The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-03-16
Virginia Journalists.

the Writers and the warm and noble emo
tions which throb and beat within. 1t is a
pleasant relief in these times Of bitter pollt-
ical criticism and comment, in the turmoil
and contention of factions and the fierce
gladiation of the prominent actors in the
transpirng scenes, to be made cog1izant OF
these higher sentiments. and TO realize that
with all the seeming passion OF opposing in-
terests and the riyalries of intellects in their
devotion to party, there remains deep down
in the heart that feeling which makes the
world akin. The new made grave, with
The clods of the valley fresh over all that is
mortal of friend or foe, is a sermon. teach
ing how brief and uncertain. at best. is life
and how memorable is death. 1t is in such
a presence that the vanities of human strug-
giles and ambitions fade into utter insight
icance, aud the thoughts are drawn away,
for the time. to contemplation of that
other life whose impress is made here,
whether for good or evil, and to which all
are rapidly fastening.
| The remembrances stirred by the refer
ences made TO the death of the gifted Cham
! berlayne. recall to our mind the brilliant ar
ray ofyouth and genius which have adorned
the Richmond press in our journalistic eX
perience. We glance back over more than
a quarter of a century, when we first en-
| tered upon the duties and responsibilities
of editorial life, and bring up the names of
those who have been contemporaries with us
during that period. Probably no State in
| the Union has produced more culture and
ability in the field of journalism than Vir-
ginia within the past thirty years. Some
| of these brilliant and versatile writers have.
like the lamented Ihamberlayne, passed
over the river TO rest nnder the shade of the
trees,' others have entered other walks of
life to achieve distinction, but not one of
them to-day. is connected with service
which brought them before the public as
The moulders and directors of public opin-
ion. The younger Ritchies, Jno NJ. Daniel.
| Patrick Henry Aylett. o. Jennings Wise.
Robert Ridgway-men who elevated Vir-
| ginian journalism to the highest plane
have gone the way of all flesh, and to that
bourne whence no traveller returns. OF the
| living. Robert w. Hughes no. adorns seat
on the Federal bench in Virgnia-Roger
| A. Pryor is among the distinguished law
ers of the Empire city of the Western
continent ranking among the most etfec-
tive pleaders of that singnary able and
brilliant bar and Wm. E. Cameron graces
| the gubernatorial chair of the old Com
| mOnweaith.
| These trenchant and versatile writers diff
fered in their styles of composition and the
arrangement of their sentences. The two
! that most resembled each other in the man
! ner of presenting their thoughts were Pryor
aEd Cameron Both wrote gracefully and
smoothly and whatever theme they touched
WAS clothed with freshness and vigor that
| rjvited attention and commanded admiration
| Daniel and AyleGt. now dead. and Hughes.
| living, made the Richmond Erdm,ner a
power not only in Virginia. but throughout
the country. Daniel was mercless in the
severity OF his criticisms. HIS writings
We're better calculated to tear down than to
build up Aylett was classical, satirica
and brilliant: Hughes. bold, aggressive.
and logical in his di,sections, with a wealth
Of language and vigor of express ion that
swept over the mind like a resistless, but
| teady stream. Under the guidance ofthese
| three remarkable men, their diversified men,
talites working for a COMMON end, the Er-
GnsiRer was the most inf uential, and We
may say, the ablest journal ever published
in Virginia.
There was much in the style of Ridgway
that sympathized with that of Elan, now of
the Wing, when IN his best vein. when that
brave, brilliant. impetuous journalist con
trolled that paper. Learned, fearless and
self-willed, he reckoned not of cOnse-
quences. but with the audacity of genius
confronted the citadel of his political enc
my, with no thought of compromise or sur
render. And he was as generous as brave.
fhe fiery tierceness of his pen told not of
the tender sympathy and warm currents
which flooded through his heart. Cameron,
at later day, held the Wing to the high
standard where Ridgeway had placed it,
nd by his persuasive and captivating elo-
Quence won for himself place in the front
rank of Virginia journalists
Pryor and Wis achieved their distinction
On the Enquirer, directing its columns at
different times. Differing somewhat in the
style of their writings. yet there was
! ril ciroiluriry in the viUor and rraou
Of their compositions Cameron. also,a one
time, gave to that journal his talent, main
| aiming the symmetry of the splendid rep
utation with which he retired from the
Wing.
Along with this array of brilliant and
distinguished editors, ranks John Hampden
Chamberlayne. ler-e and incisive in his
style; bold, yet considerable in his methods, the
journal he founded and with wifi h his name
viii lie asso, lated as long as it is published.
pXerted marked influence in Virginia, and
was accepted as the exponent of the best
sentiment of the best element of the politi-
cal organ ization with which he was identi-
ned.
Pryor, Wise, Aylett, Ridgeway, Cham.
hrlayne and Cameron were as effective as
speakers as they were as writers. Pryor
probably had more of the popular orator
in him than either of the others. and this
gift has served 10 bring i'm out prominent
ly, among distinguished lawyers. as a Sue
cessfu pleader. Daniel mad no taste for
he platform. His place was the study. and
here h. made his power felt. Hughes is
not what is called a popular speaker but is
logical and forceful-better suited for a de-
lucrative audience than for the masses.
1t might be expected that when such high
spirited and aggressive writers were engaged
in maintaining antagonizing policies and in
terests that occasionally there would come a
clash. and that their criticisms of public
questions and men would occasion some
tunes offence and precipitate encounters.
Young. impetuous and ambitious, there
was more or less of daring. occasionally to
recklessness. in the keen. searching, ex-
haustiye review and comment, and in more
than one instance an invitation TO a differ
ent theatre of controversy was the result.
Wise and Sherrard Clemens. then or af-
forwards member of Congress from the