Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-07-25

ucSotlon 10 nlS Stdte anu
and an unainchiug attachment to the Union, he ns-
sumeda station which enabled him to display enhu-
sinsm energy, indomitable zeal, untirlng industry
patience, perseverance, devotion to principle and u
deviatins patriotism, "that bright star which
never dimmed till the shades OF the eternal night
gathered around his mortal remains"
On the 9th Of May, 1901, tho banner OF the Enqu-
rer was untolded to the breeze. Thomas Ritche and
W. w. Worseey became its proprietos, and it occu'
pied the position of the Examiner which had prer-
ously expired. Mr. Worseley continuing to manage
the Mechanical, and Mr. Ritchie the Editorial depart
ment Launching upon the turbd stream of politics,
his small and apparently frail bark seemed scarce able
to cope with the angry pillows upon which it was des-
tined to ride but fearcssy taking the helm with tho
constitution as his compass and State Rights and the
Onion as his chart he rode on triumphany, cheering
and cheered until his bark became famous in story,
and he great and glorious commander. If received
with friendly greeting he would pass courteous sa-
iute gun for gun and cheer for cheer, but if met by
resistance or insult was offered to himself, his coun
try her institutions, he would man every yard pipe
all hands to quarters and fire broadside utter broad
sde si,her sinking his opponents or making them ac-
| knowledge his power. He feared not to assail any
Gibraltar and no fort with bristling guns appalled, his
heart; no would pour into them hot shot and shells
and make the darkness Of night light with his rock
! etts.
One of the most remarkable traits Of his character
was that he would nevcr acknowledge himself beaten
II breakers were ahead and the stormy bilows raged
and the seams of his panks opened the pumps were
choked and his men exhausted and fanng around hiu
theni was that he stepped most bouyant and hrn then
it was his voice rang ceares animang and cnvening;
then il was his orders came fst and sure, command
ing obedience then it hs ship came forth righted,
tight aud ,rin and he triulnphantly shouting all is
| we'll"
When il was first ushered to the world tho Enqui-
rer numbered only 500 subscribers, but his prospec-
tus and his inaugural breathed spirit which gave
promise of long and useful life
The mode of conducting the paper, its aims and Its
Objects ts principles, were portrayed with beauty
disarming cavil and winning golden opinions In his
he declared that private character is too
delicate subject for any public print There Id per-
haps one case only which may cul forth it's anmad-
versions upon vicious man-when that man IL about
to become peruicious to his country" In his first
number he announced that "the editor of public
paper who prostitutes it to personal abuse or party
spirit may bc regarded lat least in his own sphere al
most as great an enemy to the Press as the Despot
who would wish to paralyse s political influence al
together" He states the object and aim of an editor
to be excite the curiosity OF the people on the
great changes which every instant taking place IN
the condition Of society; TO make them more v!gilant
in the conduct of their own officers and in the admin
istraon of their public affairs TO brng before them
the brightest productions Of hcir cou,l'rynen ON gem
.ru subjects, and TO lead them 10 admire and t" i
tate the efforts of genius 10 spread before them the
great principle of science and 10 give them "a sense
e1ouistely keen" to all those cver-varynS delights
over which tsrssure presidcs; toencouragc as much
of the spirit ofaYty may be necessary for the eu-
cdation of unsettled truths, without mixing up with
it any of the groususss Of vulgar personal abuse
.bese have asvuys appeared to L: rc "c ou|ec'e "o
tbv of the labors of az, man, however Srea' Ills &C.
nius md not beyovd the attainment OF any wo nave
| sut,icient zeal tc pursue them.
| ale fondl, hoped, that whenever the time shall
.o,,, ,yb,a necessity or inclination shall induce him
10 abauon his present pursuit. he may be able to lay
n. hand upon his heart and indulge the consolaory
reflection, that ho has not injured the interests OF his
country and that lie has not dishonored the high pre-
rogative of the press or his own personal honor
Let any editor take this chart and work by IT, anu
let him lie able say much at the end OF his career
as this hope expressed and as we think Mr. RitcheSli
realized and he will live respected and admired hon
ored and caressed and eamented by his trends and
his loss be long deplorcd by his country.
Men NAV honestly differ as to the interests OF Their
country. In high party times the very belief
of one party in the beneficial effects Of any policy Is
sufficient to induce the other to dsbelieve thcm.-
History alone, after the ercitements OF the day have
worn away, will hnpartially decide which OF the TWO
were right. In advocating, MS he did, with uncon-
querable spirit the principles and measures oi the De
mocratic pnrty, Mr.. Ritche sincerely believed he
promoted the interests Of his country. The advance
ment of the nation to her present elevated POSITION
under Democratic rule for nearly the entire period OF
our existence will go far to demonstrate that those
nr;nciples and measures were beneficial in the high
eat decree That he did not dishonor the high prero
caye Of the press is fully established by the concur
rent unsolicited testimony of every paper in the
Union, which has spoken on the subject. Upon his
own personal honor there never was stain or blen-
ish. "Over the grave Of such man. political enm-
ty will ring no bitter changes but all will wish HIM
that rcpose due to high soul crowned by spotess
and eminent life'
On the 3Oth Of July, 1906, the coparncrshlp, which
had been formed the year previous between MIR.
Richie and Mr. Worseley was by mutual con-
sent and Mr. Richie became the sole editor and pro-
nr;,tor of the ENQUIRER. His subscription list had
already increased from 500 to ll5O subscribers aud his
paper was assuming the rank and importance to which
it subsequently attained. His principles he again
boldly uvowed They were i'll accordance with the
inaugural Of Thomas Jefferson, then fresh in the re-
| collection of his readers. Among these, tho chief
were the administration of "a wise and frugal 60
vcrnment which shall restrain men from inurlnS one
another; which shall leave them otherwise free to re-
culate their own pursuts of industry and improve
mept and shall not take from the mouth of labor the
bread it has earned" Equal aud exact justice to
all men, of whatever State or persuaslon religious or
POLITICAL peace, commerce and honest friendship
with all misunderstanding alliances with mono; the
support of the State Governments in all theirrghs Us
the most competent administrations for our domestic
concerns and the surest bulwarks against antl-re-
publican tendencies the preservation OF the General
Government in its whole constitutional vgor, as the
sheet anchor Of our peace at home and saiety
Abroad freedom Of Religion; freedom Of the
freedom Of the person under the protection oi
the habeas corpus, and trial by jury imparally se-
lccted-these principles form the bright constellation
! which has gone before US, and guided our steps
through an age Of revolution and reformation"
How ardenty and jealously Mr.. Richie fought for
these principles throughout his life all who ever read
the Enquirer had ample cause to remember. These
oninous he said himself "it would be the pride and
pleasure of my life throughout the world
how then is to be expected that any transory con-
sderution of interest," that either threas suspicious or
rewards Gun induce me to abandon them for mo-
meut." Mr. Richie gloried in conrorerns the anti.
s.,. .,;,;on. IJs denounced aud ridculed