Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-12-13
JOHN ". DANIEL.
Judge Robert W. Hughess Recoliections OF
the Editor of the Examiner"

In response 10 the urgent request OF the
editor Of the BdltimOTedn. Hon. Robert W.
Hughes, Judge OF the United States Court
for the Eastern District OF Virginia. has
written for publication in that journal
"A Paper on the Times and Career Of John
NJ. Daniel" the editor Of the Examiner
To n few personal friends, who were IN
vited to his office in the custom.bouse
last night, Judge Hughes read this paper.
aGordng to all Of them an hours agreeable
entertainment. In introducing his subject.
Judge Hughes gave Il charming picture OF
Virginia in lS45-'ij, speaking OF the intel
lieence and happiness Of the people; the
delights OF rural life under the existing
system; the influence Of the State in nation
a; politics. and Of the focus OF thought here
IN Richmond. where the editor Of one lead
ing political organ had been Thomas
Ritchic. and Of the other John llampden
PloaSanls.
In 1S4G Mr.. Hughes came to Richmond
for the practice Of law. For the employ
mont Of his leisure hours he joined the
Patrick Henry Literary Society. OF which
Mr. Daniel was the librarian. The acquaint-
ance thus made ri1eued into intimacy, aud
when Mr.. Daniel became editor Of the
Examiner Mr. Hughes was selected = hiS
chief editorial contributor, and continued
IN that relation, with brief intervals.
to tie death Of Mr.. Daniel, and
during great part oi the time
of Mr.. Daniels absence in Europe n Mn
i.ter 10 Italy Mr.. Hughes was both pro-
yrietor and editor oi the paper. Thus
closely associated with John VI. Daniel. he
was enabled 10 speak with authority o' hi.
character and uttainments. He talks of
1. frrp, fhn.a tt~bn have
pictured Mr.. Daniel a. an irascible, un-
loving. unforgiying spirit; but the severe
personalities which marked the columns OF
lie Examiner the judge says he always de-
plorcd.
Judge HughcS's paper is not merely a
sketch Of Mr.. Daniel; not simply an cstl-
mate Of hi, abilities and influence ~ an
editor. but l. valuable contribution to the
history Of the tunes Of which he writes. IL
i. indeed. more historical than biograph-
cal. In the latter feature there Is ab-
scnce OF dry detail and abund1uce OF pithy
fact, and in the former the careful CLEAN
ings of close observer are gwen with all
OF the wontcd vigor Of Judge Hughes :
well known style OF writing. Much he tels
Of the unfolding OF events leading to Sc
ccssion: much hight he throws upon the
secession era Itself, while OF war-timcN and
the Ezaminer's part therein he is particu-
larly interesting.
While there i 10 purpose TO hold mp
John NJ. Daniel a. a perfect man, his iault'
are touched as 10y the hand Of true and
tender friend; his qualities Is editor are
trucly recognized, and his devotion TO tried
friends established. 1t is a cOnsiderate
papor. Where the writer differs from
others bis views are expressed with great
tempeiaienesS. The asperities Of the past
are evidently forgotten in the effort t. re-
produce for the view Of the people OF this
dav man who was great leader OF thought
in his time, and about whom Virginia folks
generally are a. fond OF reading A. they are
OF John Randolph OF Roanoke and Edgar
4. Poe