Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-05-11
THE RIoHMoND ENoUIRER.


Tuesday, the following article, in which the his
tory of that well-known journal is briefly
sketched, from the 9th day of May, 1904, when
it was established, to the 9th day of May, 1854,
when it reached the venerable, and, for news
paper, unusual age of fifty years. 1t is need
less for US to say that the founder Of the En-
quire, was Thomas Richie, esq, whose distin-
gnished career as political journalist has made
his name as familiar to the public ear as that
of any of the eminent statesmen and patriots
of our country. A patriot without spot or
blemish-a State-rights man of the good old
school of'9S-a lover of his whole country--as
kind, as courteous, and as genial in private
life as he is distinguished in public affairs, he
has retired from the exciting contests of the
political arena, to seek the repose and tran
quillity to be enjoyed only in retirement. We
wish him many years of health and happiness:
"THE ENQUIRER.-On Wednesday, the 9th
of May, 1904, the first number Of a small semi.
weekly sheet, with the above title, was issued
in this city by Richie Il Worsley, the propri-
etors. The name of the editor was modestly
withheld, but curiosity was not long in finding
it out, and common fame soon spread it abroad.
The then unknown Thomas Richie, in brief
but carefully written address, commended his
enterprise to the favor Of the public, not by any
parade of lofty pretension, but by a simple
statement Of his purposes. After halt CEN
fury Of responsible connexion with the press,
the venerable man may exultingly recall the
noble aspiration which he uttered, when, in the
ardor of youth, he concluded his first editorial
article with these words: He fondly hopes
that whenever necessity or inclination shall in
duce him to abandon his present pursuit, ne
may be able to lay his hand upon his heart
and indulge the consolatory reflection that he
has not injured the interests of his country, and
that he has not dishonored the high preroga-
tives Of the press or his own personal charac-
ter Mr.. jefferson was then President; and
as the Enquirer was established partly under
his auspices, the first rumber contains an evil
dence Of his confidence and regard, in the pub
LEGATION of the laws of the United States The
tact, industry, and talent with which the new
journal was conducted, justified this mark of
confidence, and soon gave it name and an
influence in the country. Its circulation rapidly
extended, and it became the organ Of the
Virginia democracy. Men in the highest POI
sitions and Of the greatest ability contributed
to its columns and courted its favor.
Henceforth, until lS45, when the original
editor removed to another sphere, the reputa-
ton Of the Enquirer was equal, and perhaps
superior, to that of any other journal in the
country. It's power was immense, and was
greater perhaps the day Mr.. Richie left it than
at any previous period. He husbanded its in
fuence with prudent economy, never impair.
ing it by indiscretion nor frittering it away for
unworthy ends. For forty years no measure
of public policy was proposed which the En-
guirer did not discuss with freedom and power;
there was no event of interest which it did not
record Nowhere else, perhaps, can such abun-
dant materials for the history of the country,
and especially Of Virginia, during that period,
be found, as are embalmed in the files of the
Enquirer.
"The Enquirer has not escaped the charge of
inconsistency in its criticisms on public men
and measures; and, indeed, it would be strange
if, during the long period of its existence, the
opinion Of one epoch did not seem occasion
ally to contradict the opinion of another. But
this we may safely affirm, that in no single in.
stance has it betrayed the essential principles
Of the democratic party. The doctrines of
the State-rights school, which it was established
to expound and defend under the administra-
ton Of Mr.. Jefferson, it still cherishes under
the administration Of Mr. Pierce, and, we may
add, will continue to cherish and support, so
long as it remains under the control of its pre-
sent conductors.
Son this, the fiftieth anniversary since its
establishment the Enquirer greets its readers
in new and agreeable type; meaning there
by to show that age abates nothing Of its en-.
ergy or its determination to keep pace with the
progress and improvements of the day."