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

u, anu career OF Iuul ulbtluSuieuCu
THOMAS RITCHIE.
like the fading CLEANS Of day, the great and the
nod men OF the earlier days ofthe Republic are passing
.rsv. Each one that steps from time to eternity
,yes an aching void behind. 1t is pleasure to re-
l their history and to dwell upon the incidents that
o,,.rbutcI TO their fame. The influence of well.
ren. life lives long after the mortal has put inn
-o,,sI,v. How far it may be diirused none can
rI
We purpose by rapid sketch, to trace some OF the
more prominent traits that made the life of Thomas
Richie interesting and conspicuous His was life
I O. the "reminiscences of the past, rich in political
.,-e ELI, deeply and intimately interviewer with the
f,,p Of men and measures. To DO him justice, his
Lio,rapher must refer 10 all the great measures OF
sse and federal poliiy for the last fifty years, bring
review the prominent men who have advocated and
aposed those measures, fathom the intricacies OF
splomacy, foreign aud domestic, search for the
.p:ues which regulate and the influences which con.
mol Stale and National Legislation go with him
through War and in Peace in sunshine and storm,
ut ponder the arcana Of government in all its de-
ss-mep;s Ours must be glance ut these things
he picture cannot be completed short Of apanoramic
view bcvord our time and limits to pourtray.
Mr., Richie was a Eirgnian, imbued with all Il Fir-
rasps psr,iay for his native State and kceny sensl-
i've 10 her honor and fame. He was born III the WI
age OF Tappahannock in Essex county, ON the 9th OF
November ITS was rocked in the cradle of the Re
v,,ut;,n. arrived at manhood when the Resolutions
q s and go This political texr-book) were the stand
,s O; orthodox faith; enlisted under the Republican
bauucr in the exciting period when the great battle
I Of Democracy and federalism was fought under the
l.sl OF Thomas Jefferson; became captnin IN the
yrss, srnv was in every pitched battle III the ti'ck
e; Of the tight, d champion and leader left the
n-b, host victorious in the decline Of his life, to
.se IN Nj. l;urels; and died in peace and calm III
ic fo, nssesson Of his mind, surrounded by his de-
voted family, hcs,cwiug upon them his bcnedctions'
Weaving his warnings aud blessings to his country and
coufdug in the promises Of God for blissful mmoi-
lity.
Hi, father, Archibald Richie, was merchant, who
removed from Scotland TO prosecute his business III
,Ais s,u,e. He intermarried with Mary Roane, the
ANN, Of Judge Spcncer Rome, and also of the elder
members OF the Brockenbrough family, so well known
and Justly distinguished in Virginia Losing his ia
her when he wa. only six years old, Thomas Ritclpe
was .f, 10 the core of his devoted pous and Sehsi
E. mother until the age of eighteen. Her memory
he sincerely cherished, and i'll training his own CHI
i-ea in tho paths of obedience, industry anu '"'"e,
te would r.i.r to the qualification he experienced
when assured bv her on brr death bed that me mao
nsver caused her moments unhappiness.
From such a mother, and in the midst OF connec-
ion. and associates who were ripe scholars and pro-
found thinkers, upright and honest, and possessing
The valued qualities of polished Southern gentemen'
he received his earliest impressions. From these'
,nG men such as these, imOued with legal ana consul
,aoaal lore high in the confidence OF the state anu
tle affections Of the people, aiding him in after lie
rih their counsel and their pens he took astand that
ccmuandei r.pcct, and with the will and the nerve
10 accomplish great ends he walked steadily Ill thef
paths aud kept in the track Of the fathers OF inc
t.:hiu.
II Was the intention Of his mother that he should
embrace the profession of the law, and enter upon
sad prosecute his studies under the guidance and ad-
vie Of bis distinguished cousin, Spencer koane; out
Hac Profession repagnant to his incnatloh aho
as;e that he abandoned it without hesitation. lie
hen commenced the study Of medicine, and attended
winters course of medical lectures in the city Oh
Philadelphia but the further he advanced IN THIS SCI
uee the apparent it became to himself that Ills
Enpahy for the sufferngs Of others, his reluctance
nwtnes,th the exhibitions necessary IN tie perform
Hce Of surgical operations and the discomtorts when
anticipated in the life of physician would render
aa unfit for the practice and make il source OF un'
:apPness in after life. With these impressions nc
ssndoned his untried vocation and sought another
led Tor his e1cron..
When lie was twenty-ono years of age he deter
s'nsd to devote himself to the instruction OF YOUTH
ID took charge of an Academy in the town OF Fred
y sSksburg With fair prospect OF success he de-
'@ec himself to his occupation with the ANNA
10 and energy which characterized his subsequent
a ecs
H.ccmbued with classical and mathematical at
Nnens most extensive and thorough course Of
rating. embracing the best authors, ancient and mod
~. Wisslualifc for high position in our
ri 'Has,i;utons Of learning, he possessed the rare
acaiy Of mparting information to others and devel-
L g,he rudnents of science. making the subjects
-asat easy and interesting to the young attaching
CEN to their studies, and ensuring for himself their
IL 'See'e regard. His family have often listened with
deepest interest to his touching description OF the
SAS scene between his pupils and himself aud the
regrets expressed at the severance OF their al
srtOna,e ties.
@dns his health declining, after several years OF
ea'e application, he relinqushed with regret this
%e'!on, which otherwise congenial with his
e-nss. He possessed none Of that foolish pride
'-Nl would look upon this noblest of occupations
'esTading, would place it in an inferior position
""her Professions OH the contrary, he esteemed it
'o as he did in after years, the important and
ooFable, the basis Of the superstructure Of wisdom
% virtue.
rom fredericksburg, he removed to the city Of
E0nond about the year 1868, and pursuing still his
a'y Ase, delighting in being surrounded by books
Ae companionshp of their authors, he established
'"k store, and endeavored while following the in.
s'aOns Of his genius, to make an honest aud com.
'seut support.
A0out this period the Examiner" was the leading
.a,0c'as'c newspaper in the city of Richmond. l.
0een' for two or three years, edited by Meriweth-
sone'' who was then the public printer, but who
"S from the management Of the paper on &C.
bis health, had left itin charge Of his brother
NJ" 'a Jones and W. W. Woreley, the former Us
e,s. and the latter having the control Of the me-
department. Finding that change was
4. 'ake place in the Editorial Department o,
""n'er' and desiring to place himself in a po-