The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-11-22

seeks to acconsnodate himself to the sur.
Grounding situation, and even then "thc
hand OF the diligent maketh fich." After
viewing the whole field. Mr.. Cowardin
Sformed a co-uartnership with Mr.. III. X.
Enyson, and in 1865 they ksued the Rich
3mond Dispatch. In tll these trying times,
during the reconstruction period, the re-
storation Of State government, Brought on
Hby the Committee Of Nine, the Successive
8gubernatorial contests that resulted in the
8election OF Governor Walker. OF Governor
and Governor Holiday, the Rich
amond Dispatch was the recognized leader
E3of the Conservative party, aud was always
Ssuccessful. During all this time the edito-
1arials OF the Dispatch spoke words OF cheer
2and announcement, kept up the spirits OF
athe faint-heartcd, animated the brave, en-
couraged every work Of internal improve
ment in the State. rejoicing in the compile
3tion OF our extensive system Of railroads
connecting the Chesapeake with the Ohio
and Mississippi, and binding all parts Of
the State in mutual concord and sympathy.
Then some brilliant editorial would appear
5upon the improvement Of his beloved city
Zfichmond-the extension Of her water
woi ks, the enlargement and beautifying Of
her parks, gradipy OF her streets, Rich
mond and Manchester To constitute one
~city, with beautiful river flowing through
aits centre and spanned by railroad and free
Hbridges, contributing TO bring the ties Of
4union and mutual interest still closer.
3Then. again, the readers Of the Dispatch
Ewould be attracted by an editorial headed
a" Old Virginia Fiddlers," "The Old
9Virgnia Ham," and they would for
{get all their cares and troubles in The
olive pictures presented to them Of Jcilcr-
ason, Writ, GiImer. Cabell. Whit Tunstali,
kand apparently nearly all Of the distin-
5guiShcd men OF Virginia who delighted In
Emusic and were themselves rare and ac-
2complished performers on the fiddle, ~ he
swas himself. Then after an interval, the
ScditOr being absent there would appear
yeditorial letters under the signature 'Pil-
grim" or Wanderer," descriptive OF
3trips to Western Virginia. OF the courtesy
sand genuine hOspitalities OF the people VI
FNicholas and Webster counties, whose
fony fault was that they heapcd too much
9kindness especially blankets at night upon
their guests. Then letters from the sea-
: acOaSt OF North Caroliua, with its pure salt
4water and glorious fishing; and then let
Sters from Western North Carolina and
Blast Tennessee, investing everything with
beauty. and men and women with kindness
Sof heart and genial pOlitcnc>s. which in
ygreat part was mirrored from himself.
sSuch was Mr.. Cowardin. Three years
RSincc he was struck with paralysis, and 0f
ecourSc had to rcnOuuco journalism. The
Elbow came upon him while writing An
IeditOrial. lie thus practically died with
ghis armor on--in the midst Of his labors
fand usefulness. He recognized the inter
{vcning period before his death ~ season
Iior preparation To enable him 70 take of
armOr re alluded to his subsequent
{attacks Is the hand Oi death gently tap
Eping. and gently admoni-hing that his end
I ,as ncn; and yet, TO his visiting friends,
lhe was the same genial, kind, polite, con-
Isiderate, and supplemented C0wardir,
Fabounding in anecdotes and incidents OF
the past, making them forget that they
{'Vcrc in the house Of death, until in icay-
ling he would say something to show that
Ihe was fully aware of his condition, and
lthat death would not take him unawarcs
s0r unpreparcd. Pure, guileIcss, genial,
land atlcctonatc in the family circle and
social life, hc established reputation ~
Ian editor and position in society which
fmadc il Joy to hm to speak OF the Dts-
match and his many friends. The last two
IN ears Of his life laye been ~ the gradual
enashing Of an expiring light, and he died
! as peacefully as he had lived, and with the
1pleasant consciousness that his life had not
7beCn in vain. III. 1. CAbELL.