Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-05-14

OT account OF Il CdtdTrNtl uiuNui'N Nv '"N
compelled, much against his inclination,
to leave the ministry several years ago.
and has never entered it since to perform
the duty of a clergyman, although he has
continued devoted, liberal worker in the
same cause. but in an humber way, to
the present time; and by none in the
community will his absence abroad, al
though in Il post of honor, be more re-
GREETED than by his present pastor and the
society with which he has been accustomed
to worship.
In 1850. Mr.. Stevens became joint own
er and editor in the Kennebec Journal,
with Mr. Blaine, now Speaker of the
United States House of Representatives.
This was at the formation of the republic
can party in Maine, to which both gave
their best efforts, and in the success OF
which they were largely instrumental.
For fourteen years Mr.. Stevens continued
to be chief editor of the paper, managing
its political course with large ability, con-
tributing in an eminent degree by his able
pen, sagacious counsel and untlring in
dustry and vigilance to the growth and
permanent prosperity of the republican
party His political principles were firm
" rooted in his own mind, and it was in
the prominent setting forth of these that
he displayed his strength, choosing to de-
pend upon that rather than upon vitupera-
ton and the lighter modes OF political
warfare. But it was not as writer alone
that Mr.. Stevens contributed to the success
of the republican party. As an organizer
he leaves no superior in the State. lie
served five years as Chairman OF the State
Committee, attending personally to the
labor of organization, giving his attention
to the minutest details of the work requir-
ed, and taking no rest until the campaign
was over When not a member OF the
State Committee he still took an active
part in organizing the party. His services
in this direction are better known to the
few with whom he was intimately associ-
ated than to the many. In 1868, the Jour
nal was the first paper in the State, and
we think in the country, to raise the name
of General Grant for President, and fought
it out on that line till the victory was
won. and freedom and political equality
| fully assured in all the limits of our coun-
try. He served this city and county five
Years in the Legislature, three in the House
and two in the Senate, discharging his du
ties with the greatest fidelity to his con-
stituents and what he conceived to be the
highest interests of The State. Although
always in the thickest of the fight and
necessarily compelled to endure personal
detraction and misrepresentation, he yet
carries with him the hearty personal re-
spect and goodwill of the best members
Of the opposition party, and we venture
to say that he bears no malice or vindic-
tiveness towards any with whom he has
come in conflict.
As citizen Mr.. Stevens is warmly at
tached to the State and city in which he
resides. His best efforts have been given
ly advocated policy for the State which
would increase its manufactures, agricul-
ture and other industrial interests. In
the measures taken by this city to induce
the Messrs. A. & w. Spraguc to improve
the water power at the Augusta dam, he
was one OF the most efficient workers, and
to him there is as much due at least as to
any other of our citizens that the pros
poets of the improvement of Augusta are
as favorable and hopeful as they appear to
be. Always public spirited, he has left
works that will speak in his praise when
absent, and time will only make his merit
better appreciated.
For the safe journey of himself and FAM
lily, his complete success in his mission
and happy return to his home when his
duties abroad are ended, he has the best
wishes OF all in this community, and we
may confidently add, of the large circle
of friends and acquaintances which he has
made in his busy and energetic life. Mr..
Stevens and family will leave this city on
Monday next for New York, and on the
following Monday will leave that city on
the steamer for Rio Janeiro, where they
will change to another line of steamers,
by which they will be conveyed to Mon
tevideo, their destination.
Last evening at half past o'clock, select
company of our citizens called at the resi-
dence of Mr.. Stevens, and VIM. I. johnson,
Esq, presented him a very valuable and
beautiful gold Waltham watch and chain.
The watch was raised by subscription, with
out the knowledge of Mr.. Stevens, the first
intmation he had of such an affair being the
presentation. The subscribers say in the pa
per which they endorsed, that in consequence
of Mr. Stevens being about to go to foreign
land on distinguished mission assigned him
by the government of the United States. they
''desire by some slight token to give an ex-
preston of their regards and to assure him