Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-07-04
DEATH OF THOMAS RIFCnIE.

DEATH OF THOMAS RIPCuIE.
The painful duty devolves on us to-day toI
announce the death Of one whose name is as|
familiar to the American people as that of any
of the great men Of the republic Thomas
Richie. For some months past he has been|
growing gradually more feeble, and his family
and friends have watched with painful solici-
tude the stealthy approaches Of the insidious|
destroyer.
Mr.. Richie died yesterday, between the|
hours of twelve and one o'clock, in the
10th year of his age. he died in the bosom of
his family. He died as he had lived, good
man, an honest man, great man. Few mem
in this country have lived to more purpose
than Mr.. Richie. He appeared on the great
stage of public affairs at a most important and|
interesting period of our history. 1t was whenI
many of the most eminent sages and patriots
of the revolution, after founding great repub
Lie, were about retiring to the repose of private
ifs-a repose which they so well merited, but
which they had been so loIg denied. FROM
them he imbibed his earliest political lessons
from them he drew all the inspirations of patri
otism. Those lessons were sound, that patri-
otism was ardent and sincere They chung to|
him through life. He commenced his career
at that happy period when faction was abhorred|
and love of country was cherished. He bel
longed to that school of politics known as the|
State rights schools school whose tenets, i'll
rigidly and faithfully carried out, would at the|
same time preserve the States and the Union|
in their integrity
We knew Mr.. Richie well-intimately we'll
For many years he has instructed and guided
us. We have looked up to him as toward oneI
capable of directing the young generations.
No impure thought ever found a resting place.
thai he was shrewd and cunning; but the
world did not know him. Mr.. Richie was al
plain, free spoken man, with intense PERSONAL
attachments, and, we believe, without an ami !
mostly toward a living man. For fifty years
he has been an active combatant. He has
gone down to the tomb without an enemy.
Some may question the wisdom Of his course Il
but yet the buckler which he has borne in|
many a fierce encounter-bruised and battered
as it may be--has no tarnish on its surface.
Mr.. Richie was born and reared in Virginia,
and doubtless did more to influence and direct
the destinies of that venerable Comuonwealth
than any public man of his day. As the
founder and conductor for nearly a half CEN
tury, of the Richmond Enquirer, he exerted an
influence over the politics of Virginia that
was almost miraculous. Such was the conf
dence both Of the leading politicians and of
the masses in his sagacity, his genius, his in|
tegrity, and his patriotism, that the word of
Thomas Richie was almost the law to the
Virginia democracy. To the highest acquire
ments of the scholar, he united the profoundest
attainments of the politician. His Judgment
of men was well nigh unerring- He united the
vivacity and courage of early manhood to the
calm discretion and ripe experience of ma
turer years. He loved his family, his friends,
bis State, and his country. When his many
noble qualities Of heart and mind are con-
sidsred, it does not seem wonderful that he
should have excited so powerful an influence
over the staunch and iron commonwealth of
Virginia.
had acquired in the editorial conduct of the
Enquirer, induced President Polk to invite him
from bis Provincial theatre to the larger arena
Of Metropolitan politics; and when Mr. Polls
80 al l.
lished the Washington Union, which was the
government organ during the whole period Of
Mr Polks brilliant administration.
In Washington, as in Virginia, Mr.. Ritchies
around him circle of sincere and admiriug
friends. The most eminent statesmen aspired
to bis confidence aud friendship.
Mr.. Richie may appropriately be called the
Father Of the American Press. BE was, we
cannot doubt, the oldest American editor. BE
possessed all the elements and qualities neces
sary to the accomplished and successful jour
nalist He was bold, fearless, and truthful.
TO quick perception, great learning, solid
judgment, and remarkable discretion, he united
an industry that was interchangeable.
We will not presume, in these hasty remarks
to attempt a sketch of the distinguished de
ceased. We will leave that for another occa
sion. Several Of our eminent men have died
on the 4th of July, as if Providence designed
to show to imperfect man, that no day, how
ever bright, shall pass off without cloud, on
however proud, shall end without humility
But few hours more, and Mr. Richie would
have died as did jefferson, Adams, and Mon1
roe, on the anniversary of American Irdepen-
dence.
As tribute to the distinguished and hon
ored dead we clothe our paper in mourning
and respectfully tender to those I'm he most
loved the sincere sympathy Of OUT hearts.
Tnn CONSTITUTION Of Buenos Ayers, JUST
adopted, esta bsbes the Roman Catholic rel gion
as the religion OF the State, but at the same time
~. Tiki nj every nersou Ia WI shinI