The morning call., 1894-02-10
GATHERS THEM IN.

No San Franciscan can hear without
emotion that Colonel Stevenson is dying.
He is "a. and the visit of the angel OF death
is therefore not unexpected; but his figure
has been familiar for so many years. and
the march of time has seemed to produce
so little effect on the aacrity of his step
that people had almost forgotten his age.
1t Is only year or two since he was
knocked down by a cabe-car. Bystand-
ers rushed to his assistance, but he quickly
arose to his feet without help, and when
gentlemen offered to serve as witnesses
to his accident in a suit for damages. he
answered: ''Poohl Nonsensel I'm not
hurt. / want no damages"
The period covered by Colonel Steven
sons life may be said to embrace the
career Of his country, for though he was
unborn when Washington died. he saw the
light before the system OF Federal govern
ment was digested. At the time he lay in
his cradle the chief magistrate was clear
that the people coul1 not be trusted with
self-government. He had barely reached
manhood when the first barrier to the ex-
tension Of slavery was raised In the shape
Of the Missouri COMPROMISE. What a
prodigious stride he has seen truth and
principle make since then, In spite of the
wigglings Of doughfaces and cravensl
The intrepid character and cool judy
ment of the man must have been well
known TO President Polk when he author
lied Stevenson TO raise his famous regi-
ment of volunteers TO invade country
with which the United States was at
peace. The future, it is true, was plain TO
be seen, but movements undertaken in
anticipation of coming war involve pecu-
liar responsibilities. A rash comm ander in
SteveDSon'S place might have given trou-
ble. AS it turned out, his campaign
proved bloodless; its most substanti al
fruit was the acquisition of fortunes by
Ulcers who took ND land in places of
which they foresaw the growth. Those
predecessors of the forty-niners must have
had robust faith in the future of Califor-
MIA At the East there were many who
thought THAT Texas was the land of prom
Use. 1t was vast. 1t was fertile. 1t was
watered. II was on the Atlantic within
fortnight's steam of New York and
Europe. Il must have required singular
intuition to perceive that it would be out
stripped in growth by territory which
appeared TO be an arid desert that could
Ou ~ bS iCdCuSu at VIC Gnu VI q OLA ulUulES
voyage.
At that time the problems of free society
in the United States were unsolved.
Slavery seemed 10 be strong and in
vihcible. Economic problems were only
beginning to be understood. The develop
ment of the American spirit was retarded
by the domination of British opinion at
the intellectual centers. TIE stern neces-
sites of life diverted the mind of the
rural districts from elevating pursuits.
Colonel Stevenson lived to see most of
these problems solved; he lived to behold
public affairs in the hands of men belong
ing first to one party. then to another, but
in either case superior in moral stamina
and mental grasp to any class of statesmen
who pre- ceded them.
A singular parallel and contrast are pre-
sented by the life Of good old DR.. Leipnitz,
who was gathered in day before yesterday.
He was modern reproduction of the an-
eient leech who went about binding ND
wounds aud healing disease like the good
Samaritan, without fee or reward. He was
not as old as Colonel Stevenson by ten
years, but he had reached his eighty third
year. For forty years he had dispensed
drugs and advice 10 San Francisco. His
patients were chiefly of the poorer class
and he treated them gratis. His whole
drugstore was at the service of penniless
sufferers. Thus. though his business was
large. and he pursued it for many years.
he has left no estate, and, as it happens, he
left no direct heir TO inherit from him.
The only relations be possessed were poor
people In Germany who lived mainly on
the money he sent them. 1t CHANGED
that many years ago his attention was
directed to the study of snakes, and In
that study he attained proficiency which
has been recognized by men of science.
Like the Indian jugglers he learned how
10 handle veD6mous snakes without being
bitten. He was one of the first observers
TO demonstrate that the opbidian never
strikes except in self-defense. Even the
rattlesnake will avoid fight if he can.
The good old doctor-he was nota doctor
by diploma. but only by courtesy-will be
missed, and by none more than by the poor.
for whom he always had kind word and
q generous hand.