The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1867-12-25
Death Of a Veteran Editor.

i Death Of a Veteran Editor.
We are panied to learn Of the dealt
of Edward William Johnston, Esq, a
St. Louis, Mo-, on the 9th Inst. MI
Johnston was horn in Cumberland
county, Virginia, in the year 1893, ant
was tile son Of Judge Peter Johnston
a distinguished jurist and member Q
the celebrated Legislature of 1898 whicl
passed the famous Resolutions. Judg
Johnston raised quite large family o
chrildren, of whom the subject Of thi
sketch was the eldest. Charles C
Johnston, while promising member o.
Congress, was drowned in the Potoma,
in the year 1881. Beverly Johnston il
a leading lawyer in South Western
Virginia, and Peter Johnston represen-
ted Lee County in tie Convention
which passed the ordinance ofsecession,
Joseph E. Johnston is still more widely
know than either of his brothers, as
the late commander of the Confederate
forces in the South West. Through
his mother Mr.. Johnston was grand
nephew of Paterick Henry.
At all early age Mr.. Johnston became
associated with the public press, pro-
fession in which he was destined to
achieve an enviable distinction. He
wasan assistant editor of the New York
Courier and Enquirer, under James
Watson Webb, before the rise Of the
Wing party. During Notification
times he edited a notification paper at
Columbia, South Carolina, was Cal
houn man during his war with Jackson,
but quilted him, as he said, "when he
surrendered to Van Buren," and became
an orthodox member of the Democratic
party. Subsequently to his residence
in South Carolina Mr.. Johnston settled
at Washington as newspaper cores
pendent and acquired wide reputa-
ton by his able and interesting letters
on current political questions over the
signature Of II Segretario. For fifteen
years he was the literary editoro the Ma
tional Intslligencer, and wrote those able
literary criticisms which added so much
to the interest Of that venerable paper.
In 1850 he became the editor Of the
Richmond Wing, but having become
involved in a political quarrel and a
duel with John NJ. Daniel, he lett the
paper in short time and returned to
Soon after the establish |
lnent of the New York Times he wrote
for it q series of sketches on "Great
Takers" which were very generally
read and universally admired. We re-
member lis giving the palm to his
friend, the gifted Warren R. Davis, of
South Carolina, as being the best talker
he had ever met. In 1854, during the
Know Nothing excitement, he was edi-
;or of the New Orleans Crescent, then
published by Joseph H. Maddox, ESQ.,,
If this parish. In 1857 he removed to
st. Louis, Mo-, and was for a short time
he literary editor of the st. Louis Lea
Ter, the organ of the Democracy of Mis-
souri,, then under the editorial manage
nent Of VIM. A. Seay, Esq. now Of this
parish. He remained in st. Louis dur
ng the war, and we understand suffer-
d no little oppression on account Of his
lnown Southern sentiments.
Mr. Johnston, when in the prime Of
ife, had few superiors in those attain
nents which are the most useful to a
politician; and few excelled him Us
eady paragraphist and political con-
roversialist. He welded forcible y
md fluent pen. A few years since,
gben the Wing Revie,o was at its Zen
th, Mr.. Barnard requested Mr.. Web
ter to write an article on Progress"
which should take a Conservative view !
nd have interviewer with it some Of
he fundamental principles Of the Wing !
,arty. Mr.. Webster declined and re-
commended Mr.. Johnston, who placed
he article in the printers hands with (
h twenty four hours. When he joined
he editorial staff Of the St. Louis Lea
ler, Prentice (ot whose paper he was
or many years correspondent said;
though alittle too fond ofarchaisms for |
UT modern style, he is a writer Of extra
rdinary vigor, point and elegance, and
assesses fund Of information surpas-]
ed By no man with whom we have
yer been acquainted Of late years
owever, Mr.. Johnston, under the ac-
ills Of age, had lost much Of
is former intellectual vigor and ener-
y. I9 Z
---- --4uks> psA.---
A Good Joke.
From the Charlotte On. CT News {
The following is said to have occur s
ed at Union Superior Court. A color
d gentleman on the jury is objected to t
n the ground Of inco1npetency. The !
questions are propounded by !
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