The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-02-08
From the Baltimore American.
MIR. STEPHENS, OF GEORGIA,

/ Mr.. Stephens Is one of the most remarkable men
OF the day. His history abounds with incidents which,
while they illustrate the struggles which unaided ge-
MUS must encounter In its efforts for distinction and
usefulness at the same time demonstrate she certain
success which ever attends true merit and unyield
ing perseverance, The sketch by himself of an in
incident in HIS early life presents in striking light
| the deprivatons Of his boyhood. The rudiments OF
hiaeducaon were acquired at what they call in Geor
| gia old field school, AT nm early age he was trans
ferred the Academy and by the aid Of some beney-
oen friends who had been attracted by his remarka-
BILE development of talent of the highest order he
was enabled to enter Franklin College, where he grad
uated with honor fully realizing the highest expecta-
lions ofthose who now watched his with grow
ing interest. 1t twas expected that he would devote
himself TO the ministry but II was ultimately deter
mined o'h s Il Dung Stephens s. aimed a indie,
office, and In short time, before he was yet out Of
his minority, was admitted to practice in the courts
by special act of the Legislature of Georgia. A
few years found him in the first rank Of his profes-
sion, and of his first OF his good fortune
to return, with interest the favor he had receiy
ed Wien in adversely. An ardent Wing, he was cleo.
ted represent his county in the State Legislature
in both branches Of which he served with great abil-
iy In the year lS43 there was vacancy TO be fill
ed In the Congressional delegation, and the Wing par
y as usual, were called pom 10 nominate their
didaic. Owing TO the signal defeat of the party in
the general election, which had taken place The pre-
yions year. there was an evident reluctance on the
part of the prominent men of the party 10 enter the
canvass, and il was doubtless owing TO this fact that
:
hope entertained of his election, owing 10 the
| large democratic majority which was known to ex-
st in the upper section Of the State, called the Cher
okec country and his friends consoled themselves In
advance with the reflection that it could not hurt
new man to be beaten for Congress.
| But Mr.. Stephens determined not TO be beaten, If
IL was in his power TO prevent ruch disaster. He
Immediately set oil alone for the Cherokee country,
canvassing every county, and addressing the people
AT every Court House. His opponents, taking the
alarm from, the accounts which reached them Of the
success of his efforts, fastened upon his track. One
after another of their most popular speakers encoun-
tered him. only 10 be discounted and to retire
whelmed with modification at his triumph. The
people followed him with enthusiasm-men women
and children hronged TO hear " the little wire grass
! boy" as they called him, and lost their devotion to
democracy as they listened to his convincing argtl-
ments and impassioned appeals Many Imaginable an
| tcdotes are told Of his meetings with the hardy noun
| ianCcrs of upper Georgia, On one occasion an old
| lady, who had como great distance to hear him,
and had listened to the well directed cloquence of the
| boy, as she supposed until she could restrain her
admiration M longer sprang from her seat and cx-
! claimed" Gracious goodness me il ! could only
have boy like that I'd be willin TO die right now ~
On another occasion, the democrats, seeing that
their speaker was getting the worst OF the conflict
endcayored TO break up the meeting, and several Of
/ them, with canes in their hands, advanced towards
the stand where Mr.. Stephens was then speaking. =
stop shouted an old niountainecr who had been
standing hy, resting double-barrclcd drck-gun,
looking up with broad grin into the face Of the
speaker, and giving emphasis 10 his words by sien-
fcant winks, mods, and jerks Of the head" Stop i"
said he, a. the sne time presenting his gun at the
crowd, Don't one of you lay yer finger on the boy
| I'm as good dmmycrat as any of ye but won
see no foul play. He's tein you nothing but the
truth, and il Of you dares to touch him. ri lei
old Betsy loose among you auicEer'n you cun say
Jack Robinson" The confusion was soon quieted
and Mr.. Stephens proceeded with his speech
/ Thus in one short month he encountered and de-
eo,ed nearly all the prominent leaders Of the opposite
party on their own ground, completely revolutionlz
ing large section Of the state that had always be-
fore given an overwhelming democratic vote. Tho
result was tho triumphant election Of Mr.. Stephens
to Congress and Mr.. Crawford as Governor Of the
State. Since that time Mr. Stephens has represen-
ted his district with ability and has, perhaps, exer
ted greater influence, both in and out of Congress
than any other man In the House, 10 preserve the
harmony and unity Of the national Wing party and
! TO promote Its success.
! Mr.. Stephens Is man Of slight irame and feeble
constitution, Of very youthful appearance with a
! voice clear, musical and child-like. His influence
| with his constituencies almost unbounded based Us
IL Is, upon their confidence in his enlarged patriotism,
sound judgment and unimpeachable integrity in oil
the relations Of life. He is now about IS years Of
age and, should he be spared TO the country no IL
destined 10 achieve still higher honors for his native
State by enrolling his name among those Of the first
statesmen Of America.