Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-08-05
The late Thomas Ritchle.

The Richmond Enquirer of resent date contains
Memoir of Thomas Richie, prepared at the in
stance of that paper, 'tby gentleman who, from
long and intimate association with Mr.. Richie is
peculiarly competent to the task of pourtraying the
character and of that distinguished man -
We have read this Memoir with interest It occu-
pies nine columns of the Enquirer and full justice is
done to the illnstrious deceased There are manv
persons who would be grati6ed to have it in PAM
phlet form, to be bound up and preserved, and
handed down to other times
The Memoir concludes as follow:
"Thus died the white-hared Nestor of the Amer
lean press thus departed the husband father friend
and though the voice of sadness will be heard, yet
its plaintve sounds will be ming led with strains of
consolation, for he that hath passed away died in the
funess of years. checred by the clustering memories
of a long, eventful and well spent life, and by the
hopes of joyful existence beyond the grave"
A suitable eptaph for his tomb would be that which,
on the 25th of june 1850, he said would be appli-
cable to himself:
'tHere lies who never turned his back upon
his country, who always devoted to his friends
and never dreaded his enemies"
We conclude this sketch from the last clause
from his will, exhibiting still even, when preparing
for his encounter with the stern destroyer that his
thoughts were upon his country, her glory and
welfare
81 cannot repeat the advice, which the illustrious
and patriotic George Mason has inscribed upon his
will. He enJoinS upon his not to dedicate their
lives to the public service. On the contrary, hold
it to be the duty of every citizen to watch the
interests of country of which he is member; and
such free and glorious country as Miss! Who is
not proud of her destiny? Who is not willing to
give his services and even his life for the mainte-
nance of the great principles which her free and
federal institutions based? America has made
of the greatest political discoveries which the
world has witnessed form of organization
which reserves to the States and their people the
power of regulating most of the functions which ap
pertain to governments leaving but very few pow
ers, and they only ofthe most general and yet i'm
portant character to the jurisdiction of the federal
authorities. Hence the specification which is made
in the constitution of those powers which the United
States exercise in their legitimate sphere; and
hence the necessity of watching over the operations
of their machinery and depressing its excesses when
it threatens the rights of the States We already
the greatest power among the nations Weare des-
tined to be greater still but let not be too amb-
tous of inordinate acquisitions, too rapid in
advances Let US fill up the immense territory
which Let us not be too anxious to step
our foot from the main land to the islands, unless,
indeed, as in the of Cuba, threatened by
the barbaliZatio of that beautiful neighborhood.
Let not deny to the inhabitants of other lands
free asylum into own shores; but let confne
ourselves the operation of natural In this
way may best acclimate the emigrant to our free
institutions Preserve both the rights of the States
and the union of the States These the two great
pillars of American prosperity and glory"