The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-11-30
Friendships Offerings.

Friendships Offerings.
We continue to allow our readers to
share with us the pleasure OF reading the
| tributes OF respect, esteem. admiration,
and affection which continue TO come to us.
THE DEATH OF Mr.. J. A. CowAIDiN.-
On the cars We saw the mourning lines on
the Dispatch, and found, what we feared,
/ the announcement OF the death Of IFS Sc
Nor editor. Mr.. James A. Cowardn. lie
was the patriarch OF our press. Age mel
! lowed and sweetened his life. lie was the
most genial old gentleman we ever saw.
Many and many times we have laid down
( the pen and gone up TO his high editorial
room TO salute him and have a story OF the
/ old-timc politician or noted citizen Of the
ancient days. How well and richly he
told his anecdotes He had large col
! lection OF curious incidents in the lives oI
public men. lie had served on the En-
qotirer with Mr.. Richie.
His connection with the press covered o
large time. He instructed and delighted
: his own generation. He had no deadly
feIIdS. There was no bayonet on his rifle.
/ lie never stabbed an antagonist.
| lie held with the Historic Church, but
was ever ready to mention with kind
words whatever good mon anywhere did
for our holy religion. He was broad and
revercnt. We have talked often OF the sa-
cred mysteries with him.
God rest the soul OF our friend Rich
mOnd Christian advocate (Rer. j. H..
LGfdfW.
LYNCuBuRG. November u. 1882.
c. OBJ. CO,rardis, Esq:
honored father and mysclf-Old journal
iStic friends-met on pleasure excursion
at Old Point. and had most delightful
time together in social intercourse. At
the close OF long evening, and when
about TO separate, we were seated together
on the porch OF the Hygcia Hotel looking
ont upon the white sails Of the vessels a.
they passed to and from the sea, at the
gentle cbb and flow Of the tide aS its foam
ing waves broke softly upon the
sandy beach 1T our feet, and upon
the beautiful and gorgeous landscape
that was gilded by the rolden rays of
the setting sun. Everything was lovely
and enchanting, and Is we rose 70 depart
in different directions a soft Of pleasura-
bic sadness seemed to come over his spirit
and light up his face. as il his thoughts
came from the spirii-land, for his health
then was bad and declining, and catching
me 10y the hand rs we parted, he said {:
Major, we may never meet again; and if
| die before YOU do. | want you 20 rcmcm-
Der me in your PAPER, and ii YOU die be-
fore do yOL know YOU win not be for
gotten i'm the old Dispatch"
Of course the noblc feelings OF friend
ship and sentiment which inspired the re-
IL L. l. 4
nc. for though much younger than he our
chances Of life at that timc were about
equal, and assured him that his Sd ntimeut
was fully rccipr0catod. w met only once
more since-threc years ago at the Warm
Springs, in his native county Of Bath,
where, in the company Of 3 large number
OF our old friends, among whom w"lc
General Eppa iiuntOI, Hon. y. Randolph
Tucker. Or. Cox, Colonel Eubank, and
others, we had a most delightful Iciinion N
social enjoyment. BY old friend was still
rapidly declining, hut his mind was rs ac-
tive. his spirits as gay, and his fund oi an
ecd0tc and humor a. cNhlu.,lOs> as in his
palmiest days. When h. left the noun
tains, which he did sooner than myself and
other friends, he again reminded ne oil or
cold Point agreement" with the sad r.
mark added, 1T viii not bc long now,
Major; and the agreement has always
had Il fixed place I'm my memory. and in
pressed me, too, with the sadness Of our
passing away.
But now the silver thread is severed and
the golden goblet is broken, and how ann !
to properly or satisfactorily perform the
promised task OF paying suitable tribute TO
the memory OF my departed friend, James
\. Cowaltin | confess my utter inability
TO do 50. had scarcely read OF the sad
event or had time 10 give moments
thought 10 put pen 70 paper before other
and more capable friends. and i'm iact the
whole press Of The STATE. bed paid feeling
and deserved tributes TO hi- memory.
see nothing now better that ! con add 60
what has been fcolinrly said Of him, and am
fully conscious that | could not have said
what has been said hail sOWcl. WeWcrcth
two Oldest members Of the press Of the State
III mean in harness.. and for more taan
twenty-five years had Journalistic inter-
course. For a long portion Of the time we
belonged 10 opposing particle an Old
Line Wing, and | a Dcm0ciat-and fire.
qUentiy we crossed lanccs with each other
on leading issues Of the day; but never in
all OF that long time Of eVCntiul political
excitement did an acrimonious remark or
unkindly sentiment escape either OF our
pens when in controversy, and whenever
or wherever we met he had pleasant smile
on his face, a good old Virginia shake Of
the hand, and something Of good cheer for
Us both. He did moi rank among the ableSt
and most brilliant writers. but for good
taste and style, and sound Judgment and
force Of expression, he had few equals and
no superior in his time in journalism. As
leading and discriminating contemporary
OF this city truly says OF him this morning:
= He was uuqueStionably Il man Of genius
and born editor. His character, in many
respects was unique. lie was versatile i'm
talent, Astounding in humor. and rs genial
as any one we ever knew. When he had Il
subject that called forth all Of his reserve
strength, he could write with singular
force and power. And lie was seli-con-
tanned rs well rs what we call a sCli-made
man. lie achieved what many men do not
victory over himself; for nc ruled his own
spirit, and was, therefore, according TO the
wise man, greater than he that taketh Il
city,"
But will dwell no longer on the charac-
ter and merits OF my lamcnted friend. AZ
ter long and useful public life he has
passed over the river" and rests. no
doubt, peacefully "under the shade of the
trees In the memory OF all who ever en-
loyed his society or knew his worth. recol-
lections OF ms many qualities will always
be pleasant, and to those who follow aftcr
especially the young-in Journalistic
enterprise and distinction his character and
example commend themselves TO their
closest study and highest ambitions.
WIN profound sympathy for You in your
.ueliiy aiiiictlon, am your friend and obc-
"'un S'i 'ah'' Il. II. GLASS.
The following Is from man whom all
VINO Know him hold in high estcem-R. \. /
MARTIN, Esq, of Petersburg:
10 he Editor Of tie Dispatch: