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

BY Judge Robert w. Hughes last Tues
day. June 22d. before the Virginia Press
Association, az Charlottesville. Va.
Scarcely any address has attracted more
attention thar this. and well 1t might.
coming. as 1t did. from such a distinguish
ed ex-edifor and present Jurist of sucn
note as Judge Hughes.
In this. the second part OF the adj
dress. three Of Nirginia's great men and
great journalists are spoken OF in de-
ligatful fashion. and will prove an ac-
ceptable contribution 10 the annals OF
Tirginia's ilustrious dead.
The sketches follow:
thomas '.i,chic.
Thomas Richie. the eldest of this great
trinity OF Virginia editors. was born in
tho town OF -Tappahannock on November
9Th. las. His father. Archibald Richie.
was a ScofChman who had emigratod to
this State and was engaged in the mcr-
camille business. His mother. Mary ROane
was a sister of Judge Spencer Roane. who
in his day occupied in Virginia the place
which Chief Justice Marshall occupied in
4he Federal judiciary.
Archibald Richie died when his son
Thomas Richie was only six years old.
and thus IT fell TO his mothers sole care
10 raise him. II was her first intention
that he should educate himself to the
profession Of The law under the care and
patronage OF his eminent kinsman.
Spencer Roanc. bat n very short incursion
into the fields Of that profession con
WINGED young Iutchie that he had no
taste or talents in that direction.
His next attempt TO find "A congenial
occupation Induced him 10 commence the
study Of medicine and he tried to master
this profession by attending lectures in
Philadelphia. but found II still more re-
pugnant TO his tastes than that of the
law.
Abandoning IT without hesitation. he
decided to attempt the profession OF
teacher. and took charge of a school in
Fredericksburg with that end in view.
He found this more congenial than either
of his two first attempts and devoted
himself TO IL with ardor. His taste for
study and general acquisition of knowl-
edge was fully formed and this period OF
notwithstanding was utilized by him in
extensive reading. lie found, however,
that the labors of the pedagogue were
100 much for his health. and therefore
reluctantly gave up his school, and In the
year la3 settled in Richmond and opened
a book store.
AT this time the leading Democratic
paper In Richmond was the old
1t had been for a time edited by Meri-
wether Jones. who was then the public
printer. but he soon retired. leaving his
mpiher. SHELTON Jones. as editor, and w.
W. Worsley in charge Of the printing de-
partment. The decline Of the paper sug-
gested TO Mr.. Richie that there was q
fine opportunity for "A vigorous Democra-
tic journal. in view of the importance OF
Virginia to the Democratic party, and
the tastes of the Virginia voters. Ac-
cordingly. in conjunction with w. W.
xx-,.ef,x. NH, gn-np.rpfa1 with him the
old Examiner having become extinct, he
founded the Enquirer on the 9tn of May,
1885,. He and Mr.. Worsley were both pro-
p~rietors. he having charge of the editorial
department and Mr.. Worsley of the me-
chanical. His prospectus defining the
purpose and policy of the Enquirer will
ever remain "A model. and il is TO be re-
grctted that the modern sensational jour
nails. who so often disregard private feel
.ngs and even decency, DO not oftener
pcrusc it. For instance. I'm IL he declares
that private character was too delicate
"A subject for any p>ulic print. that the
editor of a public ape who prostitutes
ST to personal abuse or party spirit may
he regarded. at least in his own sphere,
almost as great an enemy 10 the press
as the despof who would wish to paralyze
its political influence altogether"
What a comment upon the reckless
heartloss and mcndacious assaults which
under the cloak Of the liberty Of the
press and habitually made to-day upon
public men,
OBJECT AND AIM.
lie states In this same paper that the
object and aim Of an editor should be
10 excite the curiosity of the people on
the great changes which are every in
slant taking place in the conditions of
society, 10 make them more Vigiiant IN
the conduct of their own officers and in
the administration of public affairs. TO
bring before them the prize productions
of their cOuntry-mcn on general subjects
and lead them To admire and initiate the
efforts of genius. TO spread before. them
the great principles of science. TO give
them "A sense oXquisitely keen" 10 those
varying delights from which literature
proceeds. to encourage as much of the
spirit OF party as may be necessary for
the calculation Of unsettled truths. with
out mixing up with it any of the gross
ness of vulgar or personal abuse.
These had always appeared to him to
be objects worthy Of the labors of any
man. however great In genius, and not
beyond the attachments Of any who have
sufficient zeal to pursue them.
He fondly hoped that whenever the time
should come when necessity or inclination
shall induce him TO abandon his present
pursuit he may be able TO lay his hand
upon his heart and indulge the c%onsola-
tory reflection that he has not injured
the interests Of his country and that he
has not dishonored the high provocative
OF the press or his own personal honor.
About a year after the foundation Of
the Enquirer Mr.. Richie bought out the
intere { of Mr.. Worsley and became the
eole editor and proprietor. His conduct
Of the paper had already more than dou-
bled its subscription list, and he again
defined the principles on which he pro-
posed 10 continue its management. They
were substantially the views of jefferson
as set forth in his Inaugural then recently
delivered.
on February nth. 1907. ne was married
TO Miss Foushee. daughter Of DR.. Fou-
shee. OF Richmond. and his domestic life
was serene and unclOuded. Four daugh-
tiers and three sons were the offspring of
this marriage.
In this same year $500 the affair be
tween the Leopard and "Chcsapcakc'
occurred. The Chesapeake had just put
10 sea IN a time OF profound peace, utter
" -unsuspicious OF any hostile attack. her
decks encountered as was usual with fri
gates. hardly out Of sight Of land, her
armament in no respect ready for imme-
diato use. when the Leopard. one of a
British squadron. overhauled her and de
mandcd the right to search her crew for
British subjects. The demand was rcfus