National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-01-04
AN ABLE EDITOR,
one who Hed shs, Van for tIsc HsrniJust.r
Vovcrn~ut a., Virginia

Movements in virginia.
There Is no one who hos contributed nore to-
ward the success of the Liberal party In Virginia
than William G. Elam, editor Of the Richmond
wig, lie hps CombattCd ingle-handod with the
combined bourbon press OF the State, bonded syn
diCnies, and wealthy corporations. His energy,
ability aud personal courage were indispensable
70 the party IN n campaign marked by such Bit
terucss as tho, one through which he has just
passed The bold nnd ablo editor of the organ
Of the Liberal party was born NJ Fayetteville, N.
G., In the year 1899, or highly respectable parent
age His father died when he was but six years Of
agc, leaving widowed mother aud several chill
dren. Young Elan, after receiving common
school and academic education,
ENTERED THE LAW SCHOOL
Of Chief. Justice Pearson, of North Carolina grad
uaung from there at bis majority, aud was
licensed by the Supreme Court OF the State to prhc-
tlce law In oil the courts Of that Commonwealth.
lie was u close student, both ut the academy and
law school, soon becoming noted as fluent de.
batter in the academic societies. aud afterward
made great reputation as young political
Old Whig school. When that patty in his State,
mscd with the native American or Know Nothing
party lie acted with the Democrats; in 1860 ho
was Douglas Democrat, and strongly opposed the
secession Of the Southern States from the Union,
thereby incurring much Odium from the extreme
irc-egters Secession being accomplished, he ac-
service, remaining in the army until the clOse ofthc
war, participating in all the principal battles in
winch Lees army was engaged. Duriugth war he
married Virginia Indy, and has ever since
MADE vmGISIA his HOME.
Having written much for the political and liter.
nry press from buyhOod, Ills inclinations we're for
journalism; aud he cnturcd journalistic life after
the war. lie contributed series OF articles TO the
Richmond Wig lavoring voluntary nccepting the
situation as dictated by the results Of the war. In
1866 ho did some editorial work for the Wig, mud
SOOn became the nssocnie editor with Reeves Pol
lard, on the Richmond Erdmhi1, doing most Of the
editorial work on thut journal unit IL pnssed into
other hnuds md was merged into the Richmond
Enquirer Aforward he became a general news
paper correspondent for Northern and Western
papers. In 1877 he cspouscd the cause of readjust.
lnent ns represented by General Malone, and
wrote the first communication for the Richmond
UhiD setting forth
WHAT REIMBURSEMENT MEANT.
lie was q member OF the Conservative convention
from Richmond IN 1877, and voted for General Ma
hone for Governor continuously until his name was
Withdrawn. In 1873 he wus called to the editorial
staif of the Wing and on The retirement OF the ed
itor. in chief hU became his SUCCESSOR, and has
ably edited that journal through the fierce and
stormy campaigns Of 1S79-'Sl.'Sl BY his
sy!cy aud CRiistc editorials he has en-
cUuniercd various personal diihcullies, one of
which eliminated IN hostile meeting between
hims eli Gnd Thomas Smith, Of WnrrCnlou, Va. Mr.
Eltm received n wound IN the chin, The cOurty
dignity ofthc able Virginia Cditur, combined with
his pleasant munut r., fluent mud versatile Convcr
Siional poweis, never fails to impress those who
visit his sauCtum that he Is tic highest type of n
patriotic aud ChiVnlrous gentleman. The good
work he has done iu beating down the strong and
oppressive yoke of BCurbonisn in the South will
never be forgotten.