The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-05-13

In the notice Of the death of the late JoHS
Il. ErMuSDS. in yesterdays Dispatch, we
stated that the last year of his service in the
Legislature was 1856. He served in the SEES
sion of 1923 in which his excellent judy
,urnt and practical wisdom were of great
value H. The state.
We did not say anything of Mr.. EDMu Sps' s
politics. The fact l.. the peril of the State in
these days has excited an anxiety for the
public welfare that has dwurfed the impor-
lance o: parties of days past, and diminished
''l, interest we feel in them, and we take
pleasure in looking at meu and their
labor. separated from their party rcla-
items. Indeed, the ptrlir> OF former DAYS
were distinguished from one another more
tot the purposes OF party organization than
for the public defence from Qny real danger
The Wing party differed but little from the
Democratic; and even before their day the
Republican ana Federal parties were sepa-
rated hy very tincly-drawn lines. Jealousy
more than any wcll.dcfned principle or mca-
sure kept up the party organizations from
the beginning of the century to the late civil
war. The Republicans were Jealous of the
"ncroacmnent> of the Federal Government
up"n the rights of the States, and the Fede-
raliSt> were fearful that the extreme jealousy
Of their anniversaries would cripple the Coz.
crnlncnt aud impair it, power to promut,
The general welfare and secure the common
defence.
But nothing was really done to weaken
he State authority or to shackle the Federal
Government. The nation went on swim-
MinEly. and peace and prosperity prevailed
everywhere. Jealousy of power and I'M
tagging vigilance are the safeguards Of lib
rrty-especiaIy SO were they OF the rights
and liberties of the States. The De.
moclTtic party was the heir to the
''e'lrr>onian- Republican party, and the
Wing party indirectly and partially
Ill: inherltor of some of the ,irw>
of the Federal party. But tue Federal party
III no time contemplated any encrca:Eul.p,s
uocn the rights of States; certain, none
bearing the rcmoteSt resemblance to the out
RACES upon both the National Constitution
and the right of the states pcrpctratcd by
The t,rannical and mi,clllcd Republican
party OF this day. The Viii. party was. if
possible. even less TO be suspected Of any
want Ut respect for the rights of the States.
ihe southern portion of that party was
known is states Rights Wings. {.
Not 10 wander too far from the object, Mr..
EnMrsps was Il Democrat He cume into
public life while the party was yet called
Republican, In Il few Years that uainc
was given up for thut Of Democratic to
crafty the growing spirit of demagogism
Mr.. RrrCHIE and other leaders OF the old Re.
pubicans fought against the change; but
they could not successfully resist the tide.
Mr.. EDMUNDS was Il favortc with Mr..
El1cDIr, and Mr.. kircnlE's Enquirer did full
Justice TO Mr.. EDNuADs's signal services aS -
.'urtsan as we'll as statesman.
The name - Dcmocrat" was, however. no,
suited TO him or his party. He rs well rs
his party was Conservative. He WINS on.
po'cn 10 'Ec dortiinc of the supremacy Of
numbers III the Federal system. He was TO,
Tue strict construction of the Constitution
and ~ far as possible the prevalence of the
VOC" o! the States in the general legislation.
lie, like all Of us. knew that there never
"as Iaity really democratic in this no,ion
ontl' The birth Of the present Radical party,
''fha'heo Republican,. That party bs,