Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-04-20
from The 4. Z. T.iDuLe.l
. DEATH OF RICHARD Golden

DEATH OF ElOhAhD OODDbN'
Europe has lo.t one Of her great men, aud the
United States one Of her best foreign trieroS, oy
the death Of Richard Golden, which occurred az
London on Sunday. the Cd Of April. Er. Co0een
had been for several years 10 feeble health, ana
Lad but recently veatured 20 conc to London, ID
orde- to take part in the debate on Canadian az
fairs. His intimate i-iead, JcEn Bright, Has win
him in his dyi.g hours.
Eichard Golden was bern Ia 1904, ai DCIafCrd.
near Medhurst Having early lost his father, who
cultivated small estate at Duruiordi he was mi
taled into business by his uuclo. Becoming q ira
veler on commission, he found opportunity 70
Journey through Turkey, Greece, Egypt and tao
United States. He subsequently settled in Man
chester as cotton manufacturer and soon began 70
attract tentinn BY two pamphlets in which he treat
ed political questions from commercial point OF
view. In 1888 the memorable agitation for the re
peal of the corn laws commenced, which, under
the able leadership Of Mr.. Golden, resulted in the
complete success ofthe Anti Corn Law League Sir
Robert Peel in the House of Lords and Earl Grey
paid 70 tie talents and the integrity Of Golden the
highest tribute OF admiration. Earl Grey said that
TO his genius and perseverance were they indebted
for the achievement of what he believed to be one
of the most important measures with reference TO
the Guture welfare of the British people that ever
received the sanction Of Parliament. He had
achieved this triumph by means altogether unex
ceptonable; all his efforts had been addressed to
ward converting the opinion of the nation, and he
must gay that bis success appeared almost niracG-
lous.
In 1853, on returning from another visit to the
United States, Mr. Golden was offered seat in
the Cabinet, but he declined SERVING under Lord
PaimcrSton. Ho remained with his irisnd Bright
at the head Of numerically small but influential
us.ty Of reflrmers in the House Of Commons. lie
took prominent part in most Of the great ques-
tons dis used by the Parliament, and especially
q e gulShed himself b. his spec chs favor OF
policy OF non-intervSnti0n in tOregn wars, and Of
commercial treaty with Frarce. His
speeches made profound impression upon the puo-
recent ocCa aston he Mayor OF RochGa justly called
i'm, one of tie great educators OF the English peo-
pie.
Ever since .te beginning of our war Golden has
shown the warmest sympathy with the cause Of the
Union. Though bis views on Commercial legisls-
ton were not those obtaining among the majority
# American statesmeu, be on every occasion used
bis eloquence for showing 70 the English people
that war is really war between progressive
civilization and reactionaTy despotism, and the
sympathy which tAe labo-iog classes of England
have always shown with us Is largely due 20 bis in
huonCe.
On tho day after lis death, Pslrnerston, Dis
rseIi snd Ugh; spoke in the House Of Commons
Of Tho gr.at loss which the English Nation had SUI
terci. Bright, overcome with grief could only say
these few ordS
s.Sir fee tha: I csnnot address the house on
this "ccaSlnr but every expression Of sympathy
Viii have heard has been most grateful 10 my
h, art. bu the Time which bas elapsed since was
pre>ert when the manifest and the gentiest spirit
that ever actuated or ter anted human form took
it, Il gu is ia Ut tia dare not even attempt 20
give II teran to The feelings by which am cp-
pr. cd. shall leave IL to some calmer mt meat
" 81; nay have opportunity Of speaking to
- M" . ton az Iay countrymen the lesson VII ch
think ms - earned from the life aid character Of
ms cnd. have only TO say that after % years.
al no II nate and most hrotherly friend hip with
him. IN nl,w how much T loved him until
found ,h,t / mad LOST him."