The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-06-27

in the management OF tho Enquf0' ~
had tho honor OF having a county named
after him. though that county now no
longer forms a part OF old virginia
WENT TO WASHINGTON.
In 1sc. Welding to repeated importuni.
ties. he reluctantly left Richmond ana
went 10 Washington to edit the admins
tration paper there. In the hrst NUMBER
~ the Union. dated May LIST. 1876. he says
OF himself:
not been "a hours In this city. and Is about
10 tread the boards OF n new and more
co~nsplcuous theatre. without any rehear'
sal of the character he is about TO MI, YET
he throws himself at once upon the gen.
erosity OF his countrymen. lie Is UNI
anecfedly conscious Of his deficiencies. ne
has much to learn: he has a new ana more
extensive alphabet 10 acquire. no mas new
characters to study and new duties 10
perform: he has scarcely twenty acquaint-
sncos I'm the city: but he will strive to
avail himself Of all the lights that he can
obtain. that he may guide his new bark
over the wide ocean which Is spread be-
fora him. He has, above all, TO study
those great foreign relations which are
particularly confded by the theory ana
the letter Of the constitution TO the
guardianship OF the Federal Government.
We shall at least do the best we can. our
opponents are pleased already TO preolct
a splendid failure in the new enterprise
in which We nave embarked. II may be
so. Man proposes but Providence dis
poses but If an ~unfagging zeal In tho
public service can I'm any degree supply
the place OF experience or OF other quail
ncations. we shall not be altogether
wanting to the task we have assumed.
And he thus speaks OF his giving up the
editorial chair OF the Enquirer:
MY lot Is now cast on a different thea
tire. The stars OF my destiny seem 10
point. at least for a time. In a different
direction-but ] can never forget virginia
or her principles. Sooner would my right
hand forget its cunning and sooner would
nv heart forget TO beat, than ] cease 10
honor the time-honored Commonwealth
to love the soil where my cradle was
rocked and my coffin will be deposited.
She has cherished me in her bosom
trusted me beyond my deserts. and made
me what I am. / should indeed. be I'M
worthy OF bearing the proud name OF a
Virginian If | did not carry with me a
heart filled with gratitude and overhowlnS
with affection"
at would have given me q pain which
7 have not words TO describe. If j had
left my political friends amid disaster and
defeat-ir the sun of Nirglnia's gldrr
were At all eclipsed If in any respect the
Old Dominion had been wrapped In sack
cloth and ashes. Far different. however.
Is her condition. leave her In the midst
Of her triumphs. The laurel is still green
upon her venerable brow. and ] can leave
her without the slightest suspicion %
treaGhery or any faint of disgrace.
Younger. but not moro jealous hearts.
stronger. but not more eager arms. are
,.,1,. 70 o.appa.t Iar hammer To their
prudence and their firmness ] commit
that portion OF the responsibility which
has hitherto fallen upon my shoulders
Il leave the old Enquirer with feelings
similar to those with Which the veteran
soldier surrenders his arms. but ! have
the consolation OF rejecting hat ! not
only leave my political associates in the
proud possession of the field Of battle.
but that | transfer my sword TO my own
sons. 1 give IT TO them in charge 10 de-
fend the post that their father has at
tempted to guard for the last forty-one
years-to maintain your principles and
uphold the character of Virginia.
That fall he was elected public printer
to the House of Representatives and the
Senate. but soon afterwards the public
printing was let out TO contract. In 1919
he took one of these contracts from the
original contractor, but in consequence
Of the construction placed upon IL by the
Government. entirely different from lis
own, he lost heavily. Congress made an
appropriation 10 aid him. which only
partially met his losses. He had opposed
Mr.. Clay constantly in all his measures
until he offered the celebrated cOmprO-
mise bill: then he supported him with all
his powers and the result was a recon-
ciliation and the formation of a personal
friendship.
At the election of General Pierce to the
Presidency he gave up the editOrship Of
the Union. intending TO return and spend
the evening of his life among his kindred
and friends. He died in Washington on
July 2nd, 1854. and though he had never
held any prominent official position. his
funeral was attende by nearly all the
distinguished men of the times. including
the President. The pall-bearers were
senators Mason and Hunter. and Con-
gressmen Bocock Caskie and Powell. all
from Virginia, Mr.. Dobbin. the Secretary
of the Navy, and Mr.. w. w. Corcoran.
lie was buried in Hollywood, by the
side of his son. Thomas.
John Hampden Pleasan1s.
Second of the great tho was John
Hampton Peasants, aptly styled the
Bayard Of the press. lie was a junior
contemporary of Richie. being about
twenty years younger.
He was born on January 4. 1897. at
contention" his father's residence in
Goochiand county. Virginia. and there
fore enjoyed in q pre-eminent degree the