The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-09-11
From the Fredericksburg NeUs.

Awriter in the sumpter (Alabama) Democrat has
given to that journal series of interesting articles
on the leading editors Of the southern press. These
sketches in the previous numbers were confined to
the editors of that State The last number referred
to the press Of Virginia, in which some life-ike
deineations were given oftEe Richmond fraternity.
We make extracts which true to notions Of
Justice and accuracy. He has Locofoco proclivi-
ties, but is Just sometimes to Wing, evidenced
In his notice of our friend Of the Republican:
'.John nj. Daniel, Of the Examiner, ia a fearless
and vigorous writer, but these good qualities are
counterbaanced by two glaring defects-one OF
style, the other OF temper. His ia too sovenly,
and too much like the dress Of rustic beauty,
spoiled from want Of taste. His sentences are
pointed and epigrammatic, and would serve as lu-
cifer matches to light the tallow candles of dullcr
minds. But still, the want of dignity and chaste-
most elaborate writings, and prevent him from as
suming the ranks to which his talent fearessness,
and energy, entitle him. The quickness and irri.
liability Of his temper render him an unpleasant
person to dispute with, as il makes him Oblivious,
temporarily at least of the fact that editor has
no license to violate the gent!er courtesics OF life
His arrows are stepped in the venom OF satirical
spirit, and are sure to pierce the heart OF windy
politicians. But his bitterness and pugnacity have
made him many enemies without gaining him
proPortionate number of friends.
WIN. F. Richie ia the reverse of Daniel. As
party sentinel he is invaluable for his prudence is
never thrown off its guard, nor his vigilance re-
mitted The errors OF his venerable sire have proved
useful lessons to him, and kept him from flying of
al a tangent whenever he disapproves OF any mea.
sure originated by his party. The resolutions of
Mr. Madison constitute his bible, but like some
churchmen, he does not entirely conform his con-
duct to the prscepts Of his bible.
Mr. Baldwin, of the Richmond Republican, is a
polished scholar and man of decided genius. His
dicon is polished with attic nicely, his humor is
rich and pleasant and his fancy hangs glittering
gem every question that he touches. have seen
some things from his pen that possessed the humor
of Dickens, with the beauty and grace Of WASH
ington Irving. The chief merit of his style ia its
general freedom from the vulgar, sovenly phrases
used by all our public men, and the manliness OF
thought and brilliancy of imagination, which char
acterize his most trivial writings. Some editors
| are mere compers, fit only like journeymen tail
ors to stitch together the work cut out by mastsr
workmen, and Of course rely more on free use Of
| the scissors than the pen. But Mr. Baldwin does
| not belong to this class of drones, who suck the
life blood from the thoughts of others without ever
| making any contributions to the knowledge box
| OF mankind He embellishes every theme that he
touches, and relieves the insipidity of hackneyed
dsqusitions politics with fresh and original OBJ
servations upon literature or other matter. Lest i
should be inferred that he ia a mere rhetorician
relies the tnse of style to conceal the lack
| of strength of thought, must, in justice to him
add, that any inference of the kind would do him
grevous injustice. He ia certainly not deficient II
| argumentative resourcee, nor in the dextrous ust
of the articles of the logician