Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1858-01-23
IFrom the Richmond D'spat'
The Late ThCmaS Ritchie.

ever palu 10 the iaIe THOMAS RITCIIIF, came
from the pen of Erastus Brooks, of New
York, one of the most stalwart champions o
the Wing party. This sketch of Mr.
Richie was published before his death, ant
was copied into the Enquirer, with some
running comments distinguished by thai
charming sprightliness and good nature SC
characteristic Of the man We have sever.
al times read over this tribute of late years,
and should like to see it republished Our
own copy is somewhat mutilated With
the exception of Joseph Gales, of Washing
ton, Mr.. Richie was perhaps the most re-
markable man ever connected with the
American press. He exercised more inAu-
ence upon the politics Of the country than
any other editor, and as for the politics OF
Virginia, he held them in the hollow of his
hand. Notwithstanding his admitted pow
er and influence. Mr.. Richie, like Mr..
Gales, and other .irst rate men, was singu-
larly free from vanity and arrogance. 1t is
only the tenth@ratcrs, the intellectual dwarfs
and manikins, that wear high heeled boots,
walk on stills, perk their noses high in the
air as if nothing but the atmosphere of heav-
oH "CrC III III uhCIl CuaStc uOStTls, anu
make up in strut and pretension what they
lack in solidity and merit. Mr.. Richie
was, indeed, model editor, and with the
exception of our old friend Gales, he has
not left his like beyond him. Gales is the
last Of the Romans. May his shadow new
er be less!
! 1t is not the only nor most important du-
ty of leading political editor that he should
be an elegant writer. We never thought
Mr. Ritchie remarkable in this Some of
his Virginia contemporaries surpassed him
both in the strength and graces of compost
ton, though he always expressed his ideas
with facility and pcrspieuity. But what
sagacity he had, what forecast, what gem
eralship! Always collected and far-seeing,
yet quick and irresistible as the thunder
bolt, when the occasion called for prompt
and energetic demonstration How he fol
lowed up the leaders Of the opposition,
threw cold water on their flaming rhetoric,
and when he could not strike them down
with the gauntleted hand of logic, strangled
them efectually in spiders web of special
pleading. Did any man ever lsno.7 him to
commit blunder in tactics Did any one
ever see the old Enquiror, in the worst
weather and the thickest fog, running its
passengers and cargo ashore? Did not the
entire Democracy feel that there was Pa
inurus indeed at the helm, and that al was
safe, 80 long as sold Tom" as he was styl-
ed, held the wheel, and directed Ike chip :?
No Democratic splits and schis,ns whilst
Thomas was High Priest! The party then
was as united as the primitive church the
disafected were oiled over with such scoth-
ing and aromatic unguents. that they soon
forgot their private grlefs in the exquisite
Utilization and delicious fragrance; the Hru-
tuss and Caasar"s were prevailed upon to
walk in the same ranks, and to understand
each other properly; the young men were
encouraged and caressed, and the cid men
respected and deferred to-apparently.-
There is no editor now in the United States
who can be called G leader Of his party all
follow, while they seem to lead.
Thomas Richie was real cantain, whilst
he wore neither uniform, epaulcttes, or
cooked hat, never fourishcd his sword, and
paid the utmost courtesy and consideration
to the humblest private in the ranks. He
was the Rough and Ready Of the Democrat
ic corps; plain old man, surrounded by
brilliant staff, hiding under his humble ex-
terror soul born for command, and placing
more value upon the substance than the in
sigma of greatness. In defeat and disaster,
his courage rose with the emergency, as the
4Eolian harp gives forth its bollest strains
with the increase CT tie. gale. After the
magnificent ard ovarw helming Wing victo-
ry Of 1910, Mr. Richie was the only Dem
ocrat in the United States who showed any
signs Of vitality. They were all stretched
out like the host Of the Assyrians when the
angel of death visited their camp in the night
watch. They lay pallid and motionless like
the inhabitants of the earth when the clean
sing and ayenging dcluge swept over pol
luted soil. Amongst the drift wood, the
floating carcasses, tbs binding flashes Of
Lightning, and the mingled roar Of rain and
thunder, the voice Of Ritohie was distinctly
heard, e1olaiming, ''Skies bright and
Frightening" There can be no doubt that
he was descended from the gentleman who
told Noah to 90 to the devil with his old
arl-that it wasn't going to be much of
shower after all. Yet he proved better
prophet than the sanguine antideluvian -
There was amidst the multitudinous black
clouds single blue patch Of sky. and just
behind it his guardian star, tie eternal orb
of Hope, still shining high above the ele-
mental war. and his eye detected that dis
tant light, invisible to alt other mortal Wis.,
ion. Who would then have believed that
four short years would have SO changed the
aspect of affairs that the dead bones around
this political prophet wenld SO soon have
risen up an exceeding great army and, at
the very next election, dead and buried
party have come from its grave, and beaten
the gallant and victorious warriors of 1910
led on by Henry Clay, the greatest patriot,
orator and statesman of America? For
that extraordinary triumph, the Democratic
party may thank the great leader, who, as
courageous in defeat as most men are in
vistory, rallied their scattered forces after
the ignominious defeat Of Van Buren,, res
tored their courage and their ardour, and
led them from the very jaws Of despair to
highway of success and honor.
It is said of the Duke of wellington, of
Napoleon, and we dare say the same is true
of all great commanders, that he was as par
ticular IN details as in generals, and that
the most minute matter affecting in the
slightest degree the efficiency and comfort
Of the soldier received the most uniform
and particular care In like manner. MIR