Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1852-01-08


TAe h,xinss1 7snes II w esnesdny naorninEan-
nonaees shs death from pnenmouie, % Mondsy
night uesk. of is latesespeetsd EdTsf. wla14MC.
/ CaaRfssroNs ESQ. The intelligence 81 ~ death,
which vas widely cirenIafed shreugh The city on
the previons day, prcdnced deep and painful
sensalSen Il fen upon or own ears viii startling
eject. W. bal NOT esen heard Of his IllEess--
/ We had iHieed observed for some days an Unusual
deficiency pf editorial matter IN The columns 81 his
Journal, bFs had eoacluded thar. more Fortunate
thas cuFselvtss Be rs probably ahsenr from town
and participafinz ia lie festivities Of Christmas N
ne country. 4 Is impossible for usfo describe oar
sensations when We learned that As res dad We
cannot eTen now realize II We seem 10 see LIN
nov, Is ne list saw hIa, the ims.c If manly
strength "a he TerJ primeoE existenre and with as
TAR ect n lone life Is any man in the whole
eis-c Of our Acquaintance Oh, vain and deeting
woEsdl Men speak with compassion Of he poor
mariner, who .rayerses The seas with but thin
plank between him and death. Alas what are we
al bat mariners, with but frail partition of flesh
between Us and an invisible bat faihomIess ocean,
which roitA afonnd rs ID awful silence, and daily
swallows up myriads Of nnsuspeeting Yoyagers7
Mr.. w C.. Darlington became editor Of tie Rich
mond Times. then the Times and Compiler, in he
year 1876 The Compiler was oae Of the oldest
journals, and had been neutral in politics, until a.
bolt year previous 70 the accession OF Mr. Car
rington 70 the journal, when lis then proprietors,
Messrs. Cowarden & Davis, converted ii into
Whig Journal Mr. Darlington conducted It for
some years Id association with Messrs. cowardin
& Davis, and afterwards purchased the interest OF
those gentleman in the Journal, and became ifs sole
editor and proprietor until period Of bis death
Though decided 10 his poiikai views, he manifest
ed from his first connection with the press, uniform
courtesy, dignity and moderation which command
ed the respect even Of those who differed from him
In The most exciting moments Of political warfare.
the gentleman was never merged in the partisan,
nor the press degraded into an engine Of personal
warfare. Ofthe intellectual merits Of his journal,
there can be but one opinion. His editorial col
umns exhibited he fruits Of thorough scholarship,
of Judgment mature and ripe beyond his years, of
the most laborious research and of an intimate ac-
quaintance with political affairs. His style was
solid rather than snowy but his language was al
ways chasse. ard his thoughts were expressed in
words which conveyed his ideas with clearness
precision and force. He exhibited in controversy
decided logical aenmen, ingenuity and strength
Hiss control and possession distinguish
ing traits Of his character. He was beyond doubt
one of the most industrious OF editors and we have
oen been surprised az The array pr facts and figures
which he marshaled upon every subject Of impor-
lance which be discussed. We do not hesitate 10
saytha if Nj Darlington had lived, his solid parts
and indomisabe perseverance would have achieved
for him degree Of fame and fortune rarely attained
by members Of onr profession. As pur readers are
aware his faithful and valuable services 10 the
Wing party had elected from bis feilow citizens
strong token of their respect and confidence in his
election To- the first Legislature OF Virginia under
the new Constitution We had anticipated that
his career in that body would be one Of decided hon.
ORD himselEa and of usefulness TO hFsconstituents.
But his untimely death has cut short these expeeta-
tous, and reminded all, in tones Of dread .solein-
nifty, 9 what shadows we and what shadows We
pursue"
Our most sincere sympathes are withthe bereav-
ed family and friends Of the deceased. But the
virtues of his private life will shed light upon
theF path which though struggling now through /
the dark clouds of bereavement, will3become bright
er and sweeter with the lapse OF time, and allure
theif strckenhearts to a Of good and conso-
atidn, above this ehangefal armament and teternil
in the heavens - Richmond Republican,