Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1876-03-18
R. II. Dana, Jr.
(CoMMuSIcArED.l


Nav YoRK, March 9, 1876.
EDITORS Free PREss:
The Nec York Tribune Of the 9TH inst.
begins a leading editorial with these sentences ;
"The appointment of Mr. Richard II Dana,
IT,, as Minister to England, is the best selec-
ton Gen Grant has made for any civil Office
since he chose Mr. Bristow IS Secretary of the
Treasury. Mr.. Dana is that finest type of the
American citizen. cultivated Massachusetts,
gentleman" DisfiRgao. II the editor Of the
Tribune decides this question so glibly, then
he must be recognized Judge Of the finest type
of American citizen, and therefore finer type
than his finest" Suppose say arguuenta-
lively that VIM Cullen Bryant is that finest
type Of an American citizen, cultivated New
York gentleman. Ny gentleman is quite as
much the gentleman in the abstract and quite
as much the cultivated gentleman compared
with Mr.. Dana as even the fastidious Judge OF
the finest type might himself require. II |
passed such Judgment | mast consider my
self competent to decide the question, and
therefore as fine or finer than the finest Of my
own types Of the cultivated gentleman. Sup
pose somebody else, say a Nirginiau e'itor, de-
cllres some one of the old school of Virgnian
gentleman the finest type Of an American ciii-
zen. His State produced Washington, " the
noblcst Roman Of them all, and other ccle-
brated fine types Of the genus I F. v; but
would not the Virginian editor be spreading
bis wings a little too wide If be presumed to
decide so sliLly as 10 the finest type of an A.
melican citizen Undoubtedly. therefore
distinguish, aud state the several propositions
Of Mr.. f litor Of the Tribune, Of ourself and OF
tue Vircinian editor with little more accura-
CIV and far more modesty than the editor Of
/ the Tribune has employed: | would put II
thus: Mr. Reid Of the Tribune thinks Mr..
Dana, because he is cultv ted Massachusetts
/ gentleman, the faest type Of an American cit
/ zen; llrsumentatiyelyl think Mr.. Bryant,
because he is a cultivated New York gentle
| man, the finest type Of an American citizen
/ the Virgiuiln editor thinks his model, because
/ he is a cultivated Nirgnian gentleman, the f.
nest type Of an American citizen. But then
accuracy. to say nothing Of modesty. is mol
one of the traits Of the " leading American
| iournal."
The writer Of this communication is person
ally acquainted with Mr. Dana. He once
/ spent several hours in gallery Of painting:
I aud statuary with him as his companion. lie
/ found him 10 be az fat on art matters. Sew
cral elyptic points were learnedly construed
| by him Inscriptions in several modern
tongues were easily rendered by him. Ia ano-
ther sphere he acquitted himself always we'll
/ the Courts In literature he has won de-
served reputation But he is more of stu
| dent than lawyer or statesman, speculative
talent not leadership in statecrait being his
/ strong poiut lie would be but a superficial
observer who should say that that which ba'
/ been objected TO against Beacon street, Boston
namely Miss Naucyism is not found in M
I DIna's character III Harvard Emeritus take.
pinch of snuff in the parlor Beacon street
requires the maid TO sweep the floor as soon as
| the man Of lore changes his seat Mr. Dams
has Beacon street by Inheritance. He is, how
ever, according to the best approved standards
/ a gentleman. lie who makes oracnlar speech
as to his being the finest type Of an American
citizen renders himself obnoxious to the re-
/ buke which hamlet administered to the little
! courter who bore him The feonious challenge
/ from Laertes Wien Osric raved over Laertei
| Hamlet stopped him short 10y telling him tina
such praise argued superiority on the littl'
gad-hys part Let not Mr.. Reid wrap Dan;
/ in his Tawcr- breath"
MI AD.fIRARI