The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1889-09-21
HON. JOHN L. STEVENS, LII. D.


at Augusta, Maine, has the following:
Hon. John L. Stevens and family
leave this morning for his new duties as
Minister Resident from the United States
to the Hawaiian Islands.
John Leavitt Stevens was born in Mt.
Vernon, in this county, August 1, 1920.
He was the son of John and Charlotte,
Lyford) Stevens, who came from Brent
wood, n. H., and settled in Mt. Vernon
in 1905. His early education was OBJ
tanned at Maine Wesleyan Seminary,
and Waterville Liberal Institute-the
latter an institution of learning which
was afterwards merged with the Univer-
salist Seminary now located at West
brook. Mr.. Stevens took course of
study with the view of entering the
Christian ministry. Entering on his
chosen profession at the age of "a, and
continuing in it ten years he was finally
compelled to give it up on account OF
confirmed i'll health of a catarrhal nature
which for some years affected his voice
and rendered public speaking both diff
cult and dangerous.
In 1856 Mr.. Stevens became the part
ner of Hon. James 6. Blaine in the own
ership of the Kennebec Journal, which
had been established in 1925 by the late
Luther Severance, and which was at
that time owned by the late William II.
Simpson of Belfast, and the late Hon.
Joseph Baker of this city. In 1858 Mr..
Blaine sold his interest in the paper to
| the late John S. Sayward, to become
| editor of the Portland Advertiser. The
firm of Stevens & Sayward continued for
period OF eleven years, 1858 to 1869,
! during which time Mr.. Stevens had edi-
torial control of the Journal. From 1866
! to 1860 he was chairman of the Repub-
lican State Committee, and in 1860 was
one of the four delegates at large to the
Republican National Convention at Chi
cage, at which he cast his vote for VIM.
| H. Seward for Presidential candidate.
Commencing with 1865, Mr. Stevens was
for five years A member of the Maine
| Legislature, three in the House and two
in the Senate.
Mr.. Stevens diplomatic career opened
in 1870 by his appointment by President
| Grant, as Minister to the United Repub-
lie of Uruguay and Paraguay, South
America, with residence at Montervideo
where, with his family, he remained
three years, returning to Augusta in
1873. In 1877 Mr.. Stevens was APP
| pointed by President Hayes Minister
Resident to Sweden and Norway. which
| post he occupied six years. He resided
at Stockholm with his family for this
| period, making one visit to this country
during the time. June 20, 1889, he was
commissioned by President Harrison to
his present Ministry.
| Mr. Stevens was married in 1916 to
Miss Mary L. Smith of Hallowell, by
whom he has had four children, two
having died in infancy, and two daugh-
ers yet living.
During the Presidential canvas of 1887
1888 Mr.. Stevens was invited to assume
editorial charge of the political columns
of the Journal, to the discharge OF which
relation he brought the results of his
long experience in journalism, which
duties were performed with great accept
ance until his withdrawal from the paper,
July Sd, 1899.
These dates give but the merest out
line in a career of great vigor, usefulness
and ability. Mr.. Stevens editorship of
the Journal in the stirring political times
preceding, during and after the war of
the rebellion, was marked by great capa-
! city and force. His style of editorial
| composition was direct, nervous, often
brilliant and always high-toned. His
| knowledge of men has been remarkable,
and his skill as political organizer was
recognized by the Republican party in
making him its chairman during that
| period of our country's most remark
able history. This was the period of the
anti-slavery movement, the trying years
of civil war, and the up-building and re-
construction after its close. Devoted to
the principles of the Republican party
Mr.. Stevens has always been widely con-
suited regarding its policy. HIS cool,
level judgment, wisdom and sagacity,
love of country and loyalty to party
have been conspicuous, and his council
has never been sought or followed in
vain. The calm decisions of his we'll
balanced mind have many times found
expression in platforms and resolutions
by which our party has sought strength
and support from the people of Maine.
He has been eminent as friend OF the
State, and in Legislative halls, upon the
popular platform, and through the press
to whatsoever, in his judgment, would
best promote her good and the
moral, social and intellectual welfare Of
b er people.
In his several diplomatic stations Mr..
Stevens has represented our great Ma
lion with credit and dignity. His ar
rival in South America was amid the
tumult of one of the domestic revolu-
tons of the Republics, and he was very
influential in bringing about peace be-
tween the opposing factions, which has
continued to the present time. While
in Stockholm Mr.. Stevens devoted much
of his leisure to literary work. The re-
suit of this was "History of Gustavus
Adolphus" and of Sweden during the
Thirty Years War, which was published
in New York after his return to this
country. 1t forms a large volume of
over 400 pages and has received high
encomium from competent critics as
mastery and ornate literary and his
toric composition. It was this produc-
ton which won for him from Tufts Col
Iege in 1883, the degree of Doctor of
Laws.
Mr.. Stevens has the high qualities of
the finished scholar. He has collected
an extensive library, rich in works relat-
ing to history, politics and international
relations, many of which are in the
French language, in the history and liter
ature of which he is we'll versed, In
every relation in life, tried by long
acquaintance and through many diverse
circumstances, he has always been the
firm friend, the courteous, high-minded
gentleman, the respected citizen, the
good neighbor. The best wishes CT the
people of the State, of his native coun-
tv and tho oitv Uhora for Gu pooDx,