Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-09-06
THOMAS RITCHIE AND THE ES-
TABLISIMENT OF THE UNION
NEJVSI1A PER.

NEWSPAPER.
To the Editor ollie New York Herald
The Richmond Enquirer OF recent date:
contains a memoir of the late Thome s
Richie, written by a.friend. who has no
doubt proved himself capable of the task !:
but So far as Mr.. Richie was concerned
in establishing the Union at Washing
ton some particulars are omitted, which
propose to supply. That part of the
memoir which relates to this matter is
correct in every particular g: that Mr.
Ritchie, on two occasions, when PROPOSE
tions were made to him to take charge Of
paper in the city of Washington, posi-
lively refused. even though the request
came through committee of gentlemen
who occupied the distinguished position of
members of the United States Senate and
House of Representatives. 1t was only
after the President had positively con
cluded not TO recognise the Globe news
paper as the official organ of the ad-
minstration that a third attempt was made
to induce Mr.. Rilchic to take charge Of
the administration paper, and it was
brought about AS follows:
With the resident it was understood
that | was to be connected with the pa
per but the great difficulty was in re
gard to the editor. Finally Mr.. Polk
sent for me and stated that he had fixed
his mind upon Mr.. Thomas MIchie or MAj.
a. j. OonelSnn. then acting rs our Min
lister to Texas but as Mr.. Richie had
positively declined coming to Washing
tor under any circumstances, | had bet
ter make my arrangement to depart i'm
mediately for Texas. and consult with
Mai Donclaon in the, mean time, he
would prepare letters for me, calculated
to accomplish my object. then sugges-
ted to the President the propriety Of
making another effort to induce Mr..
Richie to take charge Of the adminlstra-
ton paper, on the ground that he had
more editorial and political experience
than Maj. DonvlSun-believing as did,
that it WAS an important matter to have
an old and experienced hand in such a
position, particularly at the commence
ment Of a new and important administra-
tion. The result Of this interview with
the President, was that on the following
day, instead Of starting for Texas, start
ed for Richmond with letters from the
President, and from Mr.. Rjtchie's old
friend. VIM. Seldom, Esq, Then Treas
urer of the United States.
On my arrival at the latter place. l
laid my business before Mr.. Richie, who
received me in his usual courteous and
koSpitable manner. but appeared to be
somewhat astonishcd that he should be
again urged TO accept a position which he
had already several times refused. RI
nally, after discussing the subject for
some time, and spending most delight
full evening with his family, he informed
me che would see about it-consuIt his
friends. and let me know the result
The following morning, l left Richmond
for Washington. and then. as the writer
Of his memorial states, Mr.. RItchIe held
frequent and anxious consultations with
some of his warmest and most Intimate
political friends in the city of Richmond.
Some Of them cOunsclleI him warmly
against the step, but advised him first to
visit the President and ascertain for him
self the great principles upon which hi
administration was TO be conducted
Whether they were in accordance with
those which Mr.. Richie had advocated
and cherished during a long life, and
whether it was expected that he should
Weld his independence Of thought or ac-
tion in assuming the position rendered
him. After making this visit and recciv-
inr from Mr.. Po,k frank expose OF his
views. feelings. principles, and policy
and believing they were in all respects Ill
accordance with his own, he consented tc
wave all objections." From that time
until the close Of Mr.. Folks adminiStra-
ton, Mr.. Ritchie had the entire CONFIDENCE
of the President. and not Il question OF
importance was brought before the gov
crnment that he was not cOgnlzant OF aud
most get orally consulted upon. To show
his perfect independence, which he would
not haye given up TO have been the or
gan Of all the governments in the world
I will relate single fact: Before the
Union was regularly under way. and
while preparations were making for the
same, the prospectus was written and laid
before the Cabinet. !: embraced Mr..
Ritcbie's doctrin's the old fashioned dem
ocI attic greedy throughout. 1t was read
in cabinet council, met the approval ofthe
President, and only objected to by one
member, on account of its free trade doc
trines. He thought that although they
might be correct in the main. point. policy
would dictate it was unnecessary TO say
anything on the sub bject. particularly IN
the prospectus of the new government
paper. This question would come before
the country at proper time from the
proper quarter: But to send forth such
free trade doctrin in this shape, at the
present moment, having it would be