Democratic banner., 1851-03-31
From the St. Louis Times.
AEr. Rtfchie.-The Washinston Union.

MEs kA1tC01es.Ine w &en1n8tOn UmlCns
The venerable Thomas Richie, for more
than fifty years one o: the ablest chsmpi-
ons of Jeffsrsonian Democracy, will retire
from public life, on the 18th April, 70 seek
in the bosom Of bis family some rep6ss from
q life Of political labor. He has disposed Of
his paper, the Washington Union, TO Gen.
Robert Armstrong and Andrew J. penel-
son, Of Tennessee. Mr.. z. was the bosom
friend Of Jefferson, Madison, Giles end al
the great lights Of the Democratic fsssy, b
the earlier days Of the republic.. From
them he imbibsd those principles Of con-
'titutional construction, upon which :hs in.
tegrity Of the Union, and the honor, the
glory and the welfare of the American peo-
pie depends; and he has adhered to them
in prosperity and in adversely, with fideli-
ty as honorable to himself, as it has been
bene6cialto the country. That man who
has served the people with so much'of zeal
and disinterestedness, has made so many
sacrifices for the public good, and whose
high sense of honor and duty, aud strict in.
tegrity, no one who knows him has ever
questioned, should be deprived by sn un.
principled partizan combination in the Con-
grsss Of the United States, of that which is
Justly his due, is fact which reflects seri-
Gus discredit upon the nation. We hope
Mr.. Richie will still continue to demand
his rights, and that there will be found in
the next Congress enough Of justice and
honesty to rsquits him for all his losses and
sacrifices.
Gen. Armstrong was the friend in whom
President Jackson repossd ell his conf
dence. He served with him in the Indian
war 10 the south, and BY his heroic bsha-
vior forever fixed the affection Of his COM
mander. Il was to him that his favorits
sword was bequsathed upon his death bed.
We haze the pleasure Of knowing him inti-
matsly, and We can testify that the Union
contains no truer Democrat, or more hon
est man. Msjor Donaldson was the private
Secretary Of General Jackson during the
whole Of his administration, and for years
after bis retirement; end he was, before bis
accession to the Presidency, and after his
retirement an inmate of his family, and q
friend always con6dsd in. Since the great
patriots death he has served as Minister to
Prussia, and hes occupied prominent po-
sition as public man. Both of them are
true to the constitution, true to the princi-
pies of Jefferson and jackson, true to the
rights and the honor of the slave holding
States, and open enemies Of the Free Soil
and Abolition tenets Of Van Buren, and Ben
ton. 10 their hands the organ Of the Ma
tiOnal Democracy will be all that the friends
Of the cause can desire. In announcing
the change, Mr.. Richie says:
"We are free to say that we have not the
slightest idea of "re-assuing the MANAGE
ment Of the Richmond Enquirer" It is in
better hands-in hands to which We should
have felt the utmost confidence and happi-
ness in transferring the helm Of the Union, if
we could have improved the fortunes of our
sons by such change. No; We retire to
private life. And nothing shall tempt us to
leave il but one event-not to take Office;
for we would not accept it-not to promote
others to the highest office in the nation, be-
cause each aspirant will have friends enough
to press his pretsnsions-no even to sup
port those great principles Of the Demo-
cratic party to which we have been so long
and are so deeply devoted, because they
will have champions enough to uphold the
flag: but If the Union of our country ever
10 iD danger, and if that Union can be main.
tanned 10 q manner consistent with the
rights Of the south, and if il can be suppos-
ed that we should lend the slightest aid to
that important work, we should deem our.
selves the most unworthy Of her sons il we
did not make any and every sacrifice for
that great object. We should come and
plant ourselves BY the side Of Donelson,
and serve a. Q volunteer in the cause"
SANTA FE TRADr.-From all we can gath
ct, this trade will be heavy this season
more DO than for yesrs past. We are in.
Rav q Shn& I >n,, Aoro IN adAi