The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1869-06-29
Mr.. Raymond.

OcaSus X WHICH LOOK plaC0 WlLuOut war u
ing, and while he was yet apparently in
ful1 vigor, on the morning of the 18th
of June, has caused profound sensa.
| ton. LT8n
This is not to be wondered at. The
man who has shaped the current of a
great daily newspaper for years is very
much in peoples thought !; his influ-
ence, directly or remotely. is cumula-
tive one, piling day by day; readers
wrestle with what they count his wrong
views, and silently applaud what they
count his right views in way that
brings them into Inevitable and familiar
contact with his personality. The sud
den ending of it all must needs bring a
rude shock. Hs3esae
The details respecting Mr.. Raymond's
death-how at three in the M orning he
was found in his own hall in dying
condition, and at FIVE was silent forever
are already familiar. Every journal
Of Importance in the country has had its
comment upon the sad e. ent. All have
!
his immense capacity for labor, and,
generally, to his unmatched qualities as
journalist. Those VINO knew him best
have testified wal mly to his kindliness
of heart, to his firm sense of justice, and
. to his magnanimity. There has been
question only Of his aptitude and sagac-
ity as political partizan.
ai We cannot help considering the doubt
on this score another tribute to his man
Illness. zt
Allied to great party, working with
that party, he could yet never give that
-unshrinking and absolute adherence to.
: all it's behests which forbade free dis
cussion of its conduct, and free recoe-
milton of what promised fairly in the
conduct of opposing parties.
h He was called timorous : but an hon.
est timidity is surely better than false
courage; and there never was particle
Of evidence to show that his sympathies
and convictions were not wholly in uni
son with his utterance on public ques-
tons. '54~ e.3
~ He was called trimmer but he
never trimmed deity enough to reap
the highest rewards ofparty and to do
this as partisan involves, we suspect,
the most adroit and constant and care
fully hooded trimming.
He was not a man Of those deep seat,
ed, ineradicable convictions which make
up the full blooded reform er and which
compel their possessors to press on
through blood and mire { if need beg to>
ward some central issue, careless of all
side issues. Such men have their pla-
ces but Mr.. Raymond was not Of
them. snrs se
He was more nearly allied to the Brit
ish order of practical politicians-view-
ing all governments as experimental
eager to find the best thing to be done
to-day, and pressing for its accomplish
ment with a strenuous will. 5ns" i
To the honor of Mr.. Raymond, it may
be said that his largest and most fateful
divergence from party alliance was due
to his advocacy of generous measures
of cancellation, and Of a magnanimous
policy, which his party and his country
rackoned premature and unwise. But
there has never been the slightest reas-
on to suppose that he acted in this mat
ter from selfish or ambitious motives, or
any other than his own generous in
stincts. ~
There are those who have said that
Mr.. Raymond was cold man, with no
feeling and no care for friends such
men may find their answer on the trem-
ulous lips of those who have been most
intimately associated with him for years
and who speak tearfully of the great
heart he lad. Such gushing testimony
makes all counter-charges weigh lightly
as thistle down.
But most of all, we owe Mr.. Raymond
respect and hearty remembrance for the
reason that his zeal and industry and
courage established upon secure footing
q great daily journal, which has brought
profit and Improvement to thousands of
homes; which has upheld and practised
courtesy in its discussions which, by
dint largely of his personal zeal and eff
fort, has been full and trustworthy in its
record of the times; which has been til
warm advocate Of great charities, and
always unfiinching on the side Of moral
ity and Of progress.
This is great work for even strong
ne an to do and its influence will at;da
For the erest-the, political inadver-
tencies, the austere look which yet could
kindle into the friendliest Of smiles, the
capacious brow, the wondrous industry
and facility, the voice that rung over
listening crowds, the eye, the step, the