The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-08-12

ceiving his sympathies, and we're earnestly de-
nounccd.
In connection with Mr.. Stevens course in
reference to the public school system, an inter-
estipg and characteristic suecdote is told. As 1t
has never appeared in print we give place to it
here, to Illustrate the generous impulses of a
man who has frequently been accused of total
lack of that quality. certain lady was SO
pleased with MIR. Stevens exertiops in behalf of
the school system tnat she commemorated them
in a short poem. This came under the notice of Mr.
Stevens, who declared 1t to be gem ot1ts kind.
Subsequently his attention was again directed
to the poem by a prominent justice of our
Supreme Court. Mr.. Stevens expressed his
hearty appreciation OF the compliment, and
inquired what would be fitting response on
his part. His friend informed him that the
author of the lines was the owner OF farm
which was heavily mortgaged, and that she
was unable to clear off this incumbrance. He
then suggested that Mr.. Stevens might satisfy
the claims of the mortgage and present the
release to the lady.
"rl do It'll" responded Mr.. Stevens, promptly,
and he was as good as his word.
HIS Opposition TO Hsnry Clay.
Although Mr. Stevens was always an uncom-
promising opponent Of technical Democracy,
aud thorough going advocate of the leading
doctrines of the great Wing party, he was still
more of an auti-Ma on than Wing, and from
his decided convictions on this subject taken III
connection with his anti.slavery proclvitles, he
was brought into antagonism with the national
leader of the party, and strsnuously opposed the
claims OF Henry Clay upon the Presidency, both
in 1910 and in 1874; for the reason that Clay was
a royal Arch-Mason, as long as Masonry con-
tinued vital issue, and after that because of
the latter's associations and sYmpathies with the
pro-slavery party. But he placed too great a
stress upon the necessity OF party discipline to
permit himself to oppose the election of Mr..
CLAY when he had once received the endorse
ment of the political organization with which
he acted.
His Removal to Laacastsr.
On the expiration of his last term of office as
a member of the State Legislature, in IS42, Mr.
Stevens removed from Adams county to the
city Of Lancaster, where he resided during
the remainder of his life, maintaining, also, a
separate establishment In the city of Washington
during his Congressional career. After this event
several years we're again devoted principally to
the practice of his profession; and it was not
until l84S that he again appeared prominently
in political life. .....
| HIS FiFAt Congregational Career.
| In that year he was elected member OF the
| House of Representatives of the Thirty-first
| Congress. His advent upon this new and
broader stage was beheld with anticipations OF
failure by his enemies, and not without some
mfgivings by his friends. 1t was thought by
those who had not yet learned the strength OF
the man, that he would there be completely
| oyershadowed, and that his local renown would
be Of no avail, as far as his ability to command
an influential position was concerned. Perhaps
they were not mistaken in the result, but his
failure resulted from other causes than his weak.
ness. Having committed himself to the anti
slavery movement, at the very outset of the
agitation of the questions connected with the
Wllmot Proviso and the compromise measures
OF 1850, Mr.. Stevens became the leader of that
wing of the auti-Democratic party in his
neighborhcod, known as the "Wooly-headsn In
distinction from the "Silver-greys," who sup.
ported the policy of President Fillmore. This
course greatly impaired his strength with the
people OF his district, and, although he seeured
a denomination and reelection in 1850, In 1852
he was practically defeated for the former, and
again forced into comparative retirement.
His Second OOngressiOnaI Career.
But in 1858 he again became a candidate for
Congress and was successvely returned to the
House OF Representatives at every election up
% 1866, In the following table are given the