The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-11-28
A ReautifuI Tributa

We cannot forbear to publish the follow
ing letter from the venerable WnLrAA
FRAZIER, OF Staunton, himself one OF the
very men whom he so happily describes. and
one whom the deceased whilst alive counted
amongst those OF his friends whose esteem
was dearest TO him. 1t is the sincere
tribute of a warm personal friend TO the
character OF the late JAMES A. CowARDIN.
We can add nothing to it. 1t is beautiful,
appropriate, and feeling. Mr.. FRAZIER
writes:
STANTON, November "a, 1882.
Dear Mr.. DrinkGrd:
have read with the deepest interest and
yet with mournful pride all tnat you and
the Virginia press have so well written in
memory OF our departed friend. Those tri-
butes are so lust in their analysis OF his ge-
MUS and their estimates OF his character as
man, and the value OF his work as sour
nalist, that feel there is no room left me
to lay upon his honored grave (as in the
first moments of my grief had thought OF
doing my humble Offering Of private friend
ship. | know il would be work OF super
erogation, and could not add in the least TO
the popular appreciation Of his worth or the
public grief at his loss to the Common
wealth. My acquaintance with Mr.. Cowar-
din began in the fall OF 1912, and soon RI
pened into friendship which not merely
suffered no abatement but grew in the forty
Years which have si5ce elapsed.
To one who had not intimately known
him personally and yho had not watched
his editorial career through many years the
portrait you have drawn of him would
probably appear overdrawn and its colors
heightened by a too partial friendship.
But it i3pot so; and the reflex that comes
back TO you from the entire press of the
State land reproduced in your columns to
the great satisfaction Of your host of read
ers) shows that your Judgment is shared
aud approved by the brotherhood of the
press irrespective Of party.
You have spoken of him rs q leader OF
public sentiment in Virginia. lie was, in
deed, at once leader and, exponent OF the
best popular opinion ia ear state in many
trying crisis through WHICH we have been
called to, pass. have sometimes asked my
self, TO what was this due? ] think IL was
because bewas himself typical Virginian,
and OF the best type-0ae who, imbibing
with his mothers milk lovefor his native
State, and stamped with native integrity, a
vigorous mind, and warm, .affectionate
heart was early thrown upon bis own re-
sources to light the battle Of Me. From
boyhood he was thrown amongst men, and
with such qualities as l have here indi-
Gated, and which all accord 10 him, II
could Rot but happen that beweald both
fmpart and receive the best impressions.
A long and close intimacy with our people
brought him thoroughly acquainted with
their genius and character. An eafiy and
lifelong association with mary o; her
leading public representative men, con-
Jointly WIKI his profession OF journalist,
trained him tothe contemplation OF great
public quexions from an elevated siand-
point. And so being in hearty unisonyith
the people as himself one Of them, he could
instinctiyely divine their thoughts and
feelings; and equipped at all points rs a
Journalist, he could point out the path of
duty and safety and guide them in it.
but why should / attempt to draw fo,
you or others a character which has alread,
been drawn by far ahler.pens These have
recalled by brief reference a few ~ bis
most striking and attractive works. and sIi
nave paid anectlona,e tribute TO bis charm
ing personal traits. With ahem feel that
tne world IL better for that James A. Co.
Wardin lived In IL, aud lived To attain N |
ana pass. the "threescore wears and ten y
s T. w. +.
r.s. The day before his death had |
completed my threescore yesrs and ten "
90 nc was my senior by one year one
month and one day. o"0