, 1862-10-18
THE WASHINGTON STATESMAN.
SATURDAY MORNING. OCT. 1s, 1862,
Death of General Stevens.


Death of General Stevens.
On the outside of this issue of the
STATESMAN will be found an account of
the manner in which Gen Isaac l. Stevens
an honored citizen of this Territory, and
repeatedly a recipient of the sufrages of
its people-met his death. The first re-
port in regard to his fate has been con-
frmed, to the lasting regret of the entire
community. To add to the magnitude of
the calamity, it occurred just at the time
when his talents were being appreciated,
and the highest military employments
awaited him.
The singular mildness and placidity of
Gen. Stevens temper his modesty ard re-
serve among strangers, and the simplicity
which marked his conduct when in high po-
sitions, have created false impression as
to his true character His political con-
nexions have been in measure misunder-
stood, and his conduct misrepresented. OF
one thing we are assured-he has giren has
life for lohat he deemed a Just cause, and
let those who would criticise him too close
ly at least show the same zeal for that
cause or remain silent.
But it is only of Gen. Stevens last days
that we can speak without exciting differ
ences of opinion, and they indeed afford an
easy task for his eulogists. From the day
in which he took command of the New
York Highland regiment he has on all oc-
casions more than met the sanguine expec
tations of his admirers. Even at the
bloody and unsuccessful attack on Seces-
sionville, his division plucked honor from
defeat and extorted praises from those who
fought against him.
When he was ordered to the line of the
Potomac his conduct there was the subject
of commentator. 1t was at time when
accumulating disasters to the national
cause threatened the annihilation of the
army. 1t was time in which Generals
again became soldiers and fought in per-
son in the van and here it was that Gen.
Stevens proved himself no carpet-knight,
but a man of mettle, who could look death
in the face, and die.
On the last day of his life the safety of
the army depended on Stevens and Kear-
ney, and they both put their lives in pawn
and lost them. Who will say they did not
do we'll? Although the loss is irreparable,
they did do we'll. They left behind an ex-
ample that is worth an army to those who
survive They have proven that the race
of heroic men of the olden time is not yet
extinct, and that amid the jealouses of COM
manders and the squabbles of factionists
that there are those who see but the path
of duty and dare to follow it to the grave.
Among General Stevens personal friends
in this Territory his memory will be cher
ished and mingled with regrets at his un-
timely death while there will be preserved
a perpetual recollection of his untiring de-
votion to our interests-the great good
which he has accomplished and the still
greater benefits which, but for the present
unfortunate civil strife, he intended to con-
fer on the land of his adoption. While he
is the last man with whom the people could
willingly part, we can at least remember
that he has been no unworthy champion
of great cause, but one who reflected hon
or upon it.
He has filled up the measure of his fame.
History will do him justice. His name
will be inscribed on the same roll with those
of Lyons, Baker, Wallace and Kearney,
and all those bright spirits, who although
unnamed are not unhonored-
One of the few immortal names
That were not born to die