Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-02-12

Mr.. Stevens threw himself into the con-
flict with tremendous impetuosity and
force. He stood ever firm for human
rights and liberty. The presence of slavery
under the American flag he regarded as
an outrage. sit polluted the very air: it
cried ont with a million tongues to
heaven" AS editor of the Kennebec
journal, he had a large share in molding,
directing and focalizing public opinion,
in arousing the public conscience
And in those long years of bloody
strife, he never wavercd nor faltered. He
never lost heart. In the darkest days, his
courage was mistaken. And this inspir-
ing faith, he impaired by his pen to the
people, he made the people feel the great
ness of the issue at stake. He led them on
to more ardent devotion to country, to
a greater love for that country's flag.
Later in the reconstruction period, when
great and perilous questions came up for
settlement he labored with all the power
of his soul that these perplexing questions
might be settled Alright on q firm and
enduring basis. His mind grasped the
true philosophy of events, and his practi-
cal common sense made him quick to see
their bearing.
For thirteen years, he stood at his post
of duty, Il leader among men in this his
native State, in those stirring times that
tried mems souls. No period of American
history has presented questions of equal
difficulty or Importance with those which
came up for settlement from 1856 to
1869. And in all, the true heart, the
noble purpose, unilinching devoli IN to the
right, and pre-eminent love for country
are ever manifest.
During the last twenty-five years of his
life, he was called upon TO serve his
country as u. s. minister, at intervals, at
three different foreign courts-first to
Uruguay and Paraguay, then to Sweden
and lastly to Hawaii. His service in
these fields was multiform and varied and
enduring, while in south America, his
quick insight and comprehensive wis
dom took in the importance Of develop
ing our South American trade. These
i,eas subsequently, through Secretary
Blaine became the policy of the govern
ment.
1t is too early to estimate the great
ness of his service in Hawaii. But
when the din of passing events shall
have subsidized, and the prejudice OF party
passion shall have been allayed, | venture
to say the impartial historian will write
the name of John l.. Stevens the noble
Christian patriot, high above all calumnia-
ton. and wreathe his name in lasting
honor.
Fifty years of arduous service in the
golden era of the world greatest achieve
ments. How does it all come back to
us as we sit in sorrow gazing into that
irreyocable past He was conspicuouSly
before the public gaze for years, and the G
was not one blot or stain or shadow upon
his robes. He proved himself the true
man. the devoted friend, the ardent patriot,
the sincere Christian.
1t is no. for me TO dwell upon the simple
grandeur OF that life. He needs no enlo-
gy from me, | wish simply to Let that lie
and character. from out the silence of the
world of spirits, speak to US even here, as
we bend the listening ear to catch the
earnest accents.
Whatever else we may say OF him, he
was a man of strong positive convictions.
He believed strongly from the heart And
wheresoever his convictions led him, he
gave himself to the conflict with all the
Intensity and force of his being. He had the
aggre ssiveness which always comes from
"A true courage. He never deyiatcd in his
faith or his purpose. He was loftily and
heroically devoted to the ideas which
possessed him, grandly true to the great
thoughts which filed and animated his
noble soul.
His life was radiated by an intense,
ardent, buoyant faith. He had faith IN
humanity He saw the dark side to be
sure. But he saw the other side, as well.
He believed in The lrogress of our race, in
the dignity and greatness of the human
soul, in the ultimate triumph of good
over evil in all Gods universe. There
was an underlying forward look OF hope
! in all his thought.
He had faith in God, as the universal
Father in his unfailing love, in his sover-
eign power. He never faltered in his love
and devotion to his church. He never
sweryed. Up to the very last, he evaded
no duty he shrapk from no burden.
| Though much of bis life was given To
| the public service he found time for the
quiet literary labors which were so con.
| GENIAL to his tastes and in which he great
1 ly excelled Some of his work IN this
| direction is of permanent value. His lie
of Gustavus Adolphus is acknowledged to
lie work of unusual merit, supplying an
| important link in history.
I He was the most gracious OF men III his
| own home; he was fond of the society of his
| friends, and the company that gathered
| in his study or round his table took Its
! tone from his own genial, liberal, cultt-
waited and refined nature. Travel IN :
eign lands enlarged his sympathes, and
added picturesqueness 10 his life. Inc
literature of all ages and nations were
opened to him, and he drew from all.
| 1t is not every one that knew our 1richd
He was a man of deep reserves. He KEEP
! the holy or holies within himself
There was in him wealth OF Tenderness
which lay, depth upon depth, far below
the eye of the ordinary observer, ana
which it was given only to the favored
few to realize 1t was given few choic.
friends to enter this holy of ho!ies ant
experience of the richness of that mighty
friendship which never could wane.
1t was in the home life, however, tina
! his great tenderness had its freest scope
Here, in thai hallowed family cir lie, III
great heart of love, found its sure restins
place He lived for them and they Tor hin
in limitless devotion and affection.
He has gone from us. He has Deei