. also have been de-
hberaelY advised by the eminent political and personal
friends whom have consulted on an occasion interest
ing to myself. interesting 10 my partv and dare 10 be-
eve interesting to my country; but, fortunately for me-
nave been able to obtain successor who is worthy OF
The confidence OF our party and OF his country
A. J. Donelson is not stranger or obscure man in
tins country With the prestige of General Jackssns
administration around him-the man whom Mr. Polk |
had selected to be his in the of our not COM
ing to Westinghouse conducting with great ability the
annexation OF Texas-the selected minister to Berlia-
and thus covered, too, with the prestige of Mr. Folks
name-a statesman of much experience of tact and of
talent-oi great equanimty and frmness of character
saunch republican 10 his principles devoted friend
OF the Rights OF the States and the Union of the States
where could seek worhier successor! II A. j.
Donelson does not please the democratic party who
can as the editor of the democratic organ in ashng
ton! With SUCH a man, would have been willing to
sell my establishment much lower terms than to
nan whose longer purse had not the confidence of
the country.
shall yield the helm, therefore cheertuy into his
hands When The time comes for surrendering INV pa
per TO his guidance shall address. my coun-
IyYnpn md h,,1to IL
anxlonsy think OF the condition and prospects of my
psl0yed country. THOMAS RICHIE.
WASHINGTON, March Is, 1851.
Our own knowledge of Mr. Donelson's quali6-
cations for the responsible position he is about to
assume, is derived chiefly from very thorough
study, two or three years ago, of his diplomatic
correspondence with the Government of Texas.
which resulted in the annexation of that Republic
to the United States. He was the "midnioht
messenger" as Mr.. Benton called him. whom
Tyler appointed and despatched, in the expiring
hours OF his administration, 10 execute the annex
alton resolutions of Congress. His negotiations
were distinguished by much tact and address
though it must be confessed he was not wooinp
very reluctant maid. They furnished us, we
well remember, conclusive answer to Mr. Folks
pretence that the annexation committed the honor
OF the United States to the maintenance of the
Rio Grande as the boundary of Texas :or it was
made to appear that before the assent of Texas
was given 10 our proposition, this very matter was
the subject of formal discussion between the con-
tracing parties, and Mr.. Donelson distinctly in
formed the Texas Secretary of State that the
United States Government reserved to itself the
right to determine the boundary question.
MI Doheisen' hope, that his advocacy of ssthe
cause OF Democracy" will tend to heal sectional
divisions, is built upon very slender founda-
tons. That cause marshals under its hammers
men of every shade of opinion on the slavery cues
ton: Southern Compromise men like Mr.. Ritchie |
contemporaries but acquiesing men like Mr. |
Meade, Mr.. Bocock, &c.; outright Secessonists |
like Mr.. Rheti; agitators, but OF altogether Sc
cessionists like Jefferson Davis and Mr.. Mason. |
Northern Compromise men like Gen. Cass and Mr.. |
Dlcknson anti-Compromise Northern men, but
not avowed Aboitionists, like John Wentworth
and Isaac p. Walker; ard full booded Free soil
ers, like John Van Buren,, David Wilmot, Charles
Sumner, &c.
now Is 1t possible for these heterogeneous ma
terials TO be moulded into one harmonious whole?
1et II Is obvious that unless this combination can
be effected the cause of Democracy" cannot
he successfully upheld, Now we fully concede
that the Wing cause is embarrassed by similar,
though by no means equal, difficulties. If the two
Old parties be kept up, each must expect to lose
considerable portion OF its forces in the NORTH
Bot the Wings have this great advantage, that
they have an administration which is admitted on
all hands TO be just exponent of the constitution
al Union sentiment. A Democratic opposition,
sustained on the national principles which MIR.
Doneson proposes 10 defend, must necessarily be