Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-06-17
FOR TIE ENQUIRER.

~
Whom pressed bv poyerty and disowned by wealth,
worth STRUGGLES LA I'd and rises slow But, then, the
glory Of ascension stimulates the toll ana rewards 100
He who was born aud educa ted on the summit deserves
no credit for the elevation he enjoys IL IS only me- WI"
beayed his earliest breath the cherries recesses OF
nbscur,,c who can with honest pride and exntat'"n,
look down upon the vale from whence, win sure anu
measured pace lie traveilt TO the summit by Tile soil
,arv aid Of his great genius and e1eseons:
In most countries of TN. earth, parimonIal fortune
and hereditary honors lead the way. ie', eve" ~
ENGLAND genius breaks from the letters oil ar'ssocracy'
and yindcates the wisdom of Providence IN the Tor
tunes of man. There, Sir Robert Peel, the son OF
weaver is the lawful Premier of the realm HhIie
Sir William foett, the son oil an humble manuiac.-
rer is the most famous advocate OF The age, the prde
and ornament Of Parliament, and under the gehetai
voice and expectation OF his country destined 10 be-
come the Lord High Chancellor OF kingdom Tile
most renowned among the nations OF The earth
But. in the Republic of the u. , where the ROAD u
honor and peiarment is open To u II should ever be
ranemb, red that citizens however nursed in the lap
Of luxury and ease, discover no hereditary ladders
nor ROYAL way 10 the pinnacle "where fame PROUD
temples shine afar. Here, labor, emulation, abilities,
and perse verance, when sustained By honorable con-
due, and superior paris have always rebuked he Oh
tensve prelensions OF wealth and aristocracy
know nothing that is better calculated TO illustrate
this Wholesome and refreshing truth, than the rise pro-
gress and elevation Of the gentleman whose character
and service. will briefly deneate.
Andrew Stevenson | lately saw IN the centre OF a
maruiice nj group, collected on the pleasure grounos
of the President, where the Strains oil maruai music
animated the charms OF beauty while statesmen, ora
tors senator's and foreign ministers from every land
adorned Ike scene l,s was the nnbrs figure in the
maiestic crowd | had perused the features o! ms
face thousand times but never, until then d;d tan
CIV his resemblance 10 ioudons statue OF Washington,
when viewed from the Eastern angle of the Hall where
il stands in the Capitol of Virginia have since learned
that this fanced resemblance did not originate with me
but that Others inquIsve and CRITICAL have often
observed IT.
The fine person Of Mr.. Stevenson seems rounded
into grace by gentle drmeanor when IS iam,l'af
without coarseness, and elegant without ostentaton
Hs is the dignity which always knows its n1tura
abode and is ever present, but never obtrusIve Ills
con versaon is animated, pl,hy, and bright HIs man
ners are cordial buoyant, and bland. lie entertains
and he edies without particle Of offensive vanity
or unbecoming prde-a wakefu sagacy which DIS
Germs worth, exposes error, and MAINTAINS truth-a
rectitnde which knows no wandering from the direct
line and Judgment which no cloud obscues nor pas
sion dsturbs enable him To he always does
even handed Justice to his fellow lie has rounded
the quarrrs OF his 5ith year, and enjoys the rpened
maturity OF body and mind.
This striking character commenced life as deputy
clerk in county court; but the carte and erce oil TO-
rensic legisaiiou which his humble position required
him TO witness fred his emulous soul to WOO the
rapture of professional strife and he devoted his
leisure hours to the study of the law. Midnight labor
and HOLY emulation mastered elementary science
and practical knowledge; and he obtained the Gus
tomary licence 10 practise law. Without the ana Of
patrmonial fortune, influential connections, or here
ditary recommendations Of any sort, he reached, IN
this arduous and crowded vocation, all the proht and
distinction which ambition could desire.
| But he moi content to move in narrow lane,
and gather the cold and measured honors OF The par
His dlligen, habits his practical knowledge, his ready
appre hension his pungent oratory and dexlerily IN
debate, attracted the notice and commentator oil the
whole Metropolis in which he lived and prac,'sed Ia W
And in 1902 when just of legal age the freeholdefs
of Richmond elected him the Ionse of Delegates,
to fill vacancy occasoned by the resignation oil the
celebrated William Writ For this honor, he competed
with Alexander NJ Rae then Lieut.. Governor OF n
gina, and citizen of experience distinction and aoiii-
ties.
The young and emulons delegate, when seated in
that venerable and famous hail. swes with noble pride
and exutng reco!ections Thrrr public justice wears
her serene, ma es,c men; and under her auspices
Laws are discussed, wrongs redressed and rghls o.
fined. The bloodess battles of immortal minds were
often fought and decided lhcrewh'le the freedom OF
man, the spirit Of the Constitution, and the true Prn
eiples of Republican Government were revealed ana
INDICATED with all the fire aud force which genus c""'u
command and wisdom cnnsecrate to the human hea''
and understanding. In Virginia, the Legislature Is Inc
early fnyorite nurse of political ambition; the "Wa
ma,er oil that notle State from whose pure ana gene
breast statesmen, orators and heroes were
ed into excellence that could not he inferred WIN Tue"
bones. ;,
thought OF the trophies of his predecessors, ana as
PRED 10 initiate their deeds. lie knew that indolen'
reposc could produce permanent renown. re
scorned delights he lived laborinus days; he rouseo
his aspiring soul 10 glorious emuailon mud soon oe'
came comparable 10 any debaer in the body Tor eiiec
tive oraiory persn rraSoning aud parliamentary
services Of every useful sort.
Elected, as he always was, Ivy the suffrage oil the
Republican party, lie supported their principles WIN
signal re al, honor aud nbIlitira.
He framed the Resolution which was offered III .he
House in lsl0-ll 10 instruct Giles and Brent, The ~
GINA Senators, to vote against the renewal OF The chaf
ter of the National Bank; AID supported the right Oh
instruction in an nbe speech
As meri,ed tribute TO his political integrity and par
lamentary powers, he in January, Isl. elec'cu
Speaker to that body he had adorned By his eoquenGe
and enlightened by his diligence and information. ne
was the earliest Speaker whom Richmond had ever
furnished and the youngest presiding oihcer ~hon'
the history of the Commonwealth records This pre-
cocous honor warmly disputed byseveral em'nen'
competitors, among whom was Mr. Robert olahai',
then member from Fredericksburg, now Judge ..
the Supreme Court of Virginia, and one OF the aoes'
men whom that fertile Commonwealth has produced IN
the present generation
About the year lSl5-l6, he announced his intention
10 retire from the Legislature of his native state
~ worthy gentleman