Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1859-03-25

active part in the questions OF internal
improvements and districting the State,
which then divided parties.
In 1913 he was nominated for Con-
grcss, on general ticket, ana commenced
the canvass with majority of two thou
sand votes against him, and came out of
the contest with thrty-iivc hundred ma
iority and as he discussed on the stump
matters entirely relating to local inter-
ests, his eloquence and power undoubt-
edly carried the State. His entry into
Congress was signalzcd by extraordinary
circumstances his right to scat was
denied. Stephens. in the discussion that
ensued, made speech in favor of the
power of Congress to district the States,
though he was elected in defiance of the
law on general ticket, and then left the
House to decide upon his claims he was
permitted to take his seat.
Up to this time Mr. Stephens was
prominent Wing having been bred in
that school of States rights men of tho
South who sustained Harrison in 1910,
but upon the question of the annexation
Of Texas coming up, he favored that
bill, and for the first time affiliated with
the Democracy. In the contest between
Taylor and Cass, he supported Taylor.
On the compromises of 1850 he was
willing to support any measure that did
away with Congressional restriction,
leaving the Territories to come into tho
Union with or without slavery. In
the Mexican war he stood beside Mr..
Calhoun, and held that the troops should
not be advanced but after tho war COM
menced, he sustained it with vigor. -
The guarantee that four slave States
should be carved out Of the Territory Of
Texas was secured mainly by Mr., Ste
phens' untiring labor and foresight. In
1854 he advocated the Kansas bill, which
declared null and void the Missouri re-
striction, for the purpose Of carrying out
the principle Of 1850, advanced in tho
Utah and New Mexican bills. The year
1855 was the most interesting and criti-
cal period of his life, which he spent
fighting the Known Nothing organization,
in the commencement Of which he found
all his early friends and associates for tho
first time opposed to him. In the month
of May of this year he wrote his eelc-
brated letter against the order, addressed
to Col. Thomas w. Thomas. The effect
of it was overwhelming, not only in his
own State, but in Virginia aud the ad
joining States. His position was sus-
tanned and commencing with three thou
sand majority against him in his own
district, he came out Of the contest with
nearly three thousand majority.
When Mr. Stephens rises to speak
there is a sort of electric communication
among the audience, as if something was
about to be uttered that was worth list
ening to. The loungors take their seats,
and the takers become silent thus pay
ing an involuntary compliment to Mr.
Stephens talents aud high claims as II
gentleman. At first his voice is scarcely
distinguishable, but in few moments you
are surprised at its volume, and you are
soon convinced that his lungs are in
perfect order, and as his ideas flow you
are not surprised at the wrapt attention no
commands His style Of speaking is
singularIy polished, but he conceals his
art and appears, to the superficial obser-
yer, to be eloquent by inspiration. The
lending characteristic Of his mind is
great practical good sense, for his argu-
ments are always Of the most solid and
logical kind hence his permanent in
huencc rs a statesman, while his bright
scintillations Of wit, and profuse adorn-
ment, secure him a constant popularity
as an orator. Possessed Of mind too
great to be restrained by mere partizan
influence, he has therefore the widest
possible field Of action, at one time head
ing a forlorn hope and leading il to vic
tory, at another, giving grace and char
actcr to triumphant majority. Com
mon as it is to impugn the motives Of
many of our public servants, and charge
them directly with corruption, Mr.. Ste
phens has escaped without even tho
faint Of suspicion, an infcxible honesty
Of purpose on his part, as governing
principle, is awarded TO him by his ver-
lest political foe.
The report that Mr. Stephens will re-
tire from Congress at the end of the pre-
sent session remains uncontradicted, vet
we indulge the hope that he only seeks
temporary roposc before again entering
upon active political life. Mr. Stephens
is singularly attached to his paternnl
home, which he not only purchased back
from its owners the moment he had the
means, but he has added many hundred
acres 10 the original limited estate, and
spent much time and money in bringing
il TO u high cultivation Among other
things, the introduction of the vine into
Georgia has attracted his attention, and
we fear that he looks with more iu-
tcrest 10 the success Of his vineyard than
any triumph in the hustle Of Washington
city life. We cannot but admire his mag
nanimity and bis taste, but his country
has claims upon his services and we
question il he will find it possible TO re-
main long in digni6cd retirement though
passed amid the charms Of his native
home.
Rt,- Man is like a snow ball Leave
him lying in idloness against the sunny
fence Of prosperity, and all the good
that's in him mclts like butter; but kick
him around, and he gathers strength
with every revolution, until he grows
into an avalanche TO succeed, you
must keep moving.
Rg \ way to plcnse others, il 10 be
.iulous Of pleasing ourselves.