The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-11-25
THE LATE JAMES A. cOwARDrN.
CHE WAS A wELL-RoUNDED MAN."

GLynchburg YirginIan.l
We publish elsewhere the editorial tri-
butte OF the Dispatch TO its late founder and
longtime leading editor, Mr.. Cowardin.
We will not say, rs did Theodore Parker
of Daniel Webster. that there Is no other
James A. Cowardin "lcft TO die; but we
can with all truth say that Mr.. Cowardin
was very remarkable man, and that we
have known but few men who could eN-
actlv fill the niche he occupied.
lie was. umquestionablv, a man Of genius
and born editor. His character, in many
respects, was unique. He was versatile IN
talent, Astounding in hum0r, aud as genial
rs any one we ever knew. When he had
subject that called forth Ill OF his reserve
strength. he could write with singular
force and power. And he was self-con-
tanned. a. well as what we call n sclf-made,
man. lie achieved what many men do
not-victory over himself; for he ruled his
own spirit, and was, therefore. according
10 the wise man, " greater than he that
taketh city"
"Diligcnt in business" he established
and for wears conducted one Of the most
successful newspapers ever known in Viz
oinia. Mild and amiable a, we knew him
10 be. he was. Notwithstanding, possessed
Of n will that never yieldeda principle. lie
WAS true TO his convictions, both in religion
and politics, and never compromised either.
He was a wcll-roundcd man in all the traits
of his character, and deserved the strong
friendship which that character inspired.
In contemplating the end Of our old
friend, we are reminded OF the great i'm
roads which death has made within year
upon the editorial profession in Richmond.
Within that very brief period, or but little
more, Moscley, Chamberlayne, and Co.
wardn-all leading editors Of as many diff
ierent Hummelshine, been taken aYay.
Nor is it a very long period since they
were preceded TO the spirit world by
Daniel John NJ, Dewitt. Peasants Qiugh
r.. Richie (William), Ridgway, Pol
lard. and Aylctt-all leading editorial
writers, and men OF more or less brilliant
talents. Taken altogether it may be safely
assumed that neither Richmond nor the
state ut large can boast to-day such a corps
Of editorial writers rs those mentioned
above. In other connections ii Is said
"GOd buricS his wOrkmcn, but the work
goes on" And 50 may it be with the
press OF Virginia, that has TO lament the
loss of 50 many able workmcn.
a MAN TO wiz MEN TO him."
Industrial Soulful
Although for scyeralyclr past the health
OF Mr.. James \. Cowardin has been 80 deli
cate as to hold his relatives and friends in
almost unrcmittin@ apprehension, the an
nouncemcnt OF his death in the daily papers
OF wednesday morning was shock to thu
thousands OF people in Richmond, of all
CLASSES and calinS>, who knew him. cs-
tccmcd him, and loved him. And to the
limos, circle OF those who were nearest 10
him, though so long expected the blow
fell heavily upon the hearts OF them all.
Mr.. COwardin WI. man to win men TO
him. He had high qualities. sterling yir-
tues, and extraordinary judgment. TO COM
mand the confidence and esteem OF his fcl-
low-mcn. In social charms and gracc> he
was so Exceptionally attractive that even
strangers, casually meeting him for few
moments, long afterwards remembered
him. Nature had clearly written Mr.. CO.
wardn's character in his face; his strong.
gentle, and luminous eye showed great
kindness and fine courage; his ingenious
smile showed unSuSpccting simplicity and
candor: the general expression Of his
manly, emotional, and playful features
showed his honest heart to it, depths. with
out stain.
As editor of the Richmond DiSpotch.
Mr.. COwardin for many years exercised a
great influence in Virginia; and all over
the state he leaves hosts OF Sorrowing
friends who had no personal acquaintance
with him. \ good and gifted man i lost
TO Richmond and to Virginia.
she WAS ABSOLUTELY INCORRUPTlBLE."
fStaunton Vindicatorl
On Tuesday afternoon last James \. Co.
wardn. for nearly thirty years editor OF
the Richmond Dispatch, ended long and
useful life. il j. not an easy task for those
men in the profession who worked with
and under him, and there are many OF
them scattered through Virginia journal
ism, TO speak with the cold. clear judy
mcnt with which the final furl6ugh OF a
great journalist should be treated. For he
was truly great: 80 far above the ambi-
tiOn>, the weaknesses, the little tcmpta-
lions OF the men OF his day. that it was
hard for them 10 measure him. lie was
absolutely Incorruptblc. whether bv pri-
vatc interest OF friendship or by ambition.
Neither money, nor power, nor place. nor
good or evil report could >wcryc him Il
hairs breadth from the path his conscience
pointed out to him. The clamor Of his
party friends nor the denmciation OF party
enemies moved him. He was his own
judge and viewed his own acts with more
rigid scrutiny than even his enemies.
So much for the man. A. IN editor he
was equipped at all points. Sci-cducatcd,
he was The most learned man that ever
wrote for the Virginia pres, with perhaps
one exception, William Edward Johnston.
OF Johnston, who was his cOtcmpOrary. he
had this advanta"e--he was more thorough
and better guarded. Mr.. Cowardin'> learn
ing was entitled TO the term "ya,t," a. We
look at il. His reading was Of 20 wide q
character and 30 varied that il was hard 10
find a subject with which he wa, not per-
icctly familiar. or to imagine a situation in
his own particular sphere oi which his
genius did not 1T once make him master.
But he has passed from the busy scenes
OF his busy life, and in their affection il
will be a source OF pleasant reflection 10 hi,
friends TO feel that the world i better for
his having lived in il, and 10 know that the
eloquent and touching tributes TO hi, worth
and TO the work OF his life which come up
from the press everywhere ia the State and
out Of ii are no empty words, but the genu-
inc, hearty expression OF feeling from those
who knew him well and will never forget
him.
4 Curious Jewel.
sneak-thicf has stolen from a repairing