Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-06-21
COMMUNICATED.
ANDREW STEvENSON-,7 Portrait.

In 1891, Mr.. Stevenson was, without opposition
elected The Congress of the u s., where he quickly
extended the celebrity he had fairly Always on
the side of the people in their various struggles with
the arisocracy of this country he soon became Ia
voriie with the Republicans of the House OF Repre-
sentatives and exerted his influence against every ar
bitrary encroachment the true principles OF the Con-
s,ituton Very after his appearance in the House
he Mr. John Sergeant OF Pennsylvania and
displayed great powers IN speech he delivered against
the Bankrupt bill the Odd of January, lo22 An ex-
tract from that speech will show how early and unre
seryeLly Mr. Stevenson announced 10 Congress the
character of his politics. and the course he should pur
sue as Representative Of the people:
"Discussons upon constitutional law, and The pow
ers of the General Government, MIR. Stevenson said
he was well aware, from what he had seen and under
stood were not very gracously received in that iouse
especially by those gentlemen who believed that the
powers of the General Government were sufficiently
limited and would gladly them enlarged, and who
Appreciated danger from the Government OF The
States than that of the Union. These doctrines, he
knew had many powerful advocates, both in and out oil
The House and brought 10 their sanction the authority
of potent names. To gentlemen who entertained such
opinions Mr. Stevenson said he satisfied any arsu-
menis which he might urge against the power oil Con-
gress pass this BILL wonld be wholly unavang; yet
he should not be deferred from offering them on this or
any other occasion because they might not be iayoraDy
received as the fashionable doctrines Of the day lie
came into Congress, he said, with some old-iasoneo
notions upon constitutional subjects. lie was one OIL
the few who believed that eonsifuionafy and e'pedt-
rncg were convertible terms or one and the same
thing and who thought the charter OF our liberties
ought he egpOunded, as lis ustrlous trainers m
tendfd with Jealous eye 10 the rights and objects II
was intended 10 secure, and not as policy and power
might direct. Whilst, however, he avowed very
frankly these opinions, he meant TO express no sei-
me Mt unfriendly TO the General Government or tot
perft ctpxercse of lis constitutional rIgbts-he had no
such dsloyal feelings in his heathe came there re-
solved aid and support the Government, far as he
could, i'll the accomplishment OF the objects Tor when
il established but, al the aame tune, with Gee
rooted and uaaleable attachment TO the rights oil The
State Governments, and to the maintenance Of which
he looked as the only efficient means OF preserving he
Union, and the freedom and happiness oil the people
He should therefore, he said, representative on
that floor always refuse to exercise powers winch were
moi. in his dgment clearly constitutional and If he
entertained any doubt TO the right OF dong so, he
should err upon The safe side, and refuse to act When
ever we are called egislate said Mr. Stevenson
the power must be shewn TO exist under lie Consttu
Ii N and whenever the power OF the State Govern
mens to denied, that power, before can he re-
sisted should be clearly shewn TO be unconstitutional
In 1896 Mr. Stevenson was forced by his public en-
pagements 10 requish the practice Of the law, when
on We him. in court alone, the nagement
Of a thousand suits. lie was, without question, one
of The most gifted and successful advocates, who adorn
ed learned bar then crowded with eminent compei'-
tors for proe sonal distinction. The income from his
fortune was very lucrative and amounted to thousanos
Of dollars every year And preserving, as ne always
did, golden medium between the mlser and Inc pro-
diga, he realized from the fruits Of aborous lie an
ample provision for the of gentleman.
In 1897, he elected Speaker TO the House Oh
Representatives In contest for that station, ne was
opposed, in the Republican caucus, by Philip /. par
bonr statesman of exalted purity popularity anu Ia
Tents; and who has bequeahed to his pos'erty cue
r,shed and stainless In the contest oe'o.e 'e
House, MIR. Stevenson defeated MIR. Taylor, oil Hew
York, who was the Federal caudda'e for the Cha'r
lie was conducted to his elevated seat oy Ms COZ
league, Mr. John Randolph who in the performance
Of that duty, audlbly declared that no member OF 'h'
House was better qualified than Mr. Stevenson 10 ado,'
the Chair. Tie parliamentary elevation 10 wh'cn MI
Stevenson soon raised the dignity and order Oh INT
House. justified this public compliment from the rares
genius Of the age Cool and cautious, ass,duous ant
impartial this triumphant Speaker guided the dei'oe,a
tons Of the House with signal justice, dignity ana abb
tes Undoubtedly the knowledge he acquired IN W. IN
Chair of the Virginia House of Delegates greatly iacl
tated the readiness accuracy and cespatch ne eVhce
in this higher station which tested his versatile power
and confirmed their worth
While member Of the House OF Representat've:
MIR. Stevenson was warmly opposed by sr John nc
ertson who afterwards represented Inc hicnmoh
;, District Mr. Robertson was, for many years. the A
torney- General Of Virginia, successful Lawyer,
now distinguished Judge, and always was PoPnia
; irreproachabie, and able man; but he vainly ende
yored 10 dspace MIR. Stevenson,