Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1862-10-25


He was ex.oAicio Indian Agent, and %
such was subjected to great trials and per.
plexities in arranging the concerns Of the nu.
merous and populous tribes ON the Pacific
coast. He was subsequently appointed spec.
Black Feet Of Nebraska Territory and the
hostile tribes Of the coast Our readers will
remember the great Indian councils which
were holden during this period, embracing
on one occasion. It was said. ten thousand
warriors. All these responsible arduous and
complicated duties were discharged t" the en-
tire satisfaction and commsndation Of his gov.
ernmsnt.
One Of the severest trials which Gen. Ste.
vens encountered during his term Of Office.
was conflict between himsrlf as Governor,
and judge Lander, brother of thu late Gen.
Lander, then the District Judge Of the Terri
tory. 1t became necessary. in the opinion Of
Gov. Stevens, that he should declare martial
law. He did 90. A conflict arose between
him and the judiciary. The Judge refused
to yield. Sides were taken. aud il seemed
inevitable that blood must bs shed. But the
Governor, by his great GOODNESS and iminova.
| bic firmnrss, riumphed.-Difrrent men have
espoused opposite sides of this question. The
writer has listened to the accounts of many
eye witnesses of the whole scenr,, and is sat.
is6rd that Gov. Stevens was justified in all
did on that occasion.
Gen. Stevens subsequently, represented
Washington Territory for two terms Of two
years, pacl,, as it's delegate 10 Congress. No
man on the floor Of Congress brought with
him more varied and valuable imtormati
upon all topics relating to. our vast interests
in our territories and possessions on the whole
Pacific reist. No man used 1t more eAactu-
ally. Hi was not himself \ debater. lie
was emplatically worker. He could not
do anything but work continually. We new.
~r saw anything like him in that respect.
Hs was capable of more hours Of continued.
effective, mental labor than any man WE ever
knew. Everybody around him worked. His
house. from gnrrst to cellar was thronged
with workers. If anybody wanted to b.
cyammed upon western aff.irs h. went to
Stevens. We once heard Senator Gwin at
lis own table, accuse him of furnishing GER
tain Senator with every fact and argument for
a three hours speech which he had that morn
ing made against his (Gwin's) favorite pro-
ject. ~.
Gen. Stevens politics were Democratic.
| He was member Of the last famous nations al
convention which met at Charleston. and by
adjournment at Baltimore. He represented
the Brcckinridge interest in that body, and
was considered one of its most efficient mem.
bcrs. During the last Presidential contest he
was chairman Of thu Breckinridgs Executive
Committee at Washington. but according to
tho PA.ladelpAia Press Mr. .-EOrney) he dill
not falter in his patriotism. The Prcss
says:
"He urged upon the President the prompt
dismissal Of Floyd and Thompson from tho
cabinet and pressed him to trust to tho coun.
sells of Gen. Scott. He was, during the win
ter, in daily consultation with tho officers Of
the army in relation to the defences Of Wash.
ington, and exercised controlling induence
over them. Fur Theses acts hs deserved the
gratitude Of the country, no less than those
other noble Democratic. Holt and Stanton.
He was fortunately. stimulated in his loyalty
| by his admirable wife aud hrr sister. daugh.
ters of one Of the most eminent lawyers Of
Rhode Island" .It...-
Whcn Consress adjourned, Gov. Stevens
proceeded to Washington Territory. but ~.
turned a. soon a. he heard Of the firing on
Fort Sumter, when hs came forward with
great alacrity aud rendered his services to ths
government in a military capacity. HI frat
secured colonel's commission. and took com.
mand Of the famous 10Th New York High.
land regiment ct . time when the soldiers
were in open revolt. The conduct of the
corps since has demonstrated the value Of his
discipline, and the soldiers Of the regiment
have testified their appreciation Of his ser
vices and love Of his person by presenting
him with most costly and magnificent sword