The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-03-04

cratic party In 1877, when each found
the other OH friendly stump. or sitting
cheek by jowl at the councils of the
Readjusters.
None of tile foregoing sketches go back
TO the early days of the Richmond press.
when there We're but two newspapers in
political opposition. the Inquirer and the
Wing.
Thomas Ritciiie. of the former, was an
exponent of the political opinions OF a
majority of the Virginia people, John
Hainpden Peasants in like manner of
its minority. The issues OF either journal
did not exceed one thousand copies when
the city's population numbered but TWEEN
ty-fvc thousand souls.
Three Great Editors.
In this, and possibly ma subsequent
paper, shall have TO do with but three
Richmond edtors-Ritchie. Peasants and
Daniel--or Incidentally. with one or more
of their contemporaries. Whenever. in
Virginia or outside of the State, our
politics becomes theme for discussion,
the name of one or other of the above
mentioned trio comes first to the speak
er's lips. Hugh Rose Peasants. Oliver
+. Baldwin, Alexander Moseley, Robert
Iiidgway, Patrick Henry Aylett. F. A.
Pollard, Robert w. Hughes. Obcdiah
Jennings Wise, Roger A. Pryor. all edi-
press, are no more heard Of unless in
the eclipse of greater lights. This must
be because OF their temporary reign as
party leaders, and of the longcr reign,
filter opportunities and possibly greater.
rhetorical power, of Richie, Peasants
| and Daniel.
| A circumstance not so remarkable as
suggestive of possibilities, Is the appear
ance of Daniel In Richmond a little while
after the elder Ritchie had gone to Wash
1 ington upon the invitation Of President
/ Polk to edit party journal there, and
4 but few days before or after John
Uampden Peasants had fallen in duel
by the hands of Thomas Richie. Jr
Suggestive, indeed Is the circumstance,
for had not the elder editor Of the En-
uuirer left 1t In charge Of his SONS, VIII
liam Foushee and Thomas, Jr., he and
| Peasants might have fired paper bullets
at each other to the end Of their days,
| and John NJ Daniel, for lack of oppor-
| tunity might have died undstingnishcd
| MS a writer in some private or public In
| stitution.
Thomas Richie.
Thomas Ritchle was born In one OF the
| Tidewater counties of Virginia In the
| year 177S. and being without a patrimo-
nia! estate. took upon himself in early
manhood the vocation of teacher In a
Il
| during the administration OF the elder
\ Adams. so we are assured by contem-
porary writer. and began his editorial
lla5ors towards It's close. Undert his
sltillfu management the Enquirer be-
came the political oracle not only of.
/ the Virginia Democracy, but Of that OF
the South and Middle West. Mr.. Ritchc's
| Influence upon tho mass or his country
men was Il power such as is seldom ac-.
quired by u newspaper man. He made
/ md ullmade statesmen. lilo was their
/ Warwick. lis promotions We're all made
1 In the bclinf that they would rebound
| to the credit and advantage OF the great
pf,rty whose tcnets he had early cspoused
and uuaweryingly maintained, IIe never
| hinched In the most critical periods OF
/ his party's calccr-its darkest days.
/ When tho proclamation OF Andrew jack
/ son had forced spne OF the brightest
1 men OF his party out. OF lis ranks MIR.
| Richie. though not approving, yet stood
/ firm.
In The memorable case OF William c.
| J,iNea. one OF his dearly beloved proto.
| ges. who was about TO display tho white
! feather Of surrender to the Wings, tho
| editor Of the Enquirer perturbed inward
| ly as he must have been shown outward
| ~ tho most forlearing temper.
what was this old maii's reward for
so much mnsrfish seryice2-negleci, pow
| or'y, and IL such thing be possible. a
broken heart. lilo died in harness and
/ found rest at last undcr the sod Of the
| State.@he loved wisely and we'll.
| I hnew Mr. Titchie ~ n very enrly
| period Of my life. when his appeared
Ia be q very old man. though not then
SIXTY years Of age. ] used 10 bear Ia
him from timo TO time frequent icas,t-
| geR, aud sohetimes communications from
an esteemed friend and favored CORE.
slo1dpnt "A timid 'Enoclt nj hIa luuf