, 1859-03-18

Mr.. B. said to me, Il will try to call the
old man out on politics, aud get him %
talk about Stevens; Ike to hear the old
man talk" When we reached the house
we found the door wide open and the old
gentleman sitting reading his newspaper,
all alone. He very cordially invited us in,
and after we were seated inquired the news
Of the day. We told him VIC had nothing
new Of Importance, and the old gentleman
and myself soon struck up q conversation on
the subject of raising sheep, when oil at
once Mr.. b. interrupted rs by saying,
"Well, Mr. r., who do you think is the
best man for the next delegate ~ Mr.. 4.
threw himself P1ck in bis chair, and after
somewhat gathering bis brows, with great
earnestness replied:-"Why, sir, Isaac
Stevens is the best man this country ever
had; we have tried him, and know him to
be~a good man; we've tried him as Gov
ernor-We've tried him as Superintendent
Of Indian Aifiirs-we've tried him as
Commander in Chief Of the volunteer forces
during the Indian war-and we've tried
him as delegate, and in oil and every po
sition, he has been equal to The task
Hersr found toaRiiHg Why, sir, the abil
ity, the energy, the unparalleled persever
ance aud zeal which has characterised hi:
every undertaking, deserves the praise o.
government, and the gratitude Of this peo
pie; and, sir. l may add (here the old
gentleman showed some signs Of emotion)
he is an honor to the Nation" After he
had somewhat recovered his emotion, he
very calmly turned TO Mr. b. and said
"Now, sir, tell me what Stevens ever done
that was wrong, in the discharge Of hi:
duties" Mr.. B., with suppressed smile
said: "Why that martial law, you know
Here the old gentleman took FIRE, rising tc
bis feet and turning to Mr.. B. with good
deal Of warmth, said: "What in HI has
martial law got to DO with this question
Now, see here, admitting, for argument
sake, that he did do wrong in proelaiming
martial law, who the ID was hurt
nDbody-and even his worst enemies admit
be acted in good faith. Why in that mi
nority report Of q committee, once made in
the Legislature-by his worst enemies at
that tlme-they say that they "belieye be
acted from the purest motives of patriot.
ISM Now sir, il there was nobody hurt,
and he acted from pure motives, what in
the name Of common sense is the use for
any man to keep chewing martial law, aud
splitting out his denunciations Of man who
is far his superior, both in principle and
abilityl But no matter, the people have
sustained him ouce, and if they are not en-.
tirely lost TO gratitude, they will do il
again." and as Mr. Il. took bis seat, Mr..
B. said with a smile (for he could stand it
no longer), Il think so too, and you and
think exactly alike about Stevens, but you
can tell It little better than l can, and
wanted to hear you talk, for like to hear
any body that eau talk, speak In his praise,
for / think he has done more for this
country than all the rest Of the men put
together in It, and l believe In rewarding
merit, and am only sorry that | can't do
something more for him than merely vote
for him at the next election, which | shall
do as sure as live, IL he is nominated
(which he is sure to bc), and so will all the
rest Of our folks; why, brother jim won't
let man talk against Stevens in his house
-he says a man is dishonest that will do
it; but | pursue different course. /
think the more they talk about Stevens the
better Il is for him, for, my word for it, if
them fellows over about Olympia, who are
trying to break down Stevens to get the
Office themselves, can just get rope enough,
they will hang themselves, and Stevens will
DO elected BY a larger majority than he
was before"
Now all this was told in the old fashioned way.
No ahectation 10 = word they did say,
Which made It feast to Democrats soul
For nothing bat truth was there in the whole
You'll find their opinions are close to the mark
Add Il portrays the feelings of Democratic
OLD CLARKE.