Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-09-02

in the New York Herald by Col John P. .Heiss now
of New Orleans. contains facts in the career OF Mr.
Richie which illustrate his unse6sHhess and patri
otism, and at the same time show,sthe unkindness
with which he was treated by ga setof anprincipied
demagogues' even in his old age. Mr.. Ritche's ca
reer was a conspicuous and brilliant one; but it
was the result of unceasing watchfulness and toll,
and was chequered, here and there, by the opposi-
ton and by the injuries attempted to be heaped up
on him by many of the very men whom he had
brought into notice and elevated to distinction by
his pen. In his case, it may emphatieally be said,
'the pen mightier than tn sword"; yet his la
bors and the exertions of his great powers contrbu
ted to the exaaton of Others leaving to him only tn
consciousness Of having endeavored to serve his
country with fidelity and honesty to the last. This
consciousness we doubt not, cheered him as he en-
tered the clark Valley; and coupled with sincere
Christian faith went with him to the portals Of lof
tier and purer realm H. .
The business of politics and the pursuit of politi-
cal honors are calculated, perhaps, more than any
thing else to produce GOODNESS of disposition, selfish
ness, and disregard ofpersonal friendships. The as
prant the prize gitterng before him in the dis
tance and, like the boy, eager in the pursuit of a
flower butterfly, he dashes onward, over every
thingin the hope of reachingt Or when the prize is
serbs every faculty until the spell is broken and them
in many instances comes the iron which enters the
SOUL and to but few the laurels ofa worthy triumph
Happy therefore, is that man who performs his du-
ties in the of politics with eye single to his
country's good, and without reference to his own ad
vancement or aggrandizement; and fortunate may
any people esteem themselves who point to and
claim such man as their servant and friend. The
peoplel-aye, the people!-the universally invoked,
and complimented and fattered, but too often for
gotten people!
s.Mr Ritchie's connection with Mr. Folks admins
tration pleasant to him in every respect
subsequently, l doubt if a residence in Washington
brought him many happy days. His contract to do
the public public which of his friends advised
him to engage in proved Improbable and he had to
combat with set of unprncipled demagogues, whom
had been elevated to prominent positions by preten-
ding to advocate the doctrine which he (Mr. R. had
made popular with the people. The very who
he had been instrumental in eevatng to power
joined his political enemies to crush him. They con-
strued the meaning of profitable contract to make
it improbable, Notwithstanding the best legal talent
in the country had given it their favorable opinion
but these gentlemen in their official capacity could
keep Mr.. Richie from his just rights, and they did
It, His subsequent difficulties embarrassing,
and made more so by the acts of some men who
recognized as his political friends Shame rest
upon their heads for striving to injure who had
done more for his country and the democratic party
imam any Otler mcmDef OF LnaC party living, anu
whose name will live thousand years after theirs
forgotten.
These latter difficulties would not have occurred
with Mr. Richie, if it had been his good fortune to
have had some knowledge of business. With his
long connection with the press he probably knew as
little about the details of printing office boy of
ten years ofage, and about financial matters he
equally ignorant. There thing in Mr.. Ritch-
les character that untitled him for the locality of
Westinghouse decidedly an honest man. He
had been raised among statesmen and gentlemen;
therefore not educated for the society of dema
gogues and political tricksters, who make politics
trade-ofice and the fowings of the Treasury their
traffic. Such men often imposed upon him. they
to him in the garb of gentlemen, with, perhaps,
NJ. c. U. S. S. attached to their names, received
his confidence and abused it. He was never up to
all of their tricks he lost the support of some be-
cause he would not manufacture a very great man
out of insignificant material, and Of others
count of his not aiding them in getting somebody
put out of office, so that themselves other
der could get in. He always had horror for this
Office seeking; and to his honor be it said that du-
ring the whole of Mr. Folks administration he did
not once raise mis- voice to have person removed;
and if he spoke in favor of any person it was to fill
place already vacated. Let what may be said of
him by his enemies, his friends will bless his
memory. A nobler soul never filled the breast of
man, and words cannot do justice to his memory"