Qxt jptmtotiam 
 
 teUiict (Bvccxx £fct?tmt&im 
 ^blax (Bxvxxxq £tteimt#<nt 
 
 They do rest from their labors, 
 and their works do follow them. 
 
•5 ml 3 
 
K 
 
Letitia Gkekn Stevenson 
 
 1843-1913 
 
Adi.ai Ewing Stkvknson 
 1835-1914 
 
Mrs. Letitia Green Stevenson was born January 8th, 1843 
 at Allegheny, Pennsylvania, where her father, Dr. Lewis War- 
 ner Green, was president of the Presbyterian Theological 
 Seminary. Her mother was Mary Fry Green. 
 
 When Mrs. Stevenson was but a small child, her parents 
 removed to Danville, Ky., where her father became the presi- 
 dent of Center College, and there she lived to young woman- 
 hood. It was there she met Mr. Stevenson, who afterward 
 became her husband. Her father was a scholarly man, hav- 
 ing been educated abroad, which was an unusual attainment 
 at that time. 
 
 On reaching young womanhood, Mrs. Stevenson's edu- 
 cation was broadened by a course at a school at Walnut Hill, 
 near Lexington, Ky., and later in New York. 
 
 FROM MRS. STEVENSON'S MEMOIRS 
 
 1 ' The incident of my girlhood days which made the most pro- 
 found impression was the attempted secession of the Southern 
 States from the Federal Union in 1861 ; the attack upon Fort 
 Sumter, and the inauguration of the Civil War. 
 
 Our home, at that time, was in Danville, Kentucky, the bor- 
 der line between the conflicting forces. My father was then Pres- 
 ident of Center College, and an ardent Union man. However, his 
 heart turned with solicitude towards his students, many of whom 
 were from the South and joined the southern army. The exigen- 
 cies of guerrilla warfare placed us at the mercy of the constantly 
 changing bands of marauders, while the Federal and Confeder- 
 ate troops took turns in occupying the town. At no time, how- 
 ever, during the four years were we greatly intimidated or 
 harmed. In the army on either side were our nearest of kin and 
 dearest of friends, and we felt and were safe under their consid- 
 erate protection. 
 
 ' ' At the outset of the war I was at Miss Haynes ' School, No. 
 10 Gramarcy Park, New York City. I returned home to find the 
 college, as well as every public building, converted into barracks 
 or hospitals. In the wake of the dreadful war soon followed sor- 
 row, sickness, desolation and death. Though these terrible days 
 can never be forgotten, we are thankful to an over-ruling provi- 
 dence for a re-united country, and for the belief that the ties of 
 kinship and friendship are perhaps stronger for having been so 
 rudely sundered for a time." 
 
 On the death of her father, Mrs. Stevenson came to Illinois 
 and lived at Chenoa with her sister, Mrs. Matthew T. Scott, whose 
 
4 LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON 
 
 husband was at that time a prominent citizen and farmer. She 
 remained there until her wedding, on Dec. 20, 1866, to Mr. Adlai 
 E. Stevenson, then a rising young lawyer of Metamora, the 
 county seat of "Woodford county. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson lived for the first year of their mar- 
 ried life at Metamora, and then Mr. Stevenson, having formed a 
 law partnership with his cousin, James S. Ewing, removed to 
 Bloomington and began that career of professional life which 
 was to be marked with distinction. 
 
 A considerable number of the years of Mrs. Stevenson's life 
 were spent in Washington, while her husband was occupying posi- 
 tions of political responsibility, as an executive in the postoffice 
 department and as vice-president. She also traveled abroad with 
 him when he went to Europe as a member of the monetary com- 
 mission. In these years, however, she always returned to her 
 home city whenever the opportunity offered, and neither emi- 
 nence nor widened responsibilities could remove from her affec- 
 tions the ties which bound her to Bloomington. 
 
 It was as the president general, the highest office in the gift 
 of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revo- 
 lution, that Mrs. Stevenson achieved perhaps her highest per- 
 sonal distinction. She served four times in that high office. She 
 was elected for the first time on Feb. 22, 1893, after a short in- 
 terim following the death of Mrs. Benjamin Harrison, the first 
 president general, who died in the fall of 1892. She was re- 
 elected on Feb. 22, 1894, and then after the term of Mrs. John W. 
 Foster, which followed her own, Mrs. Stevenson was chosen to the 
 same office for the third time, on Feb. 22, 1896, and again in 1897. 
 
 On her retirement from her second term, in 1895, the congress 
 of the D. A. R. adopted the following resolution : ' ' That this con- 
 tinental congress of the Daughters of the American Revolu- 
 tion * * * * does hereby create the office of honorary president 
 general, to be filled only by retiring presidents general: that 
 Mrs. Letitia Green Stevenson, the retiring president general, be 
 asked to accept that honorary office." 
 
 As the wife of the vice-president of the United States for four 
 years, from 1893 to 1897, Mrs. Stevenson occupied a position of 
 social prominence in the nation 's capital which required womanly 
 qualities of the highest type to acceptably and creditably fill. 
 That she more than met the expected duties and responsibilities 
 was testified by the large circle of eminent women with whom 
 she in those years mingled. She presided at the head of Mr. 
 Stevenson's Washington home with that graciousness and poise 
 which could spring only from inborn aristocracy, in the truest 
 sense of that word. 
 
 On the retirement of Mr. Stevenson from the vice-presidency, 
 he and Mrs. Stevenson returned again to Bloomington, where 
 
LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON 5 
 
 Mrs. Stevenson found it her delight to live and work in the inter- 
 est of the best in the community. 
 
 As the former head of the society of the Daughters of the 
 American ^Revolution, there is considerable interest in the gen- 
 ealogical line from which Mrs. Stevenson sprang. 
 
 She was a descendant of Joshua Fry and Capt. James Speed, 
 of Virginia, and Dr. Thomas Walker, of Kentucky. Joshua Fry 
 was a soldier in the Continental service. Capt. Speed was shot 
 thru the body at Guilford. He recovered and moved to Ken- 
 tucky in 1872, and took part in the formation of that state. Dr. 
 Thomas Walker was commissary general of the Virginia troops 
 in the Braddock campaign in 1870. During the revolution he 
 was a member of the house of burgesses. He was one of the first 
 explorers of Kentucky. 
 
 Mrs. Stevenson's mother was the daughter of Thomas Walker 
 Fry and Elizabeth Smith Fry. 
 
 Thomas W. Fry was the son of Joshua and Peachy Walker 
 Fry. Joshua Fry was born about 1760, served as a lad in the 
 revolutionary war, and after the war, moved to Kentucky and 
 engaged in teaching his own and his neighbors' children. He was 
 of distinguished education for a man of that time. Peachy 
 Walker, who married Joshua Fry, was the daughter of Dr. 
 Thomas Walker, who occupied many positions of honor in the 
 earlier history of the colony and was known as a skillful and 
 scientific engineer. He was intimately associated in private and 
 public relations with George Washington and Thomas Jefferson ; 
 was the guardian of Jefferson, a member of the Virginia house 
 of burgesses, and of the committee of safety, member of the Vir- 
 ginia convention of 1789 to consider the constitution; commis- 
 sioner to survey the boundary line between Virginia and North 
 Carolina, known as "Walker's line." 
 
 Of all the characteristics of Mrs. Stevenson's life, none were 
 better recognized nor will be longer remembered by those of the 
 circle of friends who knew her best, than her eminence as a home 
 maker. The Stevenson home has for years been a model of the 
 best and true in domestic regulations, as all well knew who have 
 been brought within the reach of its uplifting influence and its 
 hospitable charm. It has been a home where husband and wife 
 vied one with the other in that true courtesy which is the heart of 1 
 kindliness and respect, and the children gave to the parents that 
 filial honor and deference which form the seeds of right living 
 in maturer years. To her as to few women has fallen the part 
 of walking side by side with her husband in his political activi- 
 ties, while at the same time sustaining so well her more truly 
 feminine duties. And whether the successive political campaigns 
 ended in victory or defeat, Mrs. Stevenson's cheerfulness and 
 poise were always undisturbed. 
 
6 LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON 
 
 The chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in 
 this city was organized at a meeting called by Mrs. Stevenson at 
 her own home. There were eighteen women present at the first 
 meeting. The chapter, when its charter was secured, was given 
 the name of the woman who was chiefly instrumental in its form- 
 ation. 
 
 Mrs. Stevenson was made the first president of the Woman's 
 •club of this city, a position which she held for four years. She 
 called the first meeting for the organization of the Day Nursery, 
 •and was active in that philanthropy until her health failed. She 
 was long a member of the Second Presbyterian church, and was 
 active in the home and foreign missionary societies. Several years 
 ago Mrs. Stevenson organized a local chapter of the Army and 
 Navy league, and was its first president. 
 
 During the period of her illness this community and her many 
 friends thruout the country had awaited news from Mrs. Stev- 
 enson's bedside with anxiety and the daily hope that it might 
 be of more hopeful tone. The width of her circle of friends, and 
 the love in which she was everywhere held, was illustrated by the 
 daily and numerous tokens of flowers which came to her home. 
 The rooms were almost constantly supplied with a profusion of 
 beautiful bouquets, some of them from long distances, and each 
 testifying to the thoughtful remembrance of a friend and the 
 wish that their fragrance and beauty might brighten and cheer 
 the patient sufferer. 
 
 The passing of Mrs. Stevenson takes from the life of this city 
 a woman whose position has been one of prominence, and whose 
 name and ability are known and recognized thruout the state and 
 nation. 
 
 EDITORIAL IN THE BLOOMINGTON BULLETIN, DECEMBER 26 
 
 We often speak of the first lady of the nation or state in allud- 
 ing to the wife of the president or governor, and in the death of 
 Mrs. Adlai E. Stevenson, Bloomington has lost its ranking repre- 
 sentative, yet in the absence of Mrs. Stevenson we shall first 
 mourn the wife, mother, neighbor and friend. 
 
 Mrs. Stevenson, whose splendidly rounded life closed last 
 night, had been a national figure, both as the wife of a distin- 
 guished public man and also as a natural leader in large activi- 
 ties. Residence in Washington as the wife of a congressman, as- 
 sistant postmaster general and vice-president, gave avenue for 
 the impression on contemporaneous American life of a charming 
 personality, and association in the highest capacity with the 
 Daughters of the American Revolution gave evidence of great 
 executive and constructive ability. 
 
 But as great and just as has been Bloomington 's pride in Mrs. 
 Stevenson as a national figure, it has been in her home life and 
 
LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON 7 
 
 unaffected democracy of sympathy and association with the old 
 neighbors that Bloomington loved and honored her most, and 
 that is why there are today so many moist eyes beyond the fam- 
 ily circle. 
 
 Deepest sympathy goes out to Mr. Stevenson. The former 
 vice-president has ever been a lover of home and the beautiful 
 companionship with his wife has been nothing short of the imag- 
 inative ideal of romance, so rarely realized in every day life. 
 
 The last honors from those who had known her long and loved 
 her much, were paid to Mrs. Adlai E. Stevenson on Sunday after- 
 noon. December 28, 1913, in rites at the Second Presbyterian 
 church, ere the mortal part was consigned to the inevitable ' ' dust 
 to dust." 
 
 The funeral services were held in the church where she had at- 
 tended worship for many years. The attendance of friends was 
 ample testimony to the wide circle of friends in this city, and 
 many people were here from other cities. The auditorium was 
 filled during the services. 
 
 The whole pulpit platform was one immense bank of flowers, 
 each piece being a testimonial of love from some friend or some 
 society. The casket rested at the chancel almost hidden in this 
 wealth of floral offerings. 
 
 Members of Letitia Green Stevenson chapter of the Daughters 
 of the American Revolution assembled to the number of nearly 
 a hundred and were seated together at the front of the church. 
 This is Mrs. Stevenson's home chapter, bearing her own name, 
 and from which she arose to become the head of the national so- 
 ciety during four terms. 
 
 The services were impressive. After an invocation by Rev. 
 J. N. Elliott, the pastor, several appropriate passages of scrip- 
 ture were read by Rev. Martin D. Hardin of the Third Pres- 
 byterian church in Chicago, who is a son-in-law of Mrs. Steven- 
 son. Dr. Elliott and Rev. Mr. Hardin then each paid short trib- 
 ute to Mrs. Stevenson, and the services were dismissed with the 
 benediction by Rev. M. Hardin. 
 
 DR. ELLIOTT'S ADDRESS 
 
 Rev. J. N. Elliott spoke as follows: "In the home she loved, 
 in the city which she also loved, with dear ones near at hand, at 
 peace with God, and in perfect charity with the world, on the 
 evening of Christinas day, Mrs. Stevenson peacefully fell asleep. 
 Succeeding upon the suffering of many weeks, there came to her 
 
8 LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON 
 
 repose and heavenly rest. During her long illness, daily solici- 
 tous inquiries bespoke the earnest wishes of her many friends 
 that she might recover her health, and that her life might be pro- 
 longed. But it has been ordered otherwise, and to the great sor- 
 row of her beloved ones is added the sorrow of hosts of friends, 
 both in her home city and thruout the land, that she has been 
 taken away. 
 
 ' ' She was a woman greatly beloved. Whether amidst the ac- 
 tivities of public life, with its many responsibilities and exactions, 
 or in the quieter circle of old friends and neighbors ; whether as 
 president general of a great patriotic society, or in quiet attend- 
 ance upon a home or foreign missionary meeting, or teaching a 
 class in Sunday school, as she formerly used to do, she was always 
 the same capable, sympathetic, kind-hearted, helpful Mrs. Stev- 
 enson, endearing herself to all by her graciousness and amiability 
 and by the nobleness of her life and character. 
 
 "Gifted with splendid mental endowments, she added talent 
 to talent and grace to grace, until one beheld in her the fulfilment 
 of the poet 's tribute to his queen : 
 
 11 'A thousand claims to reverence closed in her, as mother, 
 wife and queen. ' 
 
 ' ' One who knew her well said, ' If Mrs. Stevenson ever spoke 
 an uncharitable word concerning any one, it had never come to 
 his knowledge. ' Her gentleness made her strong, and her strength 
 made her gentle. Serene both in disappointment and victory, 
 patient in suffering, unfaltering in Christian cheerfulness, cour- 
 ageous at the approach of death, her life was transparently beau- 
 tiful, filled with ministeries of comfort and abounding in good 
 works. 
 
 ' ' She was above all a loyal and devoted wife and mother. For 
 forty-seven years she and her honored and now sorely bereaved 
 husband walked life's pathway in mutual love and helpfulness, 
 and the surviving children whom God gave to them, live to 
 call them blessed. Besides her husband, son, two daughters and 
 grandchildren, of her father 's family she is survived by one sis- 
 ter, Mrs. Matthew T. Scott. In this time of bereavement, it is 
 their priceless privilege to look up thru their tears and thank 
 God for the gift of so noble a wife, mother and sister, whose home- 
 love and companionship made life radiant with happiness and 
 good cheer. 
 
 "Thruout her whole life Mrs. Stevenson was a sincere Chris- 
 tian. Her Saviour, her Bible and her church were ever near to 
 her heart. With large experience of the world she discerned 
 and valued the immeasurable worth of Christian truth and 
 Christian living, and with unaffected simplicity she walked by 
 
LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON 9 
 
 faith in the Son of God. Upon this Christian faith the virtues 
 and graces of her life were built, and in the comfort of this faith 
 she gently fell asleep. She will be missed more than we can pos- 
 sibly express, her memory will live as an example of all that is 
 truly great and noble in womanhood. 
 
 "But we realize, my friends, that for her life has not ended, 
 but only begun. Death is transition ; sleep is rest ; the tomb is 
 the gateway into the larger perfect life. The power of death 
 has been destroyed ; victory over the grave is certain. 
 
 "On this side of the border-land, the followers of Christ use 
 the present tense when they say, ' Thanks be to God who giveth 
 us the victory thru our Lord Jesus Christ.' On the other side, 
 no doubt the glorified saints use the past perfect tense, and say 
 ' Thanks be to God who has given us the victory thru our Lord 
 Jesus Christ.' Spoken in tears, it may be, yet we are able to say 
 of the beloved dead, At peace— God's holy peace. Seen as in a 
 mirror darkly, yet we are able to say Light— God's heavenly 
 light. Weary and heavy laden, we may hear a calm, majestic, 
 friendly voice saying, ' Come unto me and I will give you rest. ' 
 
 " 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth ; 
 yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors ; for 
 their works follow with them.' 
 
 "At evening time, no gathering night, 'It shall be light.' 
 God's holy light, His word our sight — At evening time. 
 
 "At evening time above the shroud the rain-bow cloud. 
 God's pledge of care : Trust finds Him there. 
 
 "At evening time He gives repose from earthly woes; Why 
 should we fear; Day-dawn is near — At evening time." 
 
 REV. ME. HARDIN'S TALK 
 
 ' ' The good and beautiful life is never an accident. We do not 
 live in a chaotic world ruled by chance. In vain we look for the 
 sixty-fold harvest on the wayside, or the shallow ground. The 
 fruitful character has drawn its nourishment from the eternal 
 sunshine, the gracious rain, and the good soil, unchoked, as truly 
 as the abundant yield in nature is the product of unimpeded, 
 elemental forces — with this difference only : in nature, choice is 
 not there. The grain is passive. It has no will of its own. In 
 personality, the fruitful life has exercised choice ; has listened to 
 reason and conscience; has willed faith; and has consciously 
 chosen to be responsive to God and the gracious influences of His 
 divine spirit. Human life is a garden, or a desert waste, just as 
 there has been a will or no will at one with moral truth of God. 
 And as the broadest and deepest rivers are those having their 
 source high up amid the immaculate snows of the everlasting 
 hills, so personality is broad and deep, strong and beautiful, joy- 
 
IO LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON 
 
 ous and life-giving, just as it remembers its eternal source and 
 consciously feels itself reaching back and up in unbroken con- 
 tinuity to God. 
 
 THE LIFE IDEAL 
 
 "We are gathered here to pay honor to such a life. A life 
 issuing from God, a life never forgetting its Source, a life that 
 was as silent and deep, as unostentatious, and almost as self -for- 
 getful in its flowing as the river ; a life, along whose course from 
 the beginning to its union with the great sea, flowers of love 
 bloomed, and all beautiful deeds of kindness sprung into being 
 as naturally as violets grow on grassy banks. Knowing Mrs. 
 Stevenson, as it was my blessed privilege to know her, I cannot 
 but feel that we honor her most acceptably when we attempt to 
 meet our inevitable grief in the faith by which she lived. When 
 we let her life speak to us of those deeper realities, on which her 
 own soul rested, and out of the personal knowledge of which 
 came those rare and beautiful traits of character, which so en- 
 deared her to us all. Her inheritance was a noble one. Before 
 her had gone generations of God-fearing fathers and mothers. 
 She was a child of the covenant, and a daughter of the manse. 
 Her father, Dr. Lewis W. Green, was not only one of the most 
 gifted ministers of his generation in the church, brilliant as an 
 orator and educator, but was a man of singularly deep religious 
 life. 
 
 ' ' In those tender years, when as a child the roots of character 
 are forming Mrs. Stevenson grew up in a cultivated, Christian 
 home. Religious faith and trust and love and obedience came nat- 
 urally to her as things beautiful and more to be desired than ru- 
 bies. These were inseparable from her being, and came to hold her. 
 Her character was the outgrowth of a life hid with ( !hrist in God. 
 She found God in Jesus Christ, and with an unwavering faith 
 committed her own being and all that was dear to her to His 
 keeping. She hoped to find no more precious Saviour, no one 
 whose life could better serve as Guide to heaven, and Comforter 
 on the way thither. She could conceive of no fuller truth of 
 God than that for which her own heart aspired when she prayed 
 with her Lord, 'Our Father, w r hich art in heaven, hallowed be 
 Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is 
 in heaven.' 
 
 ' ' To know the will of the God and Father of our Lord, Jesus 
 Christ, was her highest hope ; and to do that will, her joyous daily 
 task. For religion with her, as in all genuine souls, was not a 
 thing merely to be talked about, or speculated over, but a life to 
 be lived; a life of the Spirit, radiating happiness; a life light- 
 ening the yoke of toil and the dull cares of the day, a life making 
 the home a home indeed, an earthly bit of heaven, with heaven 's 
 
LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON I I 
 
 love and heaven's peace, resting there like summer's twilight; a 
 life that goes out beyond the home in gracious unaffected, neigh- 
 borliness to rejoice with those that rejoice, and to weep with those 
 that weep ; a life that knows and finds its share of all those works 
 that make for the common good in the church, the city, and the 
 world ; a life that appreciates such personal honors as come un- 
 sought, but holds these at their true value, neither exaggerating 
 or underestimating their significance; a life that meets success 
 without undue elation, and disappointments and sorrows without 
 being utterly cast down — in a word, a life which seeks to live over 
 again, by faith, here amid modern conditions, the strong and 
 wise, and deathlessly divine life of Him who walked in Galilee, 
 and by what He was and taught and did has brought to this old 
 tear-stained earth of ours all that it knows of a spirit which is at 
 rest with God. 
 
 ' ' This, I say, was the conception of religion which was at the 
 basis of Mrs. Stevenson's character. How well she realized her 
 ideal, our own overflowing hearts today bear eloquent testimony. 
 To those of us who knew her best, she was as one set apart ; beau- 
 tiful in childhood, rare and fragrant in girlhood, radiant in 
 young womanhood and dewy as the breath of the morning, even 
 when her hair was silvered. As child, as woman, as friend, as 
 daughter, as sister, as wife, as mother, she brought only happi- 
 ness; she gave only joy, and has made it easier for us all to be- 
 lieve that nothing is so good as goodness ; nothing so pays as kind- 
 ness ; nothing so radiates as faith ; nothing so abides as love. 
 
 " 'And I heard a voice out of heaven, saying unto me, write ; 
 blessed are the dead which die in the Lord. Yea, saith the spirit, 
 that they may rest from their labors ; and their works do follow 
 them. ' 
 
 " 'I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in 
 me, tho he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth, 
 and believeth in me, shall never die. ' 
 
 " 'And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God 
 and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him, 
 and they shall see His face, and His name shall be in their fore- 
 heads. ' 
 
 " 'And there shall be no night and there they need no candles, 
 neither light of the sun, for the Lord giveth them light, and they 
 shall reign forever and ever.' ' 
 
1 2 LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON 
 
 IN THE ISSUE OF THE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLU- 
 TION MAGAZINE FOR JANUARY 1914, APPEARED THIS 
 TRIBUTE TO MRS. STEVENSON, WRITTEN BY HER NIECE, 
 MRS. JULIA SCOTT VROOMAN (MRS. CARL VROOMAN) 
 
 Mrs. Letitia Green Stevenson, wife of former Vice-President 
 Adlai E. Stevenson, and for four terms President General of the 
 National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, as well 
 as its first Honorary President General, passed away in the se- 
 rene peace of a deathless Faith, on Christmas night at her home 
 in Bloomington, Illinois. 
 
 Of distinguished Revolutionary ancestry, Mrs. Stevenson, 
 through Lawrence Washington and Mildred Washington, his wife 
 was a lineal descendant of Augustine Warner, the grandfather of 
 George Washington. She grew to girlhood in Danville, Ken- 
 tucky, where her father, Dr. Lewis Warner Green, one of the 
 most brilliant orators and scholars of the South, was President 
 of Center College. On December 20. 1866, she was married in 
 Chenoa, Illinois, from the home of her sister, Mrs. Matthew T. 
 Scott, to Mr. Adlai Stevenson. Soon after their marriage Mr. 
 aud Mrs. Stevenson moved to Bloomington, Illinois, where they 
 have since made their home, and where four children were born 
 to them, three of whom survive her, Mr. Lewis Green Stevenson, 
 Chairman of the Board of Pardons, Mrs. Martin D. Hardin, wife 
 of a distinguished Chicago clergyman, and Miss Letitia Steven- 
 son. 
 
 During the first few years of her life in Bloomington, Mrs. 
 Stevenson devoted herself wholeheartedly and entirely to her 
 husband and children and friends. When later she went to 
 Washington her official position as wife of a Congressman, As- 
 sistant Postmaster General and Vice-President, gave abundant 
 opportunity for the impression upon contemporaneous American 
 life of her charming personality, while the four years of her wise 
 and inspiring leadership of the Daughters of the American Rev- 
 olution furnished striking evidence of commanding executive, 
 diplomatic and constructive ability. 
 
 The fact that Mrs. Stevenson and Mrs. Scott, two sisters liv- 
 ing in the same town, were both elected and reelected to the high- 
 est office in the gift of women of America is unique in the history 
 of our organization, while their splendid administrations have 
 added new lustre to the Society which has so signally honored 
 them. 
 
 The passing of our beloved second President General, whose 
 impress on this Society was so potent in its formative years, and 
 whose love and interest in it has never flagged, will bring genuine 
 grief to thousands of Daughters all over this country who had an 
 abiding love and reverence for this strong and gracious spirit, 
 
LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON I 3 
 
 whose life was a supreme embodiment of radiant, self -forgetful 
 womanhood. Physically, mentally and spiritually, she was like 
 a flower. To her it was natural to be sympathetically tactful and 
 wisely helpful to all with whom she came in contact, as it is for a 
 rose to exhale its sweetness. No one who has been privileged to 
 know her, be it ever so slightly, has failed to feel — if not entirely 
 to comprehend — that here indeed was one of those gifted souls 
 who has pushed up and back the boundaries of our poor human 
 nature and revealed to us some of the rarer, higher and more 
 exquisite potentialities of the race. 
 
 Almost the last act of Mrs. Stevenson's life was the comple- 
 tion of a history of the Daughters of the American Revolution, 
 which has just been published. A concise, impartial and illum- 
 inating record, this little book goes forth bearing her farewell 
 message to the "Daughters" and the great Society she loved and 
 served with such a lavish measure of devotion. 
 
 AT THE MEMORIAL MEETING HELD IN HONOR OF MRS. STEVEN- 
 SON BY THE NATIONAL CONGRESS, D. A. R., IN MEMORIAL 
 CONTINENTAL HALL, ON TUESDAY EVENING, APRIL 21, 
 1914, MRS. GEORGE A. LAWRENCE, STATE REGENT OF ILLI- 
 NOIS, SP0E2J AS FOLLOWS: 
 
 In the little town of Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Letitia Green- 
 Stevenson was born in January, 1843, with a splendid endow- 
 ment of heritage. 
 
 Behind her as she lay cradled there were generation after 
 generation on both sides of the family of sturdy, loyal, educated, 
 cultivated and progressive ancestors, and the potentialities of her 
 future career were very great to her at the very dawn of life. 
 
 Hers was a lineage most royal and one that was to be upheld 
 as became a queen. 
 
 Her father, Dr. Green, when she was but a child, removed to 
 Danville, Ky., to assume the presidency of Center College, lo- 
 cated at that place, and her years from early girlhood to young 
 womanhood were passed within the molding and controlling in- 
 fluence of that institution; and what an inspiration for uplift 
 and for good it was to her, and to the great number of her con- 
 temporaries that thronged its halls and fell within its benign 
 influence! I venture the assertion that no institution of any- 
 where near its size can point with pride to a more distinguished 
 alumni. They have adorned the Bench, National and State, and 
 given dignity to the Bar of the entire country. They have added 
 power and eloquence to the Pulpit, and in the galaxy of Ameri- 
 can divines many trace back to that institution. Among the 
 alumni of this college may be found six Moderators of the Gen- 
 eral Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the United States ; 
 
14 
 
 LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON 
 
 five United States Senators ; two Vice-Presidents of the United 
 States; one Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States; 
 a number of Governors of States, and more than a score of Col- 
 lege Presidents. It has added to the refinement and culture of 
 the entire South and West, and still lives, a monument to those 
 men and women that gave it its impulse and direction. 
 
 Amid such influences, under such inspirations, can it be won- 
 dered that the bud blossomed into the perfect flower? It was 
 here that she met the man, then a student at Center College, 
 whom she afterwards married. Their union of hearts was a per- 
 fect one. Four children, three of whom survive her, brought 
 blessings to this father and mother, and shed the sunshine of love 
 into their home. They were early trained to honor and respect 
 God, Home and Country, as the best things in life, and are now 
 proving themselves worthy of esteem both in their public and 
 private lives. These are the faithful mother's rewards, for the 
 sacrifice and consecration devoted to their education and direc- 
 tion that began at the mother's knees. 
 
 When Mr. Stevenson was called to the National Capital the 
 accumulated treasures of mind and heart, product of the schol- 
 arly environment of Center College, the social charms of her 
 Kentucky home, and the practical lessons of the struggle for 
 home, family and success in Illinois, found full opportunity for 
 their exercise, and we find her filling with dignity, grace anl suc- 
 cess all the exacting requirements, both social and political, of 
 her position at Washington. 
 
 Mrs. Stevenson Avas always to be found at the side of her hus- 
 band. In all his varied activities, social, professional, political 
 and official, she was to him a source of power and of support. 
 Cultured, benign, diplomatic, in any and every crisis, her poise 
 was undisturbed. The rigid requirements of high official posi- 
 tion were met by her, with unfailing ability and distinction, that 
 could only have been possible by the heredity and training I have 
 mentioned. 
 
 She was a consistent Christian woman, a member of the Pres- 
 byterian Church, which she served faithfully in all its lines of 
 activity and of work; the mission field, Sabbath School, and 
 other means of uplift and work for God. 
 
 Few have discerned the immeasureable worth of Christian 
 truth and Christian living as did Mrs. Stevenson, and well did 
 she in God's service "fight the good fight." 
 
 And now I am come, briefly, to speak of her association with 
 our own beloved organization, the Daughters of the American 
 Revolution. 
 
 Mrs. President Harrison was the chosen leader in the ' ' Pion- 
 eer days" of the organization; Mrs. Stevenson was elected Pres- 
 
LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON I 5 
 
 ident General in 1893 and her four-year term of service has been 
 fitly called the ' ' formative period. ' ' During it, was established 
 as a constitutional principle, that the lineal and not the collateral 
 line of descent should be the sole qualification of our member- 
 ship, and she attained recognition both social and political that 
 has remained to this day. During the year 1893-94 our mem- 
 bership increased 1,950 ; during the year 1894-5, 3,488. 
 
 It was during this ' ' formative period ' ' that many of the real 
 things for which we, as an organization stand, were suggested 
 and carried on to successful conclusion or very materially ad- 
 vanced. Memorial Hall had been a hope and dream of "the 
 Pioneers." Under Mrs. Stevenson a beginning was made toward 
 its realization. The monument to the memory of Washington in 
 Paris ; to the Ship Prison Martyrs in New York, and the begin- 
 ning of legislation for the protection of the flag were a part of her 
 administration, and I can bring no higher tribute to her modesty 
 and fairness than to mention the high words of encomium and of 
 praise with which she speaks of the Daughters who as a commit- 
 tee or otherwise brought about these great results. A real gentle- 
 woman! Determined to give honor where honor was due. In 
 her published "Brief History of the Daughters of the American 
 Revolution, ' ' and her account of her own administration, little is 
 said of what she did, but it is filled with grateful and hearty rec- 
 ognition of what her committees and co-workers did. 
 
 This little book, which should be in the hands of every Daugh- 
 ter, was her last work. It was her hope expressed in the fore- 
 word, ' ' that in coming years when my pen is laid aside, and my 
 voice is still, that many of the 'Daughters' will turn trustingly 
 to these pages for facts " * * * * 
 
 Her pen is laid aside and her voice is stilled, and the Daugh- 
 ters will not only turn trustingly to her for facts, but for new 
 courage, a higher purpose and a more exalted consecration and 
 devotion to the cause she served. 
 
 The title of Honorary President General was again conferred 
 upon her in 1898 and from that time until her death she has 
 lived and served in honor and with honor among us. 
 
 She belonged to this work by the very nature of her tem- 
 perament and endowment. 
 
 Her love of patriotism came next to her God and her family 
 and home. To the good and growth of the Daughters she gave 
 her best contributions of business judgment, social tact and pres- 
 tige and that other great quality of love towards all, that made 
 her deeply loved and the loss of which in her death has left a 
 void that never can be filled : and when her Chapter met in mem- 
 orial services after her death, letters of appreciation and affec- 
 tion came to them from every side, bearing to family and Chap- 
 ter in words most tender and most beautiful their message of re- 
 gret, of admiration and of love. 
 
1 6 LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON 
 
 I have but imperfectly sketched the life and career of our 
 Beloved. She belonged to her family and home? Yes! she be- 
 longed to her Chapter and State? Yes! but in a larger sense 
 she belonged to the Nation and we can and do all feel that she 
 was ours. 
 
 I shall never forget the deep impression made upon my mind 
 and heart as I entered the great church at her home city where 
 on Sabbath afternoon her funeral services were held. Packed to 
 the doors with sympathetic mourners of every condition and 
 class, for her death was not a loss to any distinct class but to hu- 
 manity. And as the words of eulogy and appreciation fell from 
 the lips of pastor and of funeral orator, a hush was over the 
 great audience that spoke yet more eloquently than they, of the 
 place she held in the hearts of the people among whom she lived 
 and whom she served. It was an hour of grief and yet an hour of 
 exaltation. For by the recital of her virtues and her victories 
 were others inspired likewise to achieve the crown she so justly 
 wears. We felt that on the birthday of our King, Mrs. Letitia 
 Green Stevenson heard the voice we could not hear, saw the hand 
 we could not see, but as we waited on the shores of the eternal 
 sea, we knew the Master was calling her and that her hand 
 rested in His. At eventide her eyes saw Heaven's glory and she 
 was at rest beneath the palms of Paradise. 
 
 TESTIMONIAL FROM THE WOMAN'S CLUB 
 
 The following testimonial to the memory of Mrs. Adlai E. 
 Stevenson was adopted by the Woman's club of Bloomington at a 
 regular meeting held in their rooms on the 7th day of January, 
 1914. 
 
 "It is most appropriate that this, the Woman's club of Bloom- 
 ington, should offer its tribute of honor, appreciation and love to 
 the memory of its first president, Mrs. Adlai E. Stevenson, who 
 has so recently been taken from our midst. 
 
 ' ' We are not unmindful of the fact that the beautiful life and 
 character of this most lovable of women has been truly and elo- 
 quently portrayed both by pulpit and press, and all that has been 
 said, the members of this club most feelingly endorse, realizing 
 as they do how impossible it would be to exaggerate the virtues 
 of this noble woman, whose kindly heart and rare intellectual en- 
 dowments made her the charm of every circle in which she moved. 
 What has already been publicly said, leaves us to speak mainly 
 of her relations to this association. 
 
 "This club was organized nearly seventeen years ago, at a 
 time when women were growing more and more eager for self- 
 improvement, and were beginning to realize that their whole 
 duty was not done when they looked carefully after the health 
 
LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON I 7 
 
 and comfort of their own families and homes, but that there was 
 a great outside world which also needed their services, and they 
 were learning, too, that this social service could best be given 
 through organization. In preparing a constitution and forming 
 this organization, Mrs. Stevenson's wide experience as president- 
 general of the Daughters of the American Revolution, her famil- 
 iarity with parliamentary rules and her boundless enthusiasm in 
 the cause, peculiarly fitted her to be one of the greatest assistance 
 in the work to be accomplished. For her services in this regard, 
 the club owed her a debt of gratitude which could not easily be 
 paid. During the four years that she honored this club by pre- 
 siding over its meetings, she was fair and just to all, and treated 
 everyone with the utmost kindness and courtesy. 
 
 ''When Mrs. Stevenson retired from active official duty in 
 the club, as a token of appreciation for her invaluable services 
 and esteem for her many virtues of both head and heart, she was 
 made President Emeritus, by unanimous consent, an honor that 
 has been conferred upon no other president. 
 
 ' ' Throughout a long and eventful life our beloved friend held 
 many important official and social positions, and it is known to 
 all that she discharged every duty that came to her with ability, 
 tact and kindness, which gained for her a distinction throughout 
 our land unsurpassed by any other woman of her time. While 
 she was known and appreciated by the intellectual and social 
 circles beyond the limits of her own state, it was here in Bloom- 
 ington, at her own home, where the greater part of her beautiful 
 life was spent, that she was most dearly loved and will be longest 
 remembered. 
 
 "The members of this club, who knew her so intimately and 
 well, are deeply grieved at her death and join with those nearest 
 and dearest to her in mourning her loss. ' ' 
 
 Gertrude L. Fifer, 
 Marian Smith, 
 Ruth Melluish, 
 
 Committee. 
 
 PROM THE D. A. R. MAGAZINE, MARCH, 1914 
 
 Shortly before the death of Mrs. Adlai E. Stevenson, former 
 President General and much loved and honored woman, there 
 came from the press a little book which reached her many friends 
 in time to be a Christmas greeting and a farewell remembrance 
 from one who had started on the Long Journey. 
 
 This little volume, bound in the blue and white of the Na- 
 tional Society, is a brief history of the Society, which will make 
 for itself a place among the membership of the organization be- 
 cause of its practical worth, as well as through the admiration 
 
I 8 LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON 
 
 so many felt for the accomplished author, who of all others may 
 be said to have possessed the intimate knowledge and the abil- 
 ity so blended as to make such a work complete. 
 
 The book is concise and strong in its brevity and at the 
 same time has that delightful touch of personal intimacy which 
 makes each page a friendly message. It tells of the matters 
 and things that will not only interest the members of the great 
 and widely growing organization, but any one who cares to 
 know of the forces which gave birth to this real power in the 
 world. The origin, the founders, who they were and what 
 were their lives and their characteristics, the chief incidents 
 of the administration of each President General — these are all 
 told in the keen cut way that is indicated by the line from 
 Shakespeare that Mrs. Stevenson takes for the motto of her 
 book : ' ' An honest tale speeds best, being plainly told. ' ' 
 
 In a gracefully written preface, Mrs. Stevenson pointed to 
 her readers the reasons why the book has been set before them. 
 As the oldest living President General in point of service in the 
 National Society, and the second to hold the high office, it 
 seemed fitting that she should place for the future a record 
 that should briefly embrace the more important points in the 
 history of the society. She had not intended to write an ex- 
 haustive treatise of all that has been done and planned. As 
 she says in her preface : 
 
 "Such a work would take more years to complete than re- 
 main to me upon earth, and tomes of ponderous volumes that 
 no mortal in these strenuous days could take time to read. It 
 may be that in coining years, when my pen is laid aside and 
 my voice is still, that many of the 'Daughters' will turn trust- 
 ingly to these pages for facts, which I shall endeavor to make 
 authentic. In a spirit of perfect fairness and impartiality, at 
 peace with all the world, with 'malice toward none and charily 
 for all,' I transmit to the future as well as to the present mem- 
 bers of the National Society, these words of truth, in so far as 
 I have been able to gather the facts. ' ' 
 
 The book is dedicated by its author to Letitia Green Stev- 
 enson Chapter of the D. A. R. of Bloomington. 
 
 AT A MEETING OF THE LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON CHAPTER 
 D. A. R. HELD IN BLOOMINGTON, JANUARY 8, 1914, MRS. 
 CAPEN PRESENTED AND READ THE FOLLOWING RESOLU- 
 TIONS: 
 
 "Your committee, appointed to prepare and present a trib- 
 ute to the memory of Letitia Green Stevenson, who, on Christ- 
 mas night, passed to the better land, respectfully report : 
 
 "Our chapter was organized by her and to her constant 
 labors and oversight we are brought to our present prosperity 
 
LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON 1 9 
 
 and enviable position. In all her relations of life she was a 
 model of gentleness and grace, the ripest product of southern 
 and western culture and refinement — one of those rare spirits 
 whom Providence, at times far apart, seems to delight to con- 
 fer upon a community. 
 
 "A noble woman, nobly planned, 
 To warn, to counsel, to command." 
 
 "Hers was an unfailing dignity, adorned with kindness, wis- 
 dom, courage, and high regard for the wishes and feelings of 
 others, always manifested and controlled by lofty patriotic 
 purpose. 
 
 ''It has been said the greatest of earth's benefactors are 
 the founders of states. The same is true of the one who laid 
 the foundations and built the superstructure of the society that 
 bears her honored name. We are blessed in having so beau- 
 tiful a character in our founder. She has consecrated and 
 sanctified our work for all to come. A solemn duty is placed 
 upon all of us to carry on what she has begun, to see to it 
 her self-denying efforts shall continue to hear fruit in future 
 days, ever to look up to her as an example of all that is true 
 ami good, ever to do as we think would meet her approval, were 
 she still with us — that her influence shall continue. 
 
 "For four terms the highest honor of the National Society 
 of the Daughters of the American Revolution were conferred 
 upon her. The great success that crowned her efforts was due 
 Largely to her unvarying tact, zeal and administrative ability, 
 hut more than all to personal charm of mind and heart. 
 
 "In her high position, in public and in private life, she 
 always lived up to exalted ideals, and enjoyed the complete confi- 
 dence of every one who had the privilege of her acquaintance, 
 hospitality and companionship." 
 
 "The worker dies; her work remains." 
 
 Mrs. John II. Burnii am 
 Mrs. Jonathan H. Cheney 
 Mrs. Ralph E. Brown 
 Mrs. Charles L. Capen. 
 
20 letitia green stevenson 
 
 Letitia Green Stevenson Chapter 
 
 op THE 
 
 Daughters of the American Revolution 
 
 Memorial Services 
 
 of 
 
 Mrs. Adlai E. Stevenson 
 
 A memorial service commemorative of the life and the passing 
 away of Mrs. Adlai E. Stevenson at her home in Bloomington, 
 Illinois, December 25, 1913, was held at the home of her sister, 
 Mrs. Matthew T. Scott, Thursday afternoon, February 12, 1914. 
 Mrs. Sain Welty, chairman of the Memorial Committee, presided. 
 The letters were read by different members of the Chapter. 
 
 Mrs. Welty : — Dear friends and the Letitia Green Stevenson 
 Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution : We are gath- 
 ered today in loving reverence to pay tribute to one whose name 
 we have the great honor and privilege to bear — Letitia Green 
 Stevenson. As a woman her life was a constant expression of all 
 that was true and noble ; as an officer, and member of our organi- 
 zation, her loyalty and faithful service will ever be a source of 
 inspiration to us. 
 
 Dr. J. N. Elliott of the Second Presbyterian Church of 
 Bloomington offered prayer. 
 
 MRS. HARVEY C. DE MOTTE, WHO SERVED AS THE THIRD RE- 
 GENT OF THE CHAPTER, TOLD OF MRS. STEVENSON'S PART 
 IN THE FORMATION OF THE CHAPTER 
 
 In view of the fact that the Letitia Green Stevenson Chapter, 
 Daughters of the American Revolution, owes not only its name, 
 but also its very existence to the beloved one in whose memory 
 we are met this afternoon, it seems eminently proper that a brief 
 history of the organization of this chapter be given at this time. 
 
 During the early years of the organization of the National 
 Society of the D. A. R., Mrs. Stevenson, as wife of the Vice- 
 President of the United States, resided in Washington. It was 
 also during her residence there that the honor of being elected 
 President General of the National Society of the D. A. R. came 
 to her. 
 
 Mrs. Stevenson, having the blood of the heroes of the Revolu- 
 tion in her veins, and being moved by a desire that the women of 
 her beloved home city should be recognized as second to none in 
 
LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON 2 I 
 
 the land in patriotism and loyalty to the true principles of pa- 
 triotism, on her return home called a public meeting for ladies, to 
 be held at her home, for the purpose of explaining to them the 
 object of the Society of the Daughters of the American Revolu- 
 tion, and the extent of its work during the past three years. 
 
 A large number of ladies responded to the call. They, real- 
 izing that "reform in patriotic reverence and sentiment was an 
 actual need in the American home," and believing that women 
 should have a large part in bringing about such a reform, de- 
 cided at once to organize a Chapter. 
 
 In a short time, fourteen ladies had proved their eligibility to 
 membership and the application for permission to organize a 
 Chapter was forwarded to the National Society in Washington. 
 
 To Mrs. Dr. Parke belongs the honor of proposing the name 
 of Letitia Green Stevenson to be the name of the newly organized 
 chapter. 
 
 Our chapter is unique in being the only one which for many 
 years bore the name of the person still living for whom it was 
 named. It was undoubtedly the leadership and influence of Mrs. 
 Stevenson which gave our chapter the prestige it has held from 
 the beginning. With queenly bearing Mrs. Stevenson often stood 
 in our midst to counsel and encourage, and always with that calm 
 dignity that commands respect, holds the attention, and at the 
 same time wins the love of all. 
 
 With the inspiration of such a leader surely only the highest 
 ideals and purest motives should ever control the workings of 
 this chapter. 
 
 TRIBUTE BY MES. EENEST MAMMEN, REGENT OF THE CHAPTER 
 
 Today, though I greatly regret my inability to be with you in 
 person, I am indeed with you in spirit. 
 
 From out our broad land have come numerous messages of 
 love and praise, tributes from friends and fellow workers of our 
 beloved and lamented Honorary President General, Mrs. Adlai 
 E. Stevenson. 
 
 These expressions denote but in a small way the far reaching 
 extent of her sweet influence. While from North, South, East, 
 and West, come messages of love for her with sorrow for her loss, 
 we, of her own chapter, mourn her loss as the inner circle, the 
 home of friends in whose hearts she is forever enshrined. 
 
 We, Daughters of Letitia Green Stevenson Chapter, can in 
 no way do too great honor to the sacred memory of her whose 
 name we bear. 
 
 Her spirit of patriotism inspired the organization of this chap- 
 ter, whose interest she always bore upon her mind and heart. 
 Constantly forgetful of herself and oftentimes at a sacrifice of 
 her own physical strength, she helped us in many ways, and was 
 
22 LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON 
 
 always determined to give her best. Her ear was ever alert to 
 hear our needs, her wise counsel always given. She not only 
 loved the work. She loved us. 
 
 How often have we been the happy recipient of her kind and 
 gracious hospitality, in her own beautiful and well ordered home. 
 How often by her gentle loving words, were we cheered and 
 strengthened, leaving her presence with feelings of gratitude, rev- 
 erence and love, for her who was not only the center and joy of 
 our chapter, but also of her peaceful home. From her, we gained 
 inspiration for greater effort, for better home making, for broad- 
 er charity. 
 
 Her loyalty to the high principles of patriotism and good citi- 
 zenship, and to many lines of work for which our organization 
 stands, her persistent effort, her faithfulness to duty, and deep 
 love for home and family ties, her splendid devotion to, and pride 
 in, the achievements of her honored sister, her devotion to our 
 chapter, all these should be and are to us an inspiration. Her 
 gracious influence lives on in the hearts of those who love her. 
 
 Her last and crowning act of love and loyalty to us was the 
 dedication to this chapter of that into which she had worked her 
 best thought and effort, her beautiful book. This may be to 
 each of us an ever present reminder of her life, which was in the 
 painful hours of the last hard months, as well as in the brighter 
 days spent in loving thought fulness, in self-sacrifice for the good 
 of those she loved, the beautiful life of our own dear lamented 
 Mrs. Stevenson. So while we grieve at her loss, and sympathize 
 most tenderly with all her loved ones, let us keep before us these 
 high ideals and work on in the same spirit of loyalty and love, 
 until with tasks completed we shall greet her in a joy which has 
 no end. 
 
 TRIBUTE BY MRS. JAMES B. TAYLOR, OF EUGENE, OREGON, THE 
 FIRST REGENT OF THE CHAPTER 
 
 It is with a full heart that I sit down to pay my last tribute to 
 Mrs. Adlai E. Stevenson. Back of all official acquaintance and 
 relations, there were personal ties of friendship stretching over 
 many years. Being near neighbors with many common interests 
 and sympathies, I was often in her home and she in mine. We 
 were personal friends; and nothing in all the years happened to 
 ruffle that friendship and perfect cordiality. To me she was 
 always full of response and full of kindness. 
 
 Under her regime as President General of the D. A. R., I was 
 selected first regent of the chapter which chose and wears her 
 name for its own. In all the perplexities and stresses of three 
 years of official relations, my experience was a perfect replica of 
 w r hat I had found her to be in private life. The same gracious 
 personality I had met by her fireside shone out under official 
 
LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON 23 
 
 conditions. I can but remember it all as one of the blessed and 
 tender and much-to-be-appreciated associations of my life. It is 
 an honor to be associated with one so able; and, afterward, a 
 fragrant memory to look back to her personal graces. 
 
 Now that she is gone from us, I join with others of her 
 Daughters of Letitia Green Stevenson Chapter, D. A. R., in lay- 
 ing a tribute of love and appreciation on her grave. As we inher- 
 ited her name, may we inherit her high sense of honor, her deep 
 conscientiousness, her motherly care and faithfulness for those 
 who belonged to her, and her absolute loyalty to our Society. 
 
 Like a greeting from the other world came to me her book 
 after the message of the wires told me she had crossed the borders. 
 It helped make me feel that she is still with us, to help us and in- 
 spire us — as indeed her spirit is. 
 
 TRIBUTE BY MRS. JOHN C. AMES, OF CHICAGO, FORMER STATE 
 REGENT, AND NOW VICE-FRESIDENT GENERAL FOR ILLI- 
 NOIS. 
 
 It is with profound sorrow that Illinois records another visita- 
 tion of the Grim Reaper into the ranks of the Daughters of the 
 American Revolution. Again we are bereft of one of our most 
 brilliant and best loved members, Mrs. Adlai E. Stevenson. 
 
 On December twenty-fifth, when the whole Christian world 
 was filled with happiness, celebrating the birth of our Saviour, 
 after an illness of several months, our beloved Honorary Presi- 
 dent General quietly entered "that undiscovered country," and 
 joined the choir invisible in singing the glad hosannahs to Christ, 
 whom she so conscientiously followed all her life. 
 
 Mrs. Stevenson has held a warm place in the hearts of the 
 Daughters of the American Revolution since the organization of 
 the Society. She was elected three times to the office of Presi- 
 dent General, being the second and fourth woman to occupy that 
 position. In the years which intervened between the organization 
 and the day of her passing away, she was at all times our ' ' Guide, 
 Philosopher and Friend. ' ' 
 
 Her last work for the Daughters was putting into book form 
 her personal knowledge of the early history of the National 
 Society. A valuable book, prized not only as a reference book, 
 but as the work of the heart, head and hand of our much be- 
 loved Honorary President General. 
 
 A summary of Mrs. Stevenson's life is in itself the finest 
 eulogy that could be written of any woman. She was a christian 
 gentlewoman, and whether abroad or standing at the side of her 
 illustrious husband, receiving the homage of the people of our 
 Nation, or quietly teaching her Sunday School class in her home 
 church, she was always the same sweet, gracious, womanly 
 
24 
 
 LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON 
 
 woman. To those nearest and dearest to her we offer our ten- 
 derest sympathy. 
 
 To the Letitia Green Stevenson Chapter, which had so firm a 
 hold upon her affections, to you also we extend our sympathy. 
 May the memory of her loving counsel and beautiful example 
 be an incentive to live for the highest and best that life can give. 
 
 It was the duty of your State Regent and Vice President Gen- 
 eral to bring before the National Board N. S. D. A. R., the 
 official notice of the passing of our Honorary President General 
 into the ' ' Life Eternal. ' ' It was with grateful hearts we listened 
 to words of love and praise from friends who had worked with 
 her for many years. 
 
 Everywhere Mrs. Stevenson has been known her loss will be 
 felt. But our loss is her gain, and can be no better expressed 
 than by the little verse with which Mrs. Stevenson closes the 
 chapter recording the death of our first President General Mrs. 
 Caroline Scott Harrison : 
 
 "Death is another life. We bow our heads at going out, we 
 think and enter straight another golden chamber of the King's, 
 larger than this we leave, and lovelier." 
 
 TRIBUTE BY MRS. GEORGE A. LAWRENCE, OF GALESBURG, 
 STATE REGENT OF ILLINOIS 
 
 Your state regent and five thousand Daughters of the Ameri- 
 can Revolution in Illinois, on this Memorial Day to Mrs. Steven- 
 son, would reverently draw our flags to half mast to show our 
 appreciation, respect and love for her. Sweet and solemn are the 
 thoughts that come as we think of her beneficent life. She was 
 peculiarly yours, at the same time she was ours. She lives in such 
 a rare and beautiful way in what she was to us and what she was 
 for us. 
 
 Many are the letters telling of the inspiration Mrs. Adlai E. 
 Stevenson was when she was our President General. She was 
 loving, kind, patient, courageous, diligent and careful in every 
 detail of every cause that came before her when she was the 
 head of our organization. She was imbued with a deep sense of 
 justice, and also possessed a heart keen to all human sensibilities. 
 To her, administration of justice was a high duty and a human 
 exercise of power. She was ever a thinker and a student, seeking 
 for the truth at all times. She was thorough, keen, tenacious, and 
 her unflinching loyalty won for her the admiration and friend- 
 ship of all with whom she was associated. Daughters felt that 
 Mrs. Stevenson was worthy of their trust. She was considerate, 
 kindly, companionable. She made and kept many close friend- 
 ships, and proved her loyalty by acts of sympathy and helpful- 
 ness. In civic betterment she was a support ; her accurate insight 
 
LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON 2$ 
 
 into human nature, her business ability and sound judgment gave 
 her prestige and made her opinions of value in municipal, edu- 
 cational and charitable affairs. No wonder that Mrs. Stevenson 
 was a power ; no wonder that our national and state organization 
 were proud of and loved her, for such examples of womanhood 
 are rare. 
 
 As she saw chiefly the good in those around her, and as her 
 outlook upon the world delighted in the signs of better things 
 for her National Society and for humanity ; as her mind was pure, 
 as she made herself felt on the side of right and justice ; as she 
 served her God, her country, her home, so may our souls be 
 stirred by desires and resolves to go and do as she has done— live 
 in deeds worthy our day and generation. 
 
 Illinois Daughters shall meet and shall miss the sweet pres- 
 ence of our Mrs. Stevenson, but written upon the tables of our 
 hearts is that which will never die. We thank God for having 
 given to the Daughters of the American Revolution such a friend, 
 such a helper, such a leader as was our Mrs. Adlai E. Stevenson. 
 
 TRIBUTE BY MRS. ELLEN HARDIN WALWORTH, OF SARATOGA 
 SPRINGS, N. Y., THE ONLY LIVING FOUNDER OF THE NA- 
 TIONAL SOCIETY OF THE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN 
 REVOLUTION, ALSO HONORARY VICE-PRESIDENT GENERAL 
 
 It is with mingled sadness and pleasure that I recall the first 
 days, when, as "Daughters," we could claim Mrs. Adlai E. 
 Stevenson as our President General and leader, at a most critical 
 period of our history. 
 
 We had lost, by death, our first and notable President General, 
 Mrs. Benjamin Harrison, and through a reverence for her mem- 
 ory, and because the time would be short till the meeting of our 
 Continental Congress, no one had been appointed to take her 
 place, though an appeal had been made for such action. Great 
 anxiety was felt by our Founders and leaders lest the platform 
 that had been established in the appointment of Mrs. Harrison 
 as President General, thus granting us an affiliation with the gov- 
 ernment of our country, should be abandoned or endangered. 
 The vital amendment of lineal descent, which question had been 
 inserted in the Constitution after it left the hands of our Found- 
 ers, was pending exciting conditions. 
 
 The transfer of the sovereign power of our organization from 
 the Board of Management to the Continental Congress, as rep- 
 resenting the people (the members) was yet under its experi- 
 mental strain. You can therefore, imagine with what relief and 
 exultation these leaders received the gracious reply of Mrs. Stev- 
 enson that she would accept the nomination they had offered 
 to her. She was elected with but a nominal opposition, and finally 
 
26 LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON 
 
 by the same unanimous vote that carried her into the same high 
 office again and again and again. She was eminently fitted, as 
 by a special Providence, for the responsibilities before her; born 
 in Pennsylvania, of old Kentucky and Virginia lineage, and her 
 mature years spent as a resident of the progressive, enthusiastic 
 Empire State of the grand middle west, who could so readily as 
 she heal the wounds of the civil war, and embrace in her loving 
 soul the heart-sore South, and the exulting North, and seal that 
 union which was a main reason for the organization of our 
 Society. 
 
 Her husband, the Vice-President of the United States, whose 
 high character and wise statesmanship was known and recognized 
 in every corner of the land, was devoted to her, and ready to up- 
 hold all of her patriotic efforts. 
 
 .Mrs. Stevenson was a woman of classical education, a rare 
 endowment twenty years ago; and she had the strength of char- 
 acter and breadth of view that well-directed culture gives. In per- 
 son her presence was commanding, yet gentle ; she had a fascinat- 
 ing smile that won the timid and hesitating. She was also gifted 
 with the power of wise selection and discriminating intuition that 
 places the right person to lead an important work, as illustrated 
 in her choice of Mrs. Stranahan to preside, at intervals, in the 
 Second Continental Congress; Mrs. Hogg, as her adviser in 
 question of lineal descent; Mrs. S. V. White, that marvelous phil- 
 anthropist, to initiate the "daughters" work in the superb monu- 
 ment to the Prison Ship Martyrs; Mrs. Dempster to emphasize 
 our determination to save the Stars and Stripes from desecra- 
 tion; and Mrs. Shepard, to organize the all-important task of 
 giving material life to our dream of a marble palace for our 
 "memorial and Home" in the Capitol of our Nation. 
 
 These appointments were like an inspiration, and still more 
 so was the skilled and sagacious way in which she, herself, led 
 our National Society at the World's Columbian Exposition, be- 
 ing on record with Mrs. Palmer, Mrs. Henrotin and the group 
 of women notable in that event, of American women. We were 
 proud of our President General, standing in the glare of the 
 ' ' Great White City, ' ' in the presence of the assembled world. 
 
 Do you wonder then that when our gracious and popular 
 President General, Mrs. J. \V. Foster, declared that it was im- 
 possible for her to serve in that office more than one year, that 
 we turned eagerly to our true and tried leader, Mrs. Stevenson, 
 and that again, at much personal sacrifice of ease and leisure, 
 she gratified the hopes and demands of her loving "Daughters"; 
 and that we. upon seeing her once more presiding, "went wild 
 with enthusiasm;" such a spontaneous ovation has rarely ever 
 been given to any woman, as the applause with which we then 
 gave expression to our joy and affection. 
 
LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON 2J 
 
 Under her gentle sway we continued to prosper, we out-grew 
 the little church at the corner of 14th and L streets; we out- 
 grew the Columbia Theatre, at 12th and F streets; we out- 
 grew the Chase Opera House on Pennsylvania Avenue. Under 
 her influence we developed and defined closely our methods of 
 work. We inaugurated the printed Statute Book to give per- 
 manence and value to the decrees of the Continental Congress. 
 We began the publication of the now invaluable Lineage Book, 
 and also the Directory. 
 
 In the Sixth Continental Congress her firm and fair rulings 
 sustained the defenders of the Constitution of the Society, which 
 was threatened with a sweeping revision that would have changed 
 its character. 
 
 Thus in many ways did she help to lay the foundations of 
 this grand society of American women deep and strong; her 
 efforts are impressed on its principles; her name should be 
 ''writ large" on the pages of its history. Its membership can 
 look to her record for an example of justice and gentleness and 
 breadth of vision — equalled it is true, by that of her gifted and 
 honored sister, Mrs. Scott, our other President General (for 
 their names are indelibly linked in the history of this Society), 
 whose strong hand guided wisely the many untried and new 
 members of a later day; and whose generous ways decked our 
 marble palace with a regal wealth of flowers, and brought into it 
 the highest officers of the Government of the United States to 
 pay their homage to the memorial we women have wrought to 
 the Founders of the Great Republic those officers now serve. 
 
 Truly the contrast is great between the palatial Home of our 
 Society now, and the ' ' dark, steep stairway, ' ' our beloved Second 
 President General, Mrs. Stevenson, climbed to "the little narrow 
 room over the Riggs Bank," where she first presided over the 
 Board of Management. 
 
 ' ' Ah, then the Captain of our ranks has fallen ! 
 
 And 'twas she— our Second President General, 
 'Twas she who then our slender columns led, 
 
 Gathering a mighty force to win the fight, 
 
 Keeping our Country's Flag always in sight, 
 'Twas she who worked with us in our great cause, 
 
 And from every heart let our applause 
 
 King forth afar, Oh, Daughters, fair and proud! 
 
 But hush, hush ye, sing ye no longer loud; 
 
 Soft be your sounded praises like memory's minor lay, 
 
 For she of whom we sing tonight has gently passed away, 
 
 Only the great example of her life, so great and true, 
 
 Like a whispered benediction rests on me and rests on you!" 
 
28 LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON 
 
 TRIBUTE BY MBS. WILLIAM D. CABELL, OF CHICAGO, HONOR- 
 ARY PRESIDENT PRESIDING 
 
 The death of Mrs. Stevenson has carried sadness into many 
 hearts. None who knew her can fail to grieve over the passing 
 from out of their lives of that sweet and gracious personality. 
 
 To me the loss is very great, as we were united in sentiment 
 during the critical early days of the organization of our great 
 Society — the Daughters of the American Eevolution. I have 
 always greatly valued her harmonizing influence upon very com- 
 plicated and even antagonistic conditions evident in those times, 
 and it has been a source of permanent satisfaction to me that 
 through the devotion of my personal friends in the Society, I was 
 able to contribute towards her first election to the high office she 
 filled so well. When, at the election by the Second Continental 
 Congress, February, 1893, my name was among those urged for 
 the office of which I was discharging the duties, I prevailed upon 
 my friends to permit me to withdraw it openly, and to transfer 
 their votes to Mrs. Stevenson, whom I had already named to them 
 as the proper successor to Mrs. Harrison, and my judgment in 
 this matter was confirmed, not only by Mrs. Stevenson's first ten- 
 ure of office, but by her unanimous re-election after the one inter- 
 vening administration of Mrs. Foster. Such a re-election, under 
 such circumstances, was the truest possible testimonial to the 
 beautiful qualities of one whom so many united to value and to 
 love. 
 
 That the honor and welfare of our Society, unique in its or- 
 ganization and its aims, may be always upheld by the leadership 
 of such women as its two earliest presidents, Mrs. Harrison and 
 Mrs. Stevenson, is the profound wish of the woman who in per- 
 son presided over its first meeting for formal organization on 
 October 11, 1890. 
 
 TRIBUTE BY MRS. JOHN W. FOSTER, OF WASHINGTON, D. C, 
 HONORARY PRESIDENT GENERAL 
 
 It has been one of the highest privileges of my life to have 
 enjoyed the friendship and companionship of Mrs. Stevenson 
 for many years, from her first temporary residence in Washing- 
 ton up to the time of her death and for a portion of her visit in 
 foreign lands. In the intimate relationship we sustained during 
 that period I came to know and value the high and noble qualities 
 of her character. Her family relations were ideal. She gave 
 her unreserved devotion to her husband in high office. She was 
 a thorough American, a patriot who fully appreciated the bless- 
 ings which our forefathers had secured to us as a people and as 
 individuals, and as a twice elected President of our National 
 
LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON 29 
 
 Society, and in her personal relations was an efficient worker to 
 honor the memory and perpetuate the principles of the heroes 
 of the Revolution. As a member of society her influence was al- 
 ways on the side of pure and noble aspirations, and in her inter- 
 course with those about her she never failed to spread a genial 
 and loving spirit. Above all, she was a sincere and earnest Chris- 
 tian, and with becoming modesty, she obeyed her Master's com- 
 mand to so let her light shine before men, that they saw her 
 works and glorified her Heavenly Father. 
 
 Though she has gone from our presence, she still lives 
 amongst us in the memory of her noble life. 
 
 TRIBUTE BY MRS. DANIEL MANNING, OF ALBANY, NEW YORK, 
 HONORARY PRESIDENT GENERAL 
 
 Mrs. Adlai Stevenson was a woman of rare sweetness of 
 character and strong personality. Every responsibility that 
 came to her she met with charming grace and dignity. As 
 wife of Post Master General or Vice-President of the United 
 States and as President General of the D. A. R., she won dis- 
 tinction for her executive ability and devotion to the upbuilding 
 of the society. She was a loyal friend and I send this little 
 tribute to one I loved through a long and happy association. 
 
 TRIBUTE BY MRS. DONALD McLEAN, OF NEW YORK CITY, HON- 
 ORARY PRESIDENT GENERAL 
 
 Over twenty years ago, there journeyed to Washington (in 
 my own person) a young woman, inexperienced in aught save 
 social life, ignorant of the whys and wherefores, the ways and 
 means of woman's organized activities; but instinct with the 
 respect for upright dealings and filled with an inner love of truth, 
 justice and honor (the priceless heritage of an unstained an- 
 cestry) — and these qualities needed but the magic touch of a 
 noble leader, to awaken them to action, and to arouse the fealty 
 and loyalty of an enthusiastic soul. Such leader arose before 
 these mine eyes, in the full beautitude of her precious person- 
 ality — a loved and loving, a wise and generous President General 
 Daughters American Revolution, Mrs. Adlai E. Stevenson. 
 
 This writer believes that Mrs. Stevenson, whose serene and 
 lovely face, framed in its golden hair, indicated the nobility of 
 nature and the rightful pride of an indomitable soul, wielded 
 an influence far beyond that which she herself realized. A boon 
 she was to women — and to the Society D. A. R., which needed 
 her, reposed confidence in her superlative ability and gave devo- 
 tion to her presence, which presence at once illumined and stilled 
 the mind and soul of the assembled multitude. 
 
30 LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON 
 
 Feeling these things so keenly as does the writer, may she 
 relate the fact already upon the records of the Society — that it 
 was upon the motion of Mrs. Donald McLean of New York, 
 that Mrs. Stevenson's election to a third term (not consecutive) 
 as President General, was made unanimous and to Mrs. Steven- 
 son came this honor for the first and last time in the history of 
 the D. A. R. 
 
 Added to her own gifts was the sure foundation of her hus- 
 band's wisdom and supporting strength. 
 
 Even these few words — inadequate in statement (and of a 
 brevity necessitated by the fact that others, too, desire to lay 
 memorial words about her imperishable memory), cannot be 
 transcribed without a word of gratitude to him who, as her hus- 
 band, gave himself even tho Vice-President of these United 
 States, the Hon. Adlai E. Stevenson, to this organization, which 
 can never fail to hold him in grateful recollection. 
 
 The last gift from Mrs. Stevenson's own dear hands came as 
 "Hail and Farewell" to this Daughter (one of her successors 
 as President General National Society D. A. R.), viz., the "Brief 
 History National Society Daughters of the American Revolu- 
 tion," an invaluable record of our D. A. R. days, in the first 
 quarter century of the society's exist encc. 
 
 Whatever the future may bring of effort or activities it con- 
 not recall her nor eclipse her estimable achievements. 
 
 "We may go to her — she cannot return to us." 
 
 God comfort those she has left — and reunite us, one and all, in 
 a glorious immortality. 
 
 TRIBUTE BY MRS. MIRANDA B. TULLOCH, OF WASHINGTON, 
 D. C, WHO SERVED AS TREASURER GENERAL AND VICE- 
 PRESIDENT GENERAL DURING MRS. STEVENSON'S ADMIN- 
 ISTRATION 
 
 It is a peculiar satisfaction to me to pay my tribute of re- 
 spect and love for Mrs. Stevenson. She was a woman of sweet 
 and winning personality, possessing rare gifts of mind and heart. 
 She was a devoted wife and mother, loyal to her friends, true 
 to her convictions and thoroughly imbued with patriotism and 
 love of courtesy. Her services as President General of the 
 Daughters of the American Revolution cannot be overestimated. 
 Although the Society had been ably guided from its inception, 
 yet it was in a formative period when Mrs. Stevenson was elected 
 president, and required great skill and thought to guide and di- 
 rect its affairs. Daughters were ambitious and restless, fond of 
 parliamentary discussions. Although there was a constitution 
 and by-laws, much wearisome time was spent in interpreting 
 them. It was a great delight to me when I saw the dignified par- 
 
LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON 3 I 
 
 liamentarian of the United States Senate sitting at the right hand 
 of Mrs. Stevenson. He had been instructed by the Vice Presi- 
 dent, her ever devoted and courteous husband, to assist her and 
 decide all difficult questions, feeling assured she needed a par- 
 liamentarian more than he did. Since that time a parliamentar- 
 ian has been employed by Congress. 
 
 While Mrs. Stevenson, in her "History of the National So- 
 ciety of the Daughters of the American Revolution" describes 
 receptions and social events of others, she modestly omits her 
 own delightful receptions. 
 
 I recall one among the many given by her to the National 
 Society then in session, resident Daughters and visitors. This 
 was February 22nd, 1894, in the parlors of the Normandie, from 
 4 to 6 p. m. The rooms were beautifully decorated, flags were 
 draped above the doorways, and caught back with clusters 
 of flowers. A great number of palms and cut flowers adorned 
 the rooms. In the tea room the decorations were of red and 
 on the table a large center piece of scarlet tulips. The collation 
 of salads and ices was served by dainty young ladies, who were 
 also pages in the Congress. Mrs. Stevenson was always taste- 
 fully gowned. On this occasion she received in a dress of white 
 satin, trimmed with ermine and crystal lace. The guests, after 
 greeting Mrs. Stevenson, were presented by her to her husband, 
 the Vice-President. She was ably assisted by her National of- 
 ficers, and other prominent women attending the Congress. 
 
 It was my good fortune to serve under her leadership in two 
 capacities, first as Treasurer General, later as Vice President Gen- 
 eral. As Treasurer General, I came to know and appreciate the 
 sterling qualities she possessed. She was ever faithful to the 
 duties of her office, and labored to place the Society on a firm 
 foundation. She was anxious that funds should be conserved 
 so that in the near future we could possess a home worthy of 
 those who made this nation free and independent. She advised 
 me personally or by letter to use tact and discretion with mem- 
 bers or chapters who did not realize the importance of promptly 
 fulfilling their obligations. 
 
 I have some autograph letters from her which I greatly treas- 
 ure. I will close this brief tribute by quoting a portion of a let- 
 ter from her, written February 6th, 1894, in response to a letter 
 of sympathy from me, which embodies the guiding principle 
 which influenced her life. 
 
 "Your letter of sympathy has been a great comfort to me, 
 and from the depths of a sad heart I thank you for it. But it is 
 not backward but forward we all must look, they, our loved ones, 
 cannot come to us, but we can go to them. So surely do I believe 
 in the resurrection of those who die in the Lord that it already 
 begins to be a sweet and cheering thought that the now sainted 
 
32 LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON 
 
 daughter who was so eminently the home daughter, will be the 
 daughter sainted and glorified to welcome us home as one by 
 one we all sooner or later gather on the shore." 
 
 Her spirit has taken flight from this fragile tenement of clay, 
 and from the mystery of life her soul has passed within the 
 greater mystery of life eternal. 
 
 TRIBUTE BY MRS. DANIEL LOTHROP, OF BOSTON, MASSACHU- 
 SETTS, FOUNDER OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CHILDREN 
 OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 
 
 Seasons come and go with unvarying regularity, filled with 
 work for human hands and hearts. Never a day passes without 
 some fulfillment of this work by which the world is benefited. 
 Enrichment is it for any life to be able to visualize the part of 
 the world's work lying directly at the door of such a life. Double 
 enrichment when the work is acknowledged, picked up and done. 
 
 A willing soul meets the Lord half way in this matter of 
 picking up work for the world's betterment. Such willingness 
 presupposes long areas of the past, getting ready to meet the 
 Lord half way. No one is immediately prepared for such glorious 
 co-operation; Frances Ridley Havergal's prayer is good to re- 
 member: "Prepare me, oh God, for what Thou are preparing for 
 me. ' ' 
 
 As well try to leap into a swirling current, without the swim- 
 mer's preparatory regimen of daily training. Who dares the 
 test of any trial without first battling with the elements that 
 threaten. Each soul that comes out unscathed from the strain 
 of circumstance, of environment, of all the baffling antagonisms 
 of life that surround every human being from the cradle to the 
 grave, does so by virtue of his or her equipment by long and pa- 
 tient training. He meets his or her duties by the way ; simply 
 accepts them and passes on to higher work. Such is a rare 
 soul. 
 
 When I first met Mrs. Adlai E. Stevenson so many years ago, 
 I classified her at once as one of these rare souls. Long acquain- 
 tance only increased my belief that she had merited such classifi- 
 cation. She won my attention by the sweet womanliness that 
 shone from her face and was revealed in her voice. I do not mean 
 that sweetness in face and voice carrying with it the thought 
 of mere amiability. Mrs. Stevenson was far from being that type 
 of woman. Here was the Christ-like sweetness of life and de- 
 meanor that permeated the deep strength of the inner life. Here 
 was a nature trained by years of experience to pick up those 
 great duties that lay in her path. When she was urged to accept 
 the duty of guiding the Daughters of the American Revolution, 
 did she shrink from the task ? Mrs. Stevenson took the work as 
 
LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON 33 
 
 from the hands of the Lord. And through all the years in which 
 she guided us, she never faltered, but worked on in that co- 
 operation with the Master. 
 
 The next thing that I noticed in studying Mrs. Stevenson 
 was her great ability. How gentle she was, but oh, how strong 
 and executive ! Oh," do not let us forget the trials and struggles 
 of those pioneers — the early workers in our great organization! 
 
 It is not given to us to fully realize them ; only those who 
 were part and parcel of those early days can do so. But we can 
 tell the story for those who followed the pioneers, till every 
 young Daughter knows it by heart. 
 
 What Mrs. Stevenson did to hold us together and guide us, 
 was most admirable work, and we are reaping the benefits today. 
 We can never be grateful enough for her administration those 
 two earlier terms, and again, those two additional ones when she 
 was recalled by the insistent desire of the National Society to be 
 its President-General. 
 
 Then I came into contact with her in the matters pertaining 
 to the Great Cause which I had proposed and originated at the 
 Congress D. A. R., in 1895— The National Society of the Chil- 
 dren of the American Revolution ; oh, how I trembled to intro- 
 duce that Cause !— f or it was in the early days, remember^ when 
 all our energies were strained to properly project and equip our 
 own organization. But the voice of the Lord rang through my 
 soul telling me to do it, and I had but to obey. 
 
 How kind she was! How receptive to the need of such a 
 cause being upheld by the D. A. R. Here the soul of the woman 
 shone forth and her belief in the fundamental principle of life 
 that puts a duty upon women especially, to safeguard the youth 
 of our Country, made me love her then and there. 
 
 There were so many obstacles in the way of the Cause. So 
 few of the D. A. R. at first saw its need. Others thought it 
 might be postponed, for the better forging ahead of the work 
 of the D. A. R. itself. Some royal souls saw the time was ripe 
 for the work to begin, realizing, oh, how true that was — that we 
 could best advance the interests of the D. A. R. by looking out 
 for the childhood of the Nation— and the National Society of the 
 Children of the American Revolution was born into the world ! 
 
 I ever found dear Mrs. Stevenson one of those royal souls 
 who in every way in her power bade me God-speed in my work 
 for this Cause. And one of the sweetest flowers of my remem- 
 brance that shall never wither, is the friendship with her that it 
 brought me, and the insight into her rare and gracious spirit 
 that was pure as a child's, and radiant with the strength and 
 beauty of true womanhood. 
 
34 LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON 
 
 TRIBUTE BY MBS. THOMAS MORGAN, OF SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, 
 EORMER STATE REGENT OF GEORGIA, AND ONE OF MRS. 
 STEVENSON'S MANY DEVOTED SOUTHERN FRIENDS 
 
 Fully realizing that my talent is too feeble to meet adequately 
 the sad and honorable part accorded me in the Memorial Meeting 
 to be held today, yet affectionate admiration and high apprecia- 
 tion of difficult services nobly rendered will help me to offer a 
 simple, heartfelt tribute to the memory of a distinguished woman 
 four times called upon to assume the leadership of the large af- 
 fairs of a great Society — a Society which has won the approving 
 attention of the Nation, which has in many directions eased the 
 burdens of appealing humanity and added a new grace and pur- 
 pose to further enhance the joys and usefulness of the American 
 home. 
 
 When I first met Mrs. Stevenson I was fresh from my dear 
 old Southland, and was held somewhat tight in the grip of con- 
 servatism, was loyal to its long established customs and tradi- 
 tions, in which ' ' woman 's sphere ' ' is clearly defined by the un- 
 written code of conventions. My associates, when they heard I 
 would attend the Continental Congress, and as State Regent of 
 Georgia, advocate certain measures, exclaimed, "Why will you 
 go and make a speech in public : none of the women of your peo- 
 ple ever did such a thing before. ' ' 
 
 When Mrs. Stevenson, gracefully and graciously, came upon 
 the stage, and assumed the duties of her high office, I realized 
 with a swelling heart, and quick sympathy, that a woman could 
 meet the new conditions facing her sex, could cross the threshold 
 of her home and enter into the busy activities of a larger world, 
 illustrate the potentialities of women to be useful as citizens, as 
 patriots in the uplift work of our common country, respond to 
 any reasonable call for co-operation in altruistic endeavor, and 
 be the same woman who typifies the highest ideals of wife, mother 
 and social leader. She can be this and something more by ad- 
 dition, not by substitution. 
 
 Mrs. Stevenson was a beloved and successful President Gen- 
 eral. The society over which she presided with so much tact, ease, 
 and ability, developed wonderfully along many lines during her 
 administration. 
 
 It may be claimed she was not directly concerned and active 
 in all these developments and improvements, but undoubtedly her 
 calm judgment, her gentle but strong insistence on the right, her 
 decisions never controlled by the personal equation or circum- 
 stance, her strict construction of the law, that defines the duties 
 of those holding the trusts and offices of the Society, were a 
 compelling and illuminating influence throughout the length and 
 
LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON 35 
 
 breadth of the organization, and kept its pulse from at any time 
 reaching a dangerous temperature. 
 
 As our President General, Mrs. Stevenson accorded every 
 right and privilege to the least known member of the Continental 
 Congress, she put herself in helpful touch with the most timid 
 delegate ; but all recognized her as an aristocrat, ' ' one of the fine 
 minority ' ' ; with this recognition the membership rested easy in 
 the thought that high birth carries an inherent sense of obliga- 
 tion on the part of the possessor to give her best; with Mrs. 
 Stevenson, her position as President General quickly developed 
 her latent talent for generalship, and she marshalled her forces 
 promptly to the achievement of the plans and purposes of the 
 organization. 
 
 Perhaps she had her failings. If so, I never saw them. Be- 
 ing human and called to an unique and exalted public station, she 
 formed a shining mark, but if criticisms were aroused, which I 
 never heard, the shadow soon disappeared before the sunshine 
 and blue sky she left all along her pathway. She was gentle, 
 sympathetic, courteous, just and strong; womanly and tender, 
 as she needs must have been by birth and training, and yet 
 formed to fill completely the enormous position to which she was 
 urgently called. 
 
 She has fallen asleep and now rests in sweet peace in the 
 House of Everlasting Silence. 
 
 The hearts of the members of the Society she loved well and 
 served faithfully, are full of an enduring regret that she will no 
 more move among us to encourage us in well doing. 
 
 We will keep lovely memories of her in our hearts — unfading 
 immortelles — that bear tribute to a good and distinguished 
 woman, an exquisite lady, a President General who ruled over a 
 great body of women with a gentleness that was never weakness, 
 with justice that was always tempered by consideration, with 
 ability that was always womanly even in its sturdy manifesta- 
 tions, with a righteousness that crowned her with love and ad- 
 miration while she abided among us, and is earning a richer 
 reward, now that she has been called Upward. 
 
 TRIBUTE BY MISS AMARYLLIS GILLETT, FORMERLY OF ELK- 
 HART, ILLINOIS, BUT NOW OF WASHINGTON, D. C, WHO 
 HAS SERVED AS LIBRARIAN GENERAL 
 
 Appreciating the privilege of paying a tribute to the lovely 
 and winning personality of our noble leader, who has so recently 
 passed to the life beyond, I will say that from my earliest recol- 
 lections, I have known and valued Mrs. Adlai E. Stevenson as 
 a typical exponent of gracious womanhood. 
 
 Possessed of a feminine charm which won all hearts, she 
 presided with equal grace at the hearthstone, by the side of her 
 
36 LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON 
 
 honored husband in the limelight of official life, and in the halls 
 of fame as leader of our greatest patriotic order of women. 
 
 It is from the potent example of such women that a new type 
 of woman is known and exalted in our nation, or, rather it is 
 woman today again acknowledged as she was in Revolutionary 
 times, a factor in the wondrous progress of our Western world. 
 They who live in the ideal but work in the real life to develop and 
 proclaim pure patriotism. 
 
 (A list of the resolutions from Chapters throughout the coun- 
 try bearing upon the beautiful character of Mrs. Stevenson was 
 read by Mrs. Carl Vrooman. ) 
 
 TEIBUTE BY DE. JOHN W. DINSMOEE, OF SAN JOSE, CALIFOE- 
 NIA, WHO WAS FOE TWENTY YEAES PASTOE OF THE SEC- 
 OND PEESBYTEEIAN CHUECH OF BLOOMINGTON; CONTEI- 
 BUTES HIS LOVING APPEECIATION OF MES. STEVENSON'S 
 LIFE AND CHAEACTEE 
 
 I have been informed by your Regent that it is your purpose 
 to hold a memorial service in honor of that blessed woman for 
 whom your chapter is named, and who has lately departed out of 
 this world ; and I have been requested to send a tribute to her 
 memory to be presented at this meeting. 
 
 I am thankful for the privilege of laying a modest chaplet on 
 the grave of this honored and beloved woman. And I beg you 
 to accept what I here say as coming from myself not only, but no 
 less from my dear wife, who has been deeply and tenderly at- 
 tached to Mrs. Stevenson for many long years. Indeed, it voices 
 the feelings of all my children, too, who were taught from their 
 earliest childhood to hold her in the highest respect and admira- 
 tion. 
 
 I have known Mrs. Stevenson for more than forty years. 
 When I made her acquaintance she was in the bloom and beauty 
 of her early wifehood and motherhood. I soon came to regard 
 her with great admiration for the singular charm of her per- 
 sonality, and with warm appreciation of the uncommon grace, 
 beauty and nobility of her character. These feelings grew in 
 depth and strength through all the passing years, and were never 
 more alive than at the end. 
 
 Mrs. Stevenson was well-born and well-bred. Through a line 
 of worthy progenitors, she inherited integrity, valor and gentle 
 blood. Her father was an eminent and eloquent minister of the 
 gospel, a man of high character, Made reputation and great in- 
 fluence. Her queenly mother is still remembered by many of 
 you, for, who that ever knew her can forget her ? 
 
LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON 37 
 
 Iii consequence, Mrs. Stevenson had the advantage of the best 
 education and the best social and religious environment from the 
 first. So she grew up, combining in herself, and in striking pro- 
 portion and symmetry, those charms of body, mind and heart 
 which made her singularly attractive, and which called forth not 
 only the admiration but the spontaneous affection, of all who 
 fell under the wholesome spell of her presence. There was noth- 
 ing whatever of the bold, the self-assertive, or mannish in her 
 nature ; all that was utterly alien and hateful to her ; but there 
 was a combination of gentleness and strength, of modesty and 
 high spirit, which was at once striking and beautiful. She was 
 called to fill many and various positions in her life in the home, 
 in society, in the church, and in the larger sphere of public life 
 into which she accompanied her honored husband, and yet she 
 never held a position which she did not dignify and adorn. 
 Beauty of person, brightness of mind, breadth of intelligence, 
 soundness of principle, sweetness of disposition, vivacity, cour- 
 age, unflinching loyalty and devotion to whatever person or thing 
 she set her heart upon, were all blended and balanced in her as 
 they are in but few. Upon her husband and children, first of all, 
 then upon near kindred and close friends, she lavished the wealth 
 of her rich and affectionate nature without reluctance or reserve. 
 Indeed, upon all with whom she came in contact there fell the 
 impression of simplicity, sincerity, and all-pervasive good-will, 
 which at once won reciprocal sympathy and friendship. Often 
 and for long periods of time, she was a great sufferer from in- 
 tense bodily pain, but from these baptisms of agony she always 
 emerged with a spirit which was neither broken nor soured. 
 Over all she was a serene and undoubted victor. 
 
 Mrs. Stevenson was born to an inheritance and citizenship 
 in the Commonwealth of Christ. She had a birthright in the 
 Kingdom of Heaven. This high dignity and great blessing she 
 openly claimed for herself in her early girlhood, and she stead- 
 fastly held to it, prized it and rejoiced in it to the end. The 
 Risen and Glorified Christ she implicitly trusted as her Saviour, 
 and reverently adored as her Lord. She accepted with joy the 
 responsibilities of the Christian life, discharged its duties with 
 fidelity, and bore its trials with meekness and fortitude. His 
 grace was sufficient for her. On Christmas night last, her sweet, 
 chastened, modest and sainted spirit ascended out of the realm 
 of shadows and suffering, into His presence, and she saw face to 
 face, Him whom she had long loved and adored. Dear, suffering, 
 sainted and victorious Friend, All Hail, and Farewell ; till the 
 shadows vanish and the darkness disappears ! 
 
 Through the sacred portals of the home where she so long 
 reigned as queen I shall not here and now attempt to pass. 
 Into that sanctuary no outsider, however near, may presume to 
 
38 LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON 
 
 enter. It is enough to say that her husband praises her in the 
 gates, and her children and grandchildren rise up and call her 
 blessed. Now, in the bitter grief and lonesomeness of the separa- 
 tion, they must feel a pathetic and solemn pride that they had so 
 much to give up. A great multitude mingle their tears with 
 theirs, and besides there are many hundreds, probably thou- 
 sands, near and far away, on earth and some in heaven, who 
 gratefully acknowledge the blessed touch of her gracious min- 
 istry. 
 
 Dear Ladies: I beg you to dismiss all suspicion that these 
 words are in any sense or degree fulsome or extravagant. Those 
 who know me know well that it is not my habit to speak idle and 
 wanton words in praise of the dead; least of all to speak such 
 words of a dear and cherished friend. That would be a desecra- 
 tion of her memory. For more than twenty years I was her 
 pastor, and for more than forty I have been her friend, and these 
 are the words of truth and soberness. During all these years 
 myself and my family have enjoyed the close and affectionate 
 friendship of her who has gone and of her family. Let my right 
 hand forget its cunning, and my tongue cleave to the roof of my 
 mouth, if I ever forget their gracious offices of love to me and 
 mine. 
 
 Let me close this paper by avowing my assured faith in the 
 sweet words of quaint old George Herbert : 
 
 These eyes again thine eyes shall see ; 
 These hands again thy hands enfold, 
 And all sweet pleasures to be told 
 Shall everlasting be. 
 
 (Mrs. Stevenson did not confine her interests to the Daugh- 
 ters of the American Revolution, but found a place in her great 
 heart and mind for the work of the Woman's Clubs throughout 
 the country.) 
 
 MRS. CAROLINE F. J. KIMBALL, A FORMER REGENT OF THE 
 CHAPTER SPOKE OF MRS. STEVENSON'S INTEREST IN THE 
 WOMAN'S CLUB OF BLOOMINGTON 
 
 We knew her as — 
 
 ' ' A perfect woman, nobly planned 
 To warn, to comfort, and command." 
 
 When to any community comes the loss of such a one as was 
 our much loved Mrs. Adlai E. Stevenson, many strings of the 
 harp of life are touched and the vibrations echo from many 
 hearts. 
 
 A perfect type of ideal womanhood, born for leadership and 
 command, she gathered about her many women who gladly fol- 
 lowed wherever she led. 
 
LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON 39 
 
 One of the largest movements with which she identified her- 
 self, and to which she gave generously of her thoughts, her time, 
 , and her strength, was the Woman 's Club of Bloomington. 
 ^/ This was organized March 22, 1897, at a time when women 
 
 were beginning to heed the calls to social service in aid of those 
 outside of the home, and to feel that such service could be best 
 rendered through organization. 
 
 Mrs. Stevenson, pre-eminently a home-maker, but neverthe- 
 less one who never evaded a responsibility or a duty, heard the 
 call, and headed the movement for a union of the women of our 
 city, for co-operative work for themselves individually and for 
 the civic body. 
 
 For four years she served as president of the club. Those 
 four years saw steady progress along all lines of activity, and 
 when at the end of this period she felt that she must retire and 
 leave the burden to other hands it was with the greatest regret 
 that her resignation was accepted. 
 
 At the same time she was unanimously and enthusiastically 
 elected President Emeritus. 
 
 To her work in the early years of its existence, the club is 
 greatly indebted. Because of her leadership, her example and 
 her counsel we are better women and better citizens, with a wider 
 view of our responsibilities. 
 
 An able parliamentarian, a wise and judicious presiding of- 
 ficer, her beautiful personality, her gracious bearing and her 
 never failing courtesy endeared her to every member. With the 
 poet we would say : 
 
 "Grace was in all her steps, heaven in her eye, 
 In every gesture dignity and love." 
 
 MRS. MATTHEW T. SCOTT, HONORARY PRESIDENT GENERAL, 
 OFFERED A SISTER'S TRIBUTE 
 
 Through the vista of years, my thoughts turn to a line of 
 distinguished women, whose ability and fidelity, dedicated to the 
 objects, traditions and ideals of our Society, have lent it lustre 
 and deathless fame. A deeper touch, a tenderer thrill throbs 
 through every fibre of my being, as today I bring my leaf to the 
 wreath of memory, which gathers every leaf, every flower, every 
 petal of this sacred hour, in a garland of everlasting remem- 
 brance. 
 
 Especially tender and pathetic for me is this service, sacred 
 to the memory of the lovely and sainted woman, whose historic 
 name our beloved chapter bears. The spirit of Letitia Green 
 Stevenson lingers in our beautiful city, a fragrant memory and 
 our chapter is honored in the name which links us closely with 
 
40 
 
 LETITIA GREEN STEVENSON 
 
 one of the most beloved women in our country — a name that 
 wherever it is spoken, has become a synonym for feminine charm, 
 dignity and tact. 
 
 Not only is the impress of her beautiful character and her fine 
 personality stamped upon this splendid Letitia Green Stevenson 
 chapter — but upon the great organization of which she was the 
 second President General. Her image is an abiding inspiration, 
 and her memory will become one of those beautiful finger-marks 
 in the path of time, that even the years cannot obliterate. 
 
 My personal feeling is too deep for utterance, as I recall the 
 passionate loyalty to our great Society, and its highest interests 
 which inspired this noble and devoted woman. 
 
 For me the loss of her counsel and sympathy, her confidence 
 and her affection, is unspeakable. The fragile frame held a spirit 
 so true, so radiant with that sincerity which is a cordial to the 
 sou l_that I bow my head in sorrow that no words can express. 
 
 Through the last months of suffering and weakness — faithful 
 unto death — her great heart still turned to her beloved D. A. R. 
 Society, and the great interests it represents. 
 
 I am sure I may be forgiven in this pathetic hour, for speak- 
 ing of her devotion to myself, which was a tower of strength, a 
 strong staff I leaned upon, a resource in trial that never failed 
 me. 
 
 The loss and the grief are ours. "She has passed serenely 
 where, beyond these voices, there is peace." And of her it may 
 truly be said, "Before she closed her eyes for the last time, she 
 found upon the record of her stewardship no act of injustice 
 no failure of duty, no shadow of wrong, nor anything that 
 would leave a blot upon her soul or a stain upon her memory. 
 
 Dr. J. N. Elliott offered the closing prayer. 
 
 MEMORIAL COMMITTEE 
 
 Mrs. Sain Welty Mrs. Harvey C. DeMotte 
 
 Mrs. Ernest Mammen Mrs. Caroline F. J. Kimball 
 
 Mrs. Herbert M. Rollins Mrs. Ralph E. Brown 
 
AMat lEurittg ^telifttann 
 
 Passed A^ay at the 
 
 Presbyterian Hospital of Chicago 
 
 on the 
 
 Morning of June 14, 1914 
 
42 
 
 ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 
 
 EDITORIAL EROM THE BLOOMINGTON BULLETIN, JUNE 15 
 
 In sombre contrast to the home-comings of other days was 
 the scene at the railway station last night where relatives and 
 friends gathered to accompany the body of former Vice-Presi- 
 dent Stevenson to the hearth that had been the stage of so many 
 charming and memorable hospitalities, but now hushed by the 
 hand of death. 
 
 On more than one great national occasion Mr. Stevenson had 
 been welcomed home from victories which brought high honor to 
 his city, and the greeting of waving flags, blaring bands and 
 cheering hosts was like the tributes given conquering generals of 
 old. 
 
 Bloomington is justly proud of the high achievements of a 
 universally loved and respected citizen who brought fame to the 
 community in which he lived. Gaining almost the supreme am- 
 bition of the American citizen and standing for full half a cen- 
 tury in the limelight as a state and national figure, it was but 
 natural that Bloomington should have felt a pride and pro- 
 prietary interest in his career, but it is as a friend and neighbor 
 that he was best loved and is most deeply mourned in his home 
 city, and a higher tribute could not be paid a public man. The 
 tall commanding figure and courtly grace of one of the last of 
 the gentlemen and statesmen of the old school, with the pleasant 
 smile and cordial greeting for townspeople, big and little, will be 
 singularly missed from the streets of Bloomington. His home 
 life was something ideal in mutual affection, his wife, who so 
 lately went before, having realized the highest type of woman- 
 hood, and the gatherings there on occasions of notable visitors 
 or local entertainment are events that will never be effaced from 
 memory. Mr. Stevenson's wonderful memory which served him 
 so well in affairs of state was especially felicitous in the matter 
 of after-dinner talks or informal conversation and his fund of 
 intimate stories of men and events and his captivating manner of 
 telling them made his presence at any social event a joy. His 
 fame in this regard was nation wide and during his many years ' 
 residence in "Washington and travels on public business he was in 
 constant demand. Fortunately his reminiscences of the great 
 men of America covering more than fifty years will not be lost, 
 his book "Something of Men I Have Known," being a priceless 
 legacy to history, as treating the great figures of the most stirring 
 times in a vein wholly apart from prosaic statistics. 
 
 Mr. Stevenson's gentle and lovable disposition and keen but 
 kindly wit coupled with an integrity in public and private life 
 that never felt a breath of scandal, made it possible for him to 
 accomplish a miracle. He was possibly the only man in America 
 who loomed large and who was an intense partisan in the days 
 
ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 43 
 
 when oratory on the stump was fiercely bitter, who was able to 
 go through the hardest fought campaigns in the forefront of bat- 
 tle and still emerge without a personal enemy. So general was 
 the feeling of friendship and respect that he was twice elected to 
 congress as a Democrat in a strongly Republican district, and 
 came within a hairsbreadth of carrying the state of Illinois as a 
 Democrat in a presidential year when the head of the Repub- 
 lican ticket went in on an overwhelming majority. So general 
 was the respect and affection that the demonstrations from time 
 to time when he was the central figure in great political contests 
 were Bloomington mass meetings rather than Democratic rallies. 
 
 While Mr. Stevenson goes out from a perfectly rounded life 
 rich in honors and ripe in years and passes to the reward of one 
 strong in the faith of his fathers, nevertheless Bloomington parts 
 with him with deep sorrow. Time had not dulled his wit or dead- 
 ened his interest in matter of the moment and the younger gen- 
 eration had not learned to look upon him as an old man. 
 
 Perhaps no finer concluding chapter could be given any man 
 than to have grown old so gracefully and beautifully that the 
 world did not know it. 
 
 EDITORIAL FROM THE BLOOMINGTON PANTAGRAPH, JUNE 15 
 
 In the passing of Hon. Adlai Ewing Stevenson, Bloomington 
 loses its best known and most honored citizen. Coming to this 
 community from Kentucky as a youth in the fifties, he grew rap- 
 idly into the confidence of his fellow citizens and this confidence 
 gained him high public honors, altho he was allied with the party 
 which has been in the minority most of the time since the civil 
 war. 
 
 As much as anything else the life of Mr. Stevenson illustrated 
 the power and influence of personality in reaching prominence in 
 public affairs. First of all he was a gentleman under every con- 
 dition and even in the days when party lines were strictly drawn 
 and party feeling ran high he numbered his following far beyond 
 his party's strength. This was demonstrated by his election to 
 congress twice in a strong Republican district and by the narrow 
 margin of his defeat in two other instances. 
 
 In the first Cleveland administration Mr. Stevenson was hon- 
 ored with the important appointment of first assistant postmaster 
 general. By 1892 he had become a national figure and in that 
 year was nominated and elected to the second highest office in the 
 gift of the American people — the vice presidency. Again in 1900 
 he was the candidate of his party for the same office. In 1908, 
 as Democratic candidate for governor of Illinois, he was defeated 
 by scant thousands in a heavy Republican year. 
 
 Although public demands upon him were many, Mr. Steven- 
 
44 ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 
 
 son found time during his later years to write a book of reminis- 
 cences of his long public life, which ranks high in its particular 
 field. Free from rancor and political prejudice this volume pos- 
 sesses an intimate quality which reflects many of the characteris- 
 tics of Mr. Stevenson and discloses the impulses which resulted 
 in its author 's many achievements. 
 
 Mr. Stevenson 's life spanned the most eventful and important 
 period of American history. It began under the era of slavery, 
 witnessed the great sectional agitation which brought on the civil 
 war, saw the overthrow of the rebellion and the restoration of the 
 union on a stronger basis than ever before and was contemporary 
 with the great development period of the nation. In all this time 
 he was a more or less prominent and active figure. 
 
 Mr. Stevenson was a model citizen in all the walks of life — 
 affectionate and devoted to his family, deeply interested in his 
 community and solicitous for the welfare of his state and his 
 country. Full of honors, he lived far past his allotted three score 
 and ten, but has died too soon, in the opinion of all who knew 
 him. 
 
 A PROCLAMATION PUBLISHED JUNE 16th 
 
 The nation has lost one of its noblest sons, and we his neigh- 
 bors feel keenest his passing away. Bloomington is in tears. The 
 tenderest child, the bent old, those occupied in the professions 
 and in business feel alike the spell of sorrow. There was only one 
 Mr. Stevenson. Our loved city shall not have his like again. To 
 him who has so exalted our community we cannot do enough 
 honor. 
 
 By virtue of my office as Mayor of Bloomington I commend 
 the business men of Bloomington in their purpose to close their 
 doors tomorrow between the hours of 2 and 4 o'clock when the 
 funeral will be in progress. 
 
 James Costello, 
 
 Mayor of the City of Bloomington. 
 
 JUNE 17 
 
 Under the slanting rays of the afternoon sun of a beautiful 
 June day, they lowered to its last earthly house the mortal part 
 of Adlai E. Stevenson, while all the city mourned in the pres- 
 ence of its people, and all the state paid honor through the pres- 
 ence of its highest officials, and the nation sent its tribute of 
 respect in the persons of some of its distinguished present and 
 past officials. 
 
 The simple service of burial — a word of scripture and a breath 
 of prayer — followed several hours of more formal honors given 
 
ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 45 
 
 as the last meed of sorrow for the passing of a man whom his 
 neighbors and fellow citizens ever held in high esteem. 
 
 Early in the afternoon, incoming trains from several direc- 
 tions brought here a group of public men from all parts of the 
 country. 
 
 Governor and Mrs. Dunne, the Governor's Staff and all the 
 State Officers were present from Springfield; also, former Vice 
 President, Charles W. Fairbanks, of Indianapolis, Indiana, Ex- 
 Secretary of the Interior, David E. Francis, of St. Louis, who 
 was a member of the Cleveland Cabinet at the time Mr. Stev- 
 enson was Vice President. The Iroquois Club of Chicago sent 
 a large delegation. In addition there were many relatives and 
 friends from a distance. 
 
 At 12:30 o'clock the funeral party left the Stevenson home, 
 and proceeded to the court house, where the body of Mr. Steven- 
 son lay in state from that time until 2 :45 p. m. The procession 
 from the residence to the court house was led by the famous 1892 
 Stevenson escort of forty members, Company D, Fifth Infantry, 
 Illinois National Guard, the pallbearers and the honorary pall- 
 bearers. 
 
 THOUSANDS VIEWED BODY 
 
 The bier which was surrounded by a profusion of floral offer- 
 ings rested near the northwest corner of the main corridor of the 
 court house. Above it on the walls were draped silk flags and 
 from the west arch of the corridor nearly directly over the casket 
 was draped a large American flag. 
 
 A guard of honor of eight members of Company D guarded 
 the body, one holding an American flag, draped with crepe. 
 
 Another guard of soldiers stationed at the entrance and the 
 exit assisted in ushering the crowds thru the county building 
 and Sheriff Reeder and his deputies, stationed at the east en- 
 trance, kept the crowd in proper line of march so that there was 
 no confusion whatever. From the hour that the casket found a 
 resting place in the corridor of the county building until 2:45 
 o 'clock there was a steady stream of humanity which wended its 
 way past the bier of the departed, to catch one fleeting glance of 
 the countenance of the deceased statesman. It is conservatively 
 estimated that fully 7,000 people viewed the body. 
 
 When the hour of the funeral services at the church arrived, 
 there were hundreds of people who had congregated at the east 
 door, who could not be admitted to the building by reason of lack 
 of time in which to allow them to pass thru. The court house 
 yard was filled with people and the streets in the uptown district 
 were packed almost to their capacity. 
 
 The funeral procession formed at the west side of the court 
 house square and the body was taken from the west entrance. 
 The Bloomington band led the procession and played softly 
 
46 ADLAI EWINQ STEVENSON 
 
 "Dolore," a funeral dirge by Pettee. Next in order came Rev. 
 J. N. Elliott of the Second Presbyterian church and Rev. Edgar 
 D. Jones of the First Christian church, followed by the pallbear- 
 ers and the honorary pallbearers. Then came Vice-President 
 Fairbanks, Gov. Edward F. Dunne, Ex-Gov. Fifer, President 
 David Felmley, and many other notables of which mention is 
 made elsewhere. Then came the members of the McLean County 
 Bar Association; the Stevenson escort, officers and employes of 
 the People's Bank, and Mayor Costello and the members of the 
 city council and officials of the city administration. A platoon 
 of police handled the crowd along the line of march and also 
 guarded the entrances at the church during the hour of the fun- 
 eral service. 
 
 SERVICES IN THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 REMARKS OP EDGAR DE WITT JONES 
 
 For more than two decades Bloomington, Illinois, has been 
 known this nation over as the home of Hon. Adlai E. Stevenson. 
 Because of him more than any other man the name of the city 
 we love has gone the world round. Verily it is true that ' ' none 
 of us liveth to himself and none dieth to himself. ' ' In the life 
 and death of Mr. Stevenson his fame and glory are shared with 
 the nation he served, the state he honored, and especially with 
 the city where his home has been for half a century. 
 
 Mr. Stevenson's public career was long, varied and distin- 
 guished. Congressman, assistant postmaster general, vice presi- 
 dent of the United States, member of the monetary commission 
 to England, France and Germany, nominee of his party for vice 
 president in 1900 and 1908 candidate for governor of Illinois in 
 what was the most extraordinary campaign of his entire career — 
 such in barest outline was our first citizen's life in the nation. 
 
 Singularly strong and praiseworthy were certain qualities in 
 Mr. Stevenson's life as a public man. First, and foremost, is the 
 fact that throughout his long and notable career he ever wore 
 the white flower of a blameless life. Active as he was in a po- 
 litical period characterized by campaigns of personalities and 
 incriminations and marred sometimes by methods now discred- 
 ited Mr. Stevenson kept his heart pure. Through forty years of 
 public service and a score of successful campaigns he bore his 
 escutcheon unspotted to the end. 
 
 Mr. Stevenson was a party man, but not a partisan. In a day 
 when prejudice and rancor were rife and party spirit ran riot, 
 Mr. Stevenson preserved that fine large charity which "vaunteth 
 not itself" and "thinketh no evil." Here at home in the midst 
 of campaigns of widespread interest and elections fraught with 
 intense excitement he was never known to engage in controversy 
 or arguments with his fellow townsmen who differed with him 
 
ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 47 
 
 politically. Moreover lie numbered among his closest friends 
 many men of political views other than his own. This of itself 
 is an extraordinary tribute to a nature which was large and gen- 
 erous and possessing a perfect genius for friendship. 
 
 Mr. Stevenson's friends in public life included the most dis- 
 tinguished leaders of the last thirty or forty years._ Congress- 
 men, senators, justices of the supreme court, cabinet officers 
 presidents, with them he mingled alike, honoring and being hon- 
 ored. Fortunately these rich and varied experiences are in a 
 measure treasured up for us and for those who shall come after 
 us, in his fascinating book, "Something of Men I Have Known," 
 a volume that will be read with interest and profit by thousands 
 yet to be. 
 
 Bloomington was justly proud of its first citizen and de- 
 lighted to do him honor. No notable event in this city was com- 
 plete without Mr. Stevenson's presence and participation. How 
 often his voice has been heard at great gatherings, in conventions, 
 at banquet boards and in memorial meetings. This comfort- 
 able home on Franklin park square has been our city 's golden 
 milestone, where all our main traveled streets converged. When 
 our friends came from afar their visits were consummated when 
 they had called upon our first citizen. How wide the doors. How 
 generous the hospitality of that home ! How unfailing the cour- 
 tesy of that genial host ! How courtly his manner ! All in all 
 we shall not look upon his like again. 
 
 And now he is gone Bloomington can never be again just what 
 it was when Mr. Stevenson was alive. The old homestead on the 
 park square will be eloquent in its loneliness. We shall miss the 
 courtly figure from our streets and seek in vain the outstretched 
 hand of greeting. But nothing, thank God! can deprive us of 
 his memory. 
 
 Today loving friends and neighbors will lay our chief citizen 
 to rest by the side of the wife of his youth and not far from that 
 illustrious group of his old-time friends, who have gone on be- 
 fore — David Davis and Matthew T. Scott; Isaac Phillips and 
 Gen. McNulta; Lawrence Weldon and Robert Williams, and in 
 the years to come what the tomb of Clay is to Lexington, what 
 the shrine of Jefferson is to Monticello, so shall the grave of 
 Stevenson be to Bloomington. 
 
 REMARKS OF REV. J. N. ELLIOTT 
 
 "If we were assembled here to give public welcome to Mr. 
 Stevenson, returning from the fulfillment of the labors of state 
 or from the completion of some mission abroad, what an occasion 
 of rejoicing it would be, for he was a man whom it was a delight 
 to honor. But we have come with sadness and tears to take leave 
 of him, and to perform for him the last rites of earth. 
 
48 ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 
 
 "It is an occasion of sorrow. Bloomington mourns, the state 
 and the nation mourn, friends are bereft and loved ones are 
 bowed in grief. His life among us gave happiness and conferred 
 distinction, his presence brought cheer, his words mingled wis- 
 dom and kindness, his genial humor beguiled us in the social 
 hour. We are all poorer because of his decease. 
 
 This is also an occasion of peace and comforting memories. 
 He sleeps in our presence in the quiet majesty of death, his spirit 
 having returned to God. We recall with pride and greatest satis- 
 faction that after a long life and a distinguished public career 
 his name is handed down to his family and to his country un- 
 tarnished by a single discreditable or dishonorable act. Upon the 
 record of his private and public life his name shall remain a 
 synonym for honor, justice and integrity. 
 
 We recall, too, that he walked in the light that does not fail. 
 Early Christian teachings did not depart from him. He paid sin- 
 cere reverence to the things of God and ever listened to the voice 
 of an enlightened and sensitive conscience. For him, life was 
 more than fame ; the soul than the things that a man possesses. 
 Every pastor of this church had in him a loyal parishioner, a 
 kind and helpful friend, and he was ever ready to give a hearty 
 word of encouragement. He was charitable toward the failings 
 of others. In the unfailing light of revelation lie lived, and in its 
 serene peace he passed into its clearer shining and fuller dis- 
 closure. 
 
 In the letter presented to Mr. Stevenson by the senate of the 
 United States when retiring from the presidency of that distin- 
 guished body, there in a sentence which seems to me to most aptly 
 describe him. I quote in part: "We have observed the signal 
 ability, fidelity and impartiality, as well as the uniform courtesy 
 and kindness toward every member of this body, which have 
 characterized your official action." This truly describes him to 
 us all — signal ability, fidelity and impartiality, uniform courtesy 
 and kindness. 
 
 Nearly six months ago a similar scene of sorrow was witnessed 
 here. His beloved wife, the revered Mrs. Stevenson of every 
 blessed memory, was borne hence whither we bear him today. 
 That sad event fell heavily upon him, and we have thought he 
 has been lonely ever since her going. But he was brave and hope- 
 ful. Then his own strength failed ; and they who were united in 
 life were not long separated in death. Side by side they shall 
 sleep, their work ended, their day of life here done, the glory 
 and the happiness of the future theirs to share together forever. 
 
 Eev. Mr. Elliott closed with words of comfort for the family. 
 
ADLAI EWINQ STEVENSON 49 
 
 BY REV. MARTIN D. HARDIN 
 
 It will fall to the lot of few of us ever to pay deep and 
 loving personal tribute to a fuller or nobler life than that of 
 Mr. Stevenson. In every relationship where men owe moral 
 obligation to their God and fellows, he did his part nobly. It 
 can be truthfully said of him that no one ever knew him well 
 without being made not only better but happier for that 
 knowledge. His pathway through nearly four score years was 
 one of light. 
 
 It is, therefore, eminently fitting that this hour should be 
 spent in thinking over those characteristics and cpualities of 
 mind and heart which made his life rich in service to his fam- 
 ily, his friends, his city, his state and nation. 
 
 Born in Kentucky nearly 79 years ago, from Scotch-Irish 
 parentage, he had his early childhood in an old-fashioned Pres- 
 byterian home of simplicity and unaffected piety. In later life 
 many honors came to him; but among all his mementoes, he 
 cherished nothing more highly than the little Bible which was 
 given to him when he was ten years of age, for a perfect recita- 
 tion from memory of the Shorter Catechism. His boyhood was 
 spent in a home where the family altar was as faithfully sought 
 to give spiritual nourishment, as the breakfast table to give 
 food to the body. From the deeper influences of that old-fash- 
 ioned, God-fearing home, his life never departed. The lessons 
 learned there entered into the very fibre of his soul; and to 
 glorify God and keep His commandments, was the deep, under- 
 lying purpose that gave strength and dignity, purity and honor 
 to his whole career. Life to him was the gift of God. Duty 
 to him was to do the Will of God, and he never consciously set 
 himself against the eternal moral order. 
 
 Sixty-one years ago as a lad he came with his parents to 
 the then little village of Bloomington. From his early boyhood 
 he had an eager, passionate love of books, and here he fitted 
 himself for college. He entered Center College at Danville, 
 Kentucky, and remained until his junior year, when on account 
 of the death of his father, he was called home, as the eldest 
 son, to assume the care of his widowed mother and younger 
 brothers and sisters. At his father's bedside he promised to 
 look after and care for those who looked to him for protection, 
 and no promise ever made was more faithfully kept. 
 
 With his alert and eager mind and wonderfully retentive 
 memory, he soon had fitted himself for entrance into the prac- 
 tice of law. Once in his life 's profession, his advance was rapid, 
 and he early attained the reputation of being one of the strong 
 men at the bar which had been familiar with the pleadings of 
 Lincoln and Douglas and many other men of scarcely inferior 
 talent. 
 
50 ADLAI EWINQ STEVENSON 
 
 "With a genius for making close personal friends, in a dis- 
 trict which was overwhelmingly of the opposite party, he was 
 elected state's attorney. In this position he began the formation 
 of that wide acquaintanceship with men and measures which 
 made him one of the recognized leaders of his party in the state, 
 and a little later sent him as a representative to congress. His 
 standing in the state, his wide personal popularity, and his ster- 
 ling worth as a man led Mr. Cleveland, during his first adminis- 
 tration, to appoint him first assistant postmaster general. Here, 
 with that growing capacity for grappling men to him with hooks 
 stronger than those of steel, he won a popularity with the men 
 of his party which made him the natural candidate for vice- 
 president with Mr. Cleveland in the campaign of 1892. It was 
 in no small degree due to his name on the ticket that that year, 
 for the first time since the war, Illinois cast her electoral vote for 
 the Democratic party. 
 
 "As vice-president of the United States he filled this high 
 office with honor, efficiency and dignity, retiring from his seat as 
 presiding officer of the senate not only with respect, but with the 
 affection of all the senators, regardless of party affiliation. 
 
 "While Mr. Stevenson was a man of deep convictions and 
 fought hard for those political principles which he believed best, 
 there was ever in his soul such a sense of justice, such a natural 
 tendency not to overstep the bounds of reason, such a clear con- 
 sciousness of the difference between principles and personalities, 
 such freedom from mere ranting partisanship, that he never 
 made a personal enemy out of any political opponent. It can 
 be said of him that in all his political career ; through all his po- 
 litical battles — sometimes winning, sometimes losing — he never 
 came out of a conflict without the personal esteem of his oppo- 
 nent. Some of his warmest personal friends, the men whom 
 he loved best and who loved him best, were among those who 
 had been opposing nominees for office. Such a fact, rare in 
 the annals of American politics, is a tribute unspeakably beau- 
 tiful to the purity and rectitude of a big soul and a truly 
 magnanimous nature. 
 
 Those of us who knew Mr. Stevenson well know that he 
 had a remarkable memory. But deep in oblivion, from which 
 even no faintest echo ever resounded, he buried forever out of 
 consciousness every reminder of unfairness or unkindness from 
 his fellowmen. Where he could not speak well of men his lips 
 were silent. 
 
 Mr. Stevenson's public career was one of fidelity and honor, 
 wide service and more than ordinary success. Beginning as a 
 poor boy — with no help further than of his own native ability — 
 he climbed, step by step, until he had reached to within one 
 of the highest office in the gift of the American people. In 
 every position he measured fully up to the responsibilities of 
 
ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 5 I 
 
 his office, and in an age which has seen many a business and 
 political reputation tarnished, no breath of suspicion was ever 
 breathed against any of his private or public acts. During his 
 more than fifty years of public service his name has remained 
 a synonym for stainless honor — a great heritage this to his f amily 
 and friends and fellow citizens. 
 
 But it is not of Mr. Stevenson as a public character that we 
 today think most. High as were his honors, and wide as was 
 his knowledge of public men and public measures, and sub- 
 stantial as were his contributions to the political history of his 
 time, to those of us who knew him best the man himself was 
 greater than any or all of his achievements. His was an out- 
 standing personality which gave grace to his position, rather 
 than a life which borrowed its interest from place. 
 
 ' ' The charm of Mr. Stevenson was not in the fact that he had 
 attained conspicuous honors, but rather in his breadth of knowl- 
 edge, in his remarkable familiarity with all the minutest details 
 of American history, in his wide and sympathetic understanding 
 of men, and in his ability ever to forget himself and give himself 
 unreservedly to the pleasure of those who were in his company. 
 As a conversationalist he was without a rival, and when the day 's 
 work was over, to spend an evening with him was an education, 
 inspiration and delight which no man of refinement could ever 
 forget. 
 
 In his autobiography, Ambassador Andrew D. White made 
 the statement that of all the public or literary men he had ever 
 known, Mr. Stevenson was the most delightful reconteur. With 
 a memory which was ever the wonder of his friends, and a grace 
 and accuracy of expression quite full of charm, and a quiet, bub- 
 bling, incessant humor that can never be forgotten, he would talk 
 of men and times gone by with a fascination that sped the hours 
 as on magic wings. Under his touch the incident which would 
 have been lost to a less sympathetic nature took on some bright 
 glow of life and color, and proved as fascinating as a romance. 
 He looked at life with eyes full of charity, and when the years 
 had ripened, his mind was stored with a vast wealth of mem- 
 ories, quaint, grave and serious, interesting, instructive and 
 charming, luminous, humorous and kindly. 
 
 "He ever gave one the impression of a heart from self set 
 free; of a soul at peace with God and man; of a mind in the 
 serene liberty of a large knowledge of the world. He was at 
 home in many of the broad ranges of human thought and en- 
 deavor. It is only such a life from self set free which can read- 
 ily and naturally have room in it for all those kindly courtesies 
 which were characteristic of Mr. Stevenson. His sympathies 
 were broad and generous. He found a real joy in doing kindly 
 things, and no human being ever appealed to him for help in 
 
52 ADLAI EWINQ STEVENSON 
 
 vain where it was within his power to meet the request and so 
 rare and gracious was his tact and so genuine his love, that he 
 always left the recipient with a feeling that it had been he who 
 had granted the favor. For his friends he was ever ready for 
 any sacrifice. He loved young men, and many are the men to- 
 day who owe not a little of what they are to the start which he 
 helped to give them. 
 
 Mr. Stevenson 's nature was one of supreme good will and 
 graciousness. One of the marked evidences of that kindliness was 
 to be found in Ms rare and winsome humor. His like in this 
 sphere many of us will never see again. With men of dominat- 
 ing selfishness, humor becomes a thing of satire — words barbed, 
 or with a sting in them. They fly forth to maim and to wound, 
 and leave some heart bleeding. But when humor is the gift of 
 such a temperament as that of Mr. Stevenson 's— a tender, pure 
 and gracious soul — it is made to play about life with the light 
 and winsome joy of a magician's wand. And there is not one 
 of us here today who knew Mr. Stevenson well, who cannot 
 recall the times when with rare power he drove away from 
 leaden hearts dull care, lifted heaviness of spirit, and made us 
 feel anew that, after all, it's a kindly, good world in which we 
 dwell. A man with such a power goes through life radiating 
 sunshine. He held the wine of gladness to our lips and bade 
 us drink to the health of all happiness and good will. 
 
 "But with all his bubbling humor, how completely he escaped 
 the dangers which go with such a gift, of vulgarity on the one 
 hand and mere frivolity on the other. Such a wealth of apt and 
 telling stories, and among them all not one that could not have 
 been told unblushingly in the presence of his mother! Such a 
 continual play of witticisms, and not one which did not have in 
 it wholesomeness and pure joy. 
 
 Yes, we cannot measure the good, the health of spirit, the 
 restorations to wholesome hopefulness coming from such a man 
 and glorifying what otherwise would be "the dreary inter- 
 course of daily life. ' ' He made his cheer a real ministry to the 
 hearts of men. Where he was yokes grew magically easy and 
 burdens light. 
 
 "Another manifestation of his spirit of good will was to be 
 found in his courtliness. He was ever the perfect gentleman of 
 the old school. His bearing in the presence of women was that 
 of one who felt, not merely assumed, the rightfulness of those 
 gentle amenities which go so far toward keeping life upon the 
 high plane of beauty and honor. The very wave of his hand was 
 incarnate courtesy. Truly a gentle man. 
 
 "It would not be becoming in me here today to lift far the 
 veil of privacy in Mr. Stevenson's home life. But I trust I am 
 not transgressing when I say that, if those of you who knew him 
 
ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 53 
 
 as friend and neighbor and fellow citizen have many reasons for 
 honoring and deeply admiring his character, those of us who 
 knew him in the circle of his own family can but hold his mem- 
 ory in sacred devotion. He was not one man in public and an- 
 other at home. If there was a difference at all, it was that here 
 his kindliness was incessant; here his courtesy was at its finest; 
 here his humor played constantly, like the dancing shafts of sum- 
 mer sunlight through the leaves of the trees ; ere his mind and 
 heart overflowed in a thousand genial forms of grace that will 
 make his children, while life lasts, rise up and call his name 
 blessed. His morning greetings were like the coming of sum- 
 mer's day; his goodnights were benedictions rich in heaven's 
 peace and love. He made the word 'Father' as broad and shel- 
 tering, secure and serene to our minds as the all-embracing sky. 
 
 "But when I say these things concerning Mr. Stevenson in 
 the home, our minds are led to that other solemn hour, when 
 we were gathered here, little more than five months ago, to pay 
 tribute to his dear life's partner. His full and strong life could 
 not have been without hers. Her radiant personality would have 
 been incomplete without him. Together they made a Christian 
 home which will long be remembered by those who knew its 
 inner life, as one of those ideal social forces, the beauty and good 
 of which God alone can measure. 
 
 When we stop to think of the far-reaching effect, in example 
 and direct moulding power, of the home, what it means to pos- 
 terity and to civilization, and the upholding of all high ideal- 
 ism — I think we can count among Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson's 
 greatest achievements the fact that, together, they lived a life of 
 such singular beauty and devotion, that by their united love and 
 service, they have helped us all to hold deeper reverence for two 
 of God's holiest institutions, marriage and home. So completely 
 one were they that when Mrs. Stevenson passed on he was never 
 afterward himself. His body was here, but 'where your treasure 
 is, there will your heart be also.' And whatever sorrow there 
 may be here today, I cannot but feel that it is vastly overbalanced 
 by the joy over there, where life's majority ever will be. 
 
 "This, in briefest outline, was the temper of the brave, good 
 spirit which has gone home to God. His race on earth is run. 
 His sun has set. But in the hush of this hour, with its mellow 
 afterglow, we feel the sacred peace and presence of God. 
 
 "This is the life we honor, that of a man whose personality 
 was rich in those spiritual qualities that unite our humanity in 
 indissoluble bonds of affection ; those qualities of soul which give 
 life a meaning and a hope too vast for even four score years. We 
 see him as a youth, eager for knowledge, with frank, open heart, 
 ready to welcome life; as a young man, industrious, energetic, 
 and forging ahead into an ever larger share of the common re- 
 
54 ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 
 
 sponsibilities of community and state ; as a man of maturity, com- 
 ing into the rich rewards of friendship, honor and power; as a 
 man of old age, ripe in tenderness, sympathy and wisdom. His 
 was a singularly happy life ; happy in the conscious love of his 
 fellowmen. He was singularly well poised. He had ambition 
 without selfishness or sordidness; fidelity to principles without 
 bitterness, or partisanship ; great cordiality without wearing his 
 heart on his sleeve ; an irrepressible and irresistible humor with- 
 out frivolity; a profound sense of life's seriousness without heav- 
 iness; dignity without dullness or distance; honor without 
 haughtiness or condescension; broad culture without pedantry, 
 and a nature profoundly religious, without cant or bigotry. 
 
 "In the highest sense he was what I should call a child- 
 hearted — Christ-hearted man, whose life adds dignity and 
 breadth to our common humanity, whose stay on earth was an 
 unbroken benefaction, and whose going for many of us has made 
 heaven nearer and dearer. If he could speak to us now I believe 
 his word would be, 'Say not good night, but in some brighter 
 clime, bid me good morning. ' ' ' 
 
 THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD OF MONDAY, JUNE 22, HAS THE 
 FOLLOWING REGARDING MR. STEVENSON 
 
 Mr. Rainey — Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to ad- 
 dress the House for five minutes on the subject of the late Adlai 
 E. Stevenson. 
 
 The Speaker — The gentleman from Illinois asks unanimous 
 consent to address the House for five minutes on the life and 
 character of the late vice president, Adlai E. Stevenson. Is there 
 objection? 
 
 There was no objection. 
 
 Mr. Rainey — Mr. Speaker and gentlemen of the House, sev- 
 enty-nine years ago Adlai E. Stevenson was born in the State of 
 Kentucky. At an early age he came with his parents to Illinois, 
 but returned soon after to Kentucky, and in 1856 he graduated 
 at Centre College, in Danville, Ky. During his college career 
 there developed the romance which lasted through his long life 
 and just after his graduation he married Miss Letitia Green, the 
 daughter of the president of the college which conferred his de- 
 gree upon him. She remained his faithful companion in all the 
 vicissitudes of his long life until a few months ago, when she 
 preceded him to the tomb. 
 
 In the early part of his career Adlai E. Stevenson was con- 
 temporaneous with Lincoln, Douglas, Logan, McClernand, Og- 
 lesby, and those other great sons of Illinois who long ago pre- 
 ceded him to the silent tomb. His active career in national poli- 
 tics commenced before most of the Members of the House were 
 
ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 55 
 
 born. Iii 1864 he was a presidential elector on the Democratic 
 ticket. In 187-4 he was elected from the Bloomington (111.) dis- 
 trict to the office of Representative in Congress. Two years later, 
 in 1876, he was re-elected. In 1881 he led the Illinois delegation 
 to the Democratic national convention, the convention which 
 named Grover Cleveland. From 1885 until 1889 he was first 
 assistant postmaster general. From 1893 until 1897 he was vice 
 president of the United States. His active career continued al- 
 most until the day of his death. Five years ago he was the Demo- 
 cratic candidate in Illinois for governor of Illinois when long 
 past the allotted age of three score and ten. He commenced to 
 practice law in the late fifties in Metamora, 111., and after that he 
 practiced law in Bloomington, 111., and his firm, the firm of 
 Stevenson & Ewing, was for a long period of years one of the 
 best-known law firms in the state of Illinois. He was successful 
 in his business career, and long ago, years ago, when labor first 
 commenced to organize and was demanding recognition, he rec- 
 ognized the right of laboring men to organize in the great coal 
 industries, in which he was an important factor in that section 
 of Illinois. 
 
 While he was active in political life, ready always to give his 
 services to his country, when his country demanded his services, 
 he was a successful business man, honest and fair in all his rela- 
 tions with his fellow men. While he was a contemporary with 
 those great Illinoisans I have mentioned, who long ago preceded 
 him to the tomb, he was always young. Those of us who knew 
 him best never thought of him as growing old. As his old friends 
 died he renewed his activities and acquaintances among the 
 young, and he retained his full physical and mental vigor up 
 until the very last. Last Saturday the Illinois delegation — all of 
 them signed the telegram — sent a telegram to him at the hospital 
 in Chicago where for some months he had been ill, expressing 
 our hope for his speedy recovery and expressing our sympathy 
 for him on account of his serious illness. His son wired back 
 that the message had been read to him and that he appreciated 
 the fact that he was remembered here in the National House of 
 Representatives, where he had served for four years ; here in the 
 capitol, where he served for eight years as assistant postmaster 
 general and as vice president of the United States. A few hours 
 later his great heart ceased to beat, He died yesterday morn- 
 ing, Sunday, June 14, 1914. 
 
 Throughout his long and useful career no suspicion of dis- 
 honor or dishonesty ever attached to his name. On behalf of the 
 Illinois delegation in congress I desire to pay this last tribute of 
 respect to his memory. His life work is over ; full of years and 
 of honor, with unfaltering step he approached the end. In the 
 state which produced a Lincoln, a Douglas, a Logan, and an Alt- 
 
56 ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 
 
 geld, we consider him one of our greatest citizens. His soul has 
 gone back beyond the stars to God, who gave it. Tomorrow his 
 body will be buried by the friends of his long career. Great 
 mind, generous soul, kind friend, adieu. May the earth press 
 lightly upon the heart of Adlai E. Stevenson of Illinois. 
 
 DEATH OF FORMER VICE-PRESIDENT 
 
 Resolution of the U. S. Senate. 
 
 Immediately after the death of Mr. Stevenson was announced 
 in the Senate, Senator James Hamilton Lewis submitted the fol- 
 lowing resolution, which is copied from the Journal of the 
 Senate : 
 
 "Resolved, That the Senate has heard with profound regret 
 of the death of Hon. Adlai E. Stevenson, former Vice President 
 of the United States and former Presiding Officer of the United 
 States Senate. 
 
 Resolved, That as a mark of respect to the memory of the dis- 
 tinguished official, whose life has been filled with honorable and 
 distinguished service to his Nation, the Senate do now adjourn. 
 
 The Senate proceeded, by unanimous consent, to consider the 
 resolutions; and 
 
 The resolutions were unanimously agreed to; 
 
 Whereupon, 
 
 The Senate adjourned." 
 
 REV. DR. J. W. DINSMORE OF SAN JOSE, CALIF., FOR MANY 
 YEARS PASTOR OF THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 OF BLOOMINGTON, OF WHICH FORMER VICE-PRESIDENT 
 STEVENSON WAS A MEMBER, IS QUOTED AS FOLLOWS IN 
 THE SAN JOSE MERCURY: 
 
 The death in the Presbyterian hospital, Chicago, on Sunday 
 last of the Hon. Adlai E. Stevenson, marks the close of the 
 earthly life of a man who will be sincerely mourned by great 
 numbers of people all over the land. Many of your readers have 
 known him as a public official, and a considerable number have 
 known him as an acquaintance and friend. Many will recall his 
 visit to San Jose while he was vice-president of the United States. 
 This little tribute to his memory, therefore, may not be out of 
 place in your columns. It is written by one who knew him long 
 and well. For more than twenty years he was my parishioner, 
 and for more than forty years he was my close and cherished 
 friend. I had many reasons for being strongly attached to him 
 and his family, and this attachment was not in the least dimin- 
 ished by the wide separation of our homes during these recent 
 years. Our frequent meetings and our steady correspondence 
 kept our friendship alive and warm. 
 
ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 57 
 
 Mr. Stevenson was by descent a North Carolinian, by birth a 
 Kentuckian, and of that sturdy Scotch-Irish race which has cut so 
 deep into our history. When a youth he removed with his fa- 
 ther's family to Bloomington, 111., and there lived the rest of his 
 days. He was a man of high character, of strict morals and of 
 unquestioned repute as a gentleman and a Christian. He bore 
 through life and carried to his grave an unsullied name. He 
 was much in public life, always an active and strenuous politician 
 in the good sense of that term, and consequently often engaged 
 in fierce political contests, and yet his bitterest adversaries never 
 had the effrontery to accuse him of meanness, crookedness or per- 
 fidy. In his early manhood he was happily wedded to a scion 
 of one of the most noted families of Kentucky, with large and in- 
 fluential connections, and herself a woman of high spirit not only, 
 but of singular charm and loveliness. She was a great inspira- 
 tion and help to him until her death a few months ago. As he 
 was himself in broken health, he never rallied from the shock 
 and sorrow of that separation. During recent months he has 
 been a great sufferer and I am assured that he bore his sufferings 
 with great fortitude and patience. 
 
 Mr. Stevenson was what is called an uncommonly popular 
 man, personally and socially. He had many political adversa- 
 ries, but probably very few personal enemies. He was an out- 
 and-out democrat, and lived in a congressional district which 
 was overwhelmingly republican, and yet twice at least he was 
 elected to congress by stiff majorities. Thousands of republicans 
 voted for him on personal grounds. When he was candidate for 
 vice-president on the ticket with Cleveland in 1892, Illinois for 
 the only time in forty-eight years, went democratic, and it was 
 attributed chiefly to the popularity of Stevenson. 
 
 His courtesy and suavity were such that, in denying an ap- 
 plicant, while he disappointed him, he seldom offended him. I 
 recall sitting one day for several hours in his private office in 
 Washington and being greatly interested and amused by the 
 singular tact he showed in dealing with heated contestants for 
 postoffices. He could give the place to but one, and yet he man- 
 aged it so deftly that those whom he turned down seemed to 
 leave in comparative good humor, feeling sorry that he felt so 
 sorry in being obliged to disappoint them. 
 
 He was a remarkably genial, companionable, obliging and 
 affectionate man, devoted to his family and never going back on 
 his friends. In the retirement and sorrows of the last few years 
 he has been the center of deep and warm sympathy and affection 
 on the part of many thousands, not merely of his own commun- 
 ity, but all over this broad land. For myself I feel painfully 
 bereft by his going away, and shall remember him while I live 
 with strong affection as a true, high-minded and honorable man, 
 and as a devoted and steadfast friend. 
 
ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 
 
 A MEMORIAL TOR HON. ADLAI E. STEVENSON WAS HELD BY 
 MEMBERS Or THE McLEAN COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION ON 
 THE MORNING OF JUNE 28 IN THE COURT HOUSE AT 
 BLOOMINGTON 
 
 There was a fine representation of the organization present, 
 besides many other friends and admirers of the departed illus- 
 trious statesman and fellow townsman. 
 
 Hon. C. D. Myers, judge of the circuit court, presided at 
 the meeting and in the outset a report was read from the com- 
 mittee on resolutions by Governor Joseph W. Fif er, which was 
 followed by very touching tributes from John T. Lillard, Charles 
 L. Capen, John A. Sterling, A. E. DeMange, Thomas Kerrick, 
 Hal M. Stone, Judge R. M. Benjamin, Frank Gillespie, and 
 Judge C. D. Myers. 
 
 The following was the report of the committee on testimonial 
 and resolutions as presented by Gov. Fif er : 
 
 THE RESOLUTION 
 
 Adlai Ewing Stevenson was born in Christian county, Ken- 
 tucky, October 23rd, 1835, and died at the Presbyterian Hospital 
 in Chicago, June 14th, 1914. Of revolutionary stock, his ances- 
 tors were prominent in the war for American independence. He 
 was of Scotch-Irish descent, and belonged to a race distinguished 
 for learning, patriotism and high courage. 
 
 When a mere lad he moved with his father's family to Bloom- 
 ington, Illinois, which city down to the day of his death, he was 
 always proud to call his home, with the exception of ten years, 
 when he resided at Metamora, Illinois. He was educated in the 
 public schools, at the Illinois Wesleyan University, and finally at 
 Center College, at Danville, in his native state. While attend- 
 ing the latter institution he was unexpectedly called home by 
 the sudden illness of his honored father, who died soon there- 
 after and much to his regret, he never found it possible to com- 
 plete the college course he had set for himself. By the parting 
 injunction of a dying father he was left the care of a widowed 
 mother and six children. How well he discharged his duty in 
 this behalf it is not necessary for us to speak, for it is known 
 and appreciated by this entire community. 
 
 He studied law and was admitted to the McLean county bar 
 in 1858, and soon thereafter entered upon the practice of his 
 profession at Metamora, then the seat of government of Wood- 
 ford county. 
 
 He was not long in winning a place in the front ranks of a 
 bar distinguished for the number of its able men. It was here 
 that he met Judge Richmond, Judge Barns, Judge Read and 
 
ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 59 
 
 many others of equal ability. It was here too, that he met Col. 
 Robert G. Ingersoll, the greatest wit and orator of his time, and 
 a friendship was formed between them which ended only in the 
 latter 's death. 
 
 Mr. Stevenson's scholarly attainments, his thorough knowl- 
 edge of the law and above all his kindness of heart and genial 
 social disposition, brought him both business and friends. He 
 was soon recognized as the most popular young man in that sec- 
 tion of the state and public office came to him apparently with- 
 out effort. He was appointed Master in Chancery and later was 
 elected State's Attorney of his Judicial District and the able and 
 faithful manner in which he discharged the duties of these im- 
 portant positions was the subject of private and public comment 
 long after he left the county. 
 
 His increasing knowledge of the law, his growing business, 
 and above all his expanding intellect caused him to seek a wider 
 field for the exercise of his genius and in 1868 he returned to 
 Bluomington and formed a law partnership with the Hon. James 
 S. Ewing, his cousin. He then began a legal and political career 
 unequalled by that of any other citizen of our county. 
 
 Deeply versed in the best English literature, and a profound 
 student of the law, he soon became recognized as one of the ablest 
 lawyers of the state. As a lawyer he was profound rather than 
 technical. He cared nothing for mere forms, but everything for 
 substance. As an advocate he had but few equals and no su- 
 periors at the bar and there are adversaries now living who can 
 remember the dread and anxiety experienced by them as he 
 arose to deliver his closing address to the jury in some hotly con- 
 tested case. The firm of Stevenson & Ewing practiced law as- 
 siduously for more than twenty years. The records of this court 
 and the high courts of review are the silent but eloquent wit- 
 nesses to the success of this firm. 
 
 Our friend was not only a successful lawyer, but he under- 
 stood and appreciated the importance and dignity of the profes- 
 sion of which he was so great an ornament, and he looked to the 
 law as the means by which our free institutions are to be per- 
 petuated and the rights and liberties of the individual citizen 
 protected. 
 
 In a public utterance he said: "It is all important, never 
 more so than now, that the people should magnify the law. Out- 
 rages have been perpetrated in the name of justice appalling to 
 all thoughtful men. It need hardly be said that all this is in 
 total disregard of individual rights and utterly subversive of 
 lawful authority. By the solemn adjudication of courts and 
 under the safeguards of law, the fact of guilt is to be established 
 and the guilty punished. The sure rock of defense in the out- 
 stretched years as in the long past will be the intelligence, the 
 
60 ADLAI EWINQ STEVENSON 
 
 patriotism, the virtue of a law-abiding, liberty-loving people. To 
 a degree that cannot be measured by words, the temple of justice 
 will prove a city of refuge. "The judiciary has no guards, no 
 palaces, or treasuries, no arms but truth and wisdom and no 
 splendor but justice." 
 
 This splendid sentiment expressed in the above quotation is 
 worthy to be inscribed as an epitaph upon his monument and by 
 its utterance he has made posterity his debtor. 
 
 Well as Mr. Stevenson's abilities and standing as a lawyer 
 were recognized throughout our great state by the bench and bar, 
 it was as a statesman that he rendered his greatest public serv- 
 ice and as a statesman he was most widely known and will be 
 most lovingly and gratefully remembered by millions of his fel- 
 low countrymen. 
 
 To one possessed of such rare gifts and in a country like ours, 
 a political career was inevitable. Mr. Stevenson's first political 
 success came in 1874, when he was triumphantly elected to the 
 44th Congress from a district wherein the opposing party had an 
 overwhelming majority. He was in 1878 elected a member of 
 the 46th Congress, overcoming as he did before, a very decided 
 party majority against him. 
 
 When Mr. Cleveland came to the presidency in 1885, so prom- 
 inent was Mr. Stevenson in the counsels of his party by reason of 
 his able and efficient service in the congress of the United States 
 and his commanding abilities as a statesman, that he was prac- 
 tically without opposition selected as assistant postmaster gen- 
 eral, the duties of which position he discharged with fidelity and 
 ability and to the satisfaction of his party and the country. His 
 ever widening influence and increasing popularity made him in 
 1892 his party's candidate for vice president of the United 
 States and the success of his party in that memorable campaign 
 especially in his own state, is by competent judges largely 
 ascribed to the fact that his name appeared upon the ticket. 
 
 He was easily one of the most popular as he was one of the 
 ablest presiding officers the senate of the United States ever had, 
 and his ability and his absolute fairness while exercising the pow- 
 ers of that great office are still the subject of comment by public 
 men at the capitol of the nation. 
 
 A few months after Mr. Stevenson's retirement from the sen- 
 ate he was appointed by President McKinley a member of a com- 
 mission to visit England, France, and Germany in the interest of 
 bi-metalism. 
 
 So wide and varied is the public career of our friend that 
 we find it impossible in this place to do justice to all his important 
 public acts. One, however, we feel should not be passed over 
 without emphasis as it marks him as a statesman and patriot of 
 the first magnitude. 
 
ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 6 1 
 
 All will remember the dispute that arose over the result oi 
 the presidential election in 1876. Inflammatory speeches were 
 made, much ill will arose and the clouds of civil war once more 
 hung dark and heavy in our political horizon. The cooler heads 
 of both parties in congress proposed the passage of a bill creating 
 an electoral commission to decide by the peaceful means of arbi- 
 tration the rights of the respective claimants for the high office 
 of president. Mr. Stevenson, to this measure, gave his powerful 
 and enthusiastic support. He not only advocated the passage of 
 the measure in a powerful speech delivered in congress, but he 
 also advocated the acceptance of the decision of the Commission 
 after the result had been declared. On this latter phase of the 
 question he said : 
 
 "Let this vote be now taken and the curtain fall upon these 
 scenes forever. To those who believe as I do that a grievous 
 wrong has been suffered, let me entreat that this arbitrament be 
 abided in good faith, that no hindrance or delay be interposed to 
 the execution of the law, but by faithful adherence to its man- 
 dates, by honest efforts to revive the prostrate industries of the 
 country, by obedience to the constituted authorities, we will show 
 ourselves patriots rather than partisans in this hour of our coun- 
 try 's misfortune. ' ' 
 
 These are brave, patriotic words, spoken by one deeply in 
 sympathy with the happiness and welfare of his country. 
 
 In 1866 Mr. Stevenson was married to Miss Letitia Green, a 
 lady of culture and refinement, whose family was distinguished 
 for high intellectual attainments and great moral worth. To 
 this union four children were born, three of whom survive, and 
 have become worthy members of the community in which they 
 live. 
 
 Such in simple words and in brief outline is the life, the 
 character and public services of our friend whose death comes 
 to us all as a personal sorrow and for whom we profoundly 
 grieve. 
 
 Mr. Stevenson lived in the most interesting and important 
 epoch in our national history. No one enjoyed a wider acquaint- 
 ance with public men. He knew Lincoln and Douglas, and in 
 fact nearly all of those of our times whose names are associated 
 with the history of our country. Possessing rare literary ability 
 he has preserved in his unique and interesting book, entitled 
 "Something of Men I Have Known," his recollection of those 
 who were active in public affairs during the stormiest period of 
 our country's history and as the men of whom he speaks pass 
 from the stage of action his book will be read by the youth of 
 the country with ever increasing interest and profit. 
 
 "Were we to give a reason for Mr. Stevenson's phenomenal 
 success we should do so in this single sentence: He was a man 
 
62 ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 
 
 of a kind heart. Armed to an unusual degree with the weapons 
 of wit and sarcasm, he seldom or never used them to the discom- 
 fiture of others. 
 
 He was never elected to a public office that he did not over- 
 come by his popularity a majority party. He never defeated an 
 adversary who was not afterwards his warm personal friend. He 
 never held an office that he did not adorn and add dignity to the 
 position by his ability and his courteous and obliging disposition 
 and manners. His friends and neighbors, those who knew him 
 intimately, can never forget his unfailing kindness and consid- 
 eration for all who came within the sunshine of his presence and 
 his interest in all that made for their welfare ; nor can they ever 
 forget his quick sympathy in times of trouble. 
 
 So closely was his life united with that of his beloved wife 
 that when she passed to her eternal rest his brave spirit was not 
 able to bear life's burdens alone . For nearly fifty years she had 
 stood devotedly by his side. Together they created an ideal home 
 from which radiated an influence for good that can never be 
 measured. They had rejoiced together in times of victory and 
 they had borne with fortitude the disappointments of life which 
 sooner or later come to us all. 
 
 He died as he had lived, a Christian gentleman in the un- 
 shaken belief in a better life beyond the grave. 
 
 For a long half century Mr. Stevenson stood in the focus of 
 public attention. The fierce light of public criticism beat against 
 his armor and found no flaw. No stain ever touched his gar- 
 ments, and not even the breath of suspicion ever rested upon his 
 good name. Full of years and full of honors, with friends and 
 loved ones about him, he lay down weary and broken beneath a 
 monument of public gratitude and affection greater and more 
 enduring than any of masonry or bronze. 
 
 We know that monuments made by human hands must soon 
 decay and fall. We know too that the friends who knew and 
 loved him in life must soon pass away and that through the on 
 stretching centuries of the great future the memory of his name 
 must perish from the earth, but the influence of his useful, ex- 
 alted and unselfish life can never die. His course shall be on- 
 ward and upward forever and this, let us believe, is the immor- 
 tality that awaits all who love and serve their fellow men. 
 
 Joseph W. Fifer, 
 James E. Ewing, 
 Thomas C. Kerrick, 
 John T. Lillard, 
 Charles L. Capen, 
 
 Committee of the McLean County Bar Association 
 on Testimonial and Resolutions. 
 
ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 6$ 
 
 AFTER THE READING OF THE RESOLUTIONS THE HON. THOMAS 
 C. KERRICK SPOKE AS FOLLOWS: 
 
 The memorial prepared and presented by Governor Fif er and 
 which, will become an enduring record of this court, is in no 
 respect or degree an exaggerated eulogy of its subject. 
 
 Those of us who knew Mr. Stevenson familiarly for more than 
 the average length of human life willingly testify that the merits 
 of the man are in no wise overstated in that truthful epitome of 
 his life and character. 
 
 It is needless for me to enlarge upon what is embodied in the 
 memorial and what has been said by other speakers regarding 
 Mr. Stevenson's illustrious public career in its national aspects. 
 The knowledge of that is more than nation wide and its honors 
 are fadeless. 
 
 I choose rather to speak of him, briefly, in his nearer relations 
 to us in a lesser and more localized sphere. Mr. Stevenson's 
 pleasing and forceful personality was such that even in a period 
 in which political party lines were commonly regarded as well 
 nigh impassable walls he turned seemingly well-organized major- 
 ities in his Congressional district into disorganized and defeated 
 minorities. 
 
 But brilliant and successful as he was his public life in that 
 and in the larger national field I doubt not that next to his own 
 kindred, those who admired and loved him most and most deeply 
 mourn his loss are his neighbors, his townspeople, and the host 
 of long-time intimate personal acquaintances and friends of his 
 every-day life, conspicuous among whom are the surviving mem- 
 bers of this bar who for many years met and associated with him 
 while he was actively practicing law in this court. 
 
 Practicing law as did Mr. Stevenson and also many others of 
 this bar during the years of Mr. Stevenson's greatest activities 
 as a lawyer, is an exceedingly arduous and wearing and, at times, 
 almost exasperating occupation. 
 
 Sometimes in the heat and excitement of forensic warfare 
 the combatants become worked up to an almost dangerously high 
 pitch of feeling. 
 
 Mr. Stevenson was not, nor is any high-class trial lawyer, al- 
 ways exempt from exhibiting considerable belligerency of man- 
 ner and speech towards opposing counsel, or occasionally express- 
 ing a not very exalted opinion of their knowledge of the law and 
 memory of the facts in the case on trial, but I never knew him to 
 impugn the motives or question the honesty of an adversary or 
 to say or do anything even under great provocation that^ would 
 create in his opponent a lasting feeling of resentment or ill-will. 
 
 I recall a spontaneous gathering at Mr. Stevenson's home, 
 twenty-nine years ago, on the eve of his departure for Washing- 
 
64 ADLAI EWINO STEVENSON 
 
 ton to assume the duties of Assistant Post Master General under 
 the first administration of President Cleveland, at which gather- 
 ing practically all the members of the McLean County bar were 
 present. 
 
 At that time nine-tenths or more of the members of this bar 
 were ardent and militant republicans, yet notwithstanding the 
 then recent national defeat of their party ; notwithstanding the 
 many political bufferings and bruises they had received at the 
 hands of Mr. Stevenson in his triumphal campaigns for con- 
 gressional honors, and the chastisements he had at times adminis- 
 tered to many of them in the forum, every laudatory remark of 
 the speaker who presented to Mr. Stevenson the gift of the bar 
 in token of the high esteem in which he was held by its members, 
 was cheered quite as lustily and heartily by every republican as 
 by any democrat, And I well remember, too, that while respond- 
 ing Mr. Stevenson's eyes were overflowing with tears and that 
 his emotion was such that it was with the greatest difficulty that 
 he could control his voice sufficiently to express his heartfelt 
 thanks and appreciation. 
 
 Between Mr. Stevenson and his brother-members of the Mc- 
 Lean County bar the ties of friendship and high fraternal re- 
 gard were never broken — nay, not even strained. 
 
 Distinguished and highly honored as he was in the years of 
 his greatest activity I think that Mr. Stevenson was never more 
 admirable, never more lovable, than in the evening of his life, in 
 the years of his semi-retirement bu1 not of suspended usefulness. 
 Years, it is true, which brought to him the inevitable diminution 
 of physical vigor and much, very much, of sad bereavement and 
 most poignant grief, but years which, withal, seemed to bring out 
 in even bolder relief his greatness of soul, his illimitable kindness 
 of heart and the undimmed Luster of his splendid intellect. 
 
 Often, no doubt, the obsequies of the distinguished dead have 
 been attended with pomp and eireumstance that were absent from 
 his, but few, indeed, have been so sincerely loved in life and 
 mourned in death as was he. by the multitudes who passed in 
 reverent silence beside his bier. 
 
 In his life his brethren of this bar one and all admired and 
 loved him. In his death we shall not cease to honor and revere 
 his memory. 
 
 REMARKS OF JOHN T. LILLARD BEFORE THE McLEAN COUNTY 
 CIRCUIT COURT, CONVENED IN MEMORY OF ADLAI E. STEV- 
 ENSON 
 
 I cannot permit this occasion to pass without making my con- 
 tribution. Mr. Stevenson was for forty years my beloved friend. 
 
ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 65 
 
 In August, 1873, I was, as a youth, the favored bearer of a 
 letter of introduction to Adlai E. Stevenson. The man I thus 
 met was then thirty-eight years of age, blond, clear-eyed, tall, 
 erect, well groomed. How vivid to me now is the picture. 
 
 Mrs. Stevenson, then in the very bloom of young womanhood, 
 endowed with a wealth of physical, mental and heart charm, was 
 a royal consort to her knightly husband. 
 
 These words of praise might seem superlative to strangers. 
 To us they express the simple truth. 
 
 I never knew Mr. Stevenson's father. I knew his mother 
 well. Her son was much like her. It is not surprising that such 
 a mother might have such a son. We can in part conjecture the 
 prayers for his future which this God-loving and son-loving 
 mother mingled with her cradle songs and ministrations over her 
 fair-haired boy. Her prayers were richly answered. 
 
 His success as a lawyer which was earnestly wished for as he 
 entered upon that profession, came promptly and with unusual 
 reward. 
 
 She must have asked for her son bodily and mental health. 
 For nearly four score years the people of this community wit- 
 nessed in this citizen the highest type of a sound mind in a sound 
 body. 
 
 If his mother yearned for her son to hold as she believed in 
 the tenets of her religion, in this again her hopes were fulfilled. 
 Layman, as he was, without preachment or display, he was al- 
 ways the defender of the Faith. 
 
 If she prayed for him to be honored, loved and trusted by 
 his home people and community, these hopes were modest, even 
 as she was modest, for he became trusted, honored and loved, 
 by his State and by the nation, as he was at his home town. 
 
 If she cherished ambition for him to acquire position, polit- 
 ical honors, leadership of men, the realization was far beyond 
 reasonable anticipation. He, in addition to many other public 
 offices, occupied with dignity and honor to himself and his 
 country, the high executive office held by Jefferson, John 
 Adams, John C. Calhoun, John C. Breckenridge — the highest 
 office but one ever held in a republic. 
 
 The Bar of McLean County is deeply gratified that such a 
 man was for more than half a century one of us, and at all 
 times, even in the moments of his highest exaltation, he was as 
 unobtrusive as the youngest and humblest member of this bar. 
 From the time he enrolled Mr. Stevenson was always a mem- 
 ber of this bar. We, as a body and as individual lawyers, are 
 all and each sharers in his varied achievements, and they were 
 many — for his professional, forensic and social honors fully 
 equalled his brilliant political successes. 
 
 If kindliness of heart and love of fellow man was invoked 
 
66 ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 
 
 upon the head of this man when his young life began, we all 
 know how abundantly that invocation was answered. It was 
 not in him to merely stop, listen and answer appeals. His walk 
 was not confined to the highways of life. In by-ways and un- 
 frequented paths he made frequent excursions and there min- 
 istered to hungry mouths and hungry hearts. He was, instinc- 
 tively, no respecter of persons, clan or station. His big heart 
 reached out to his fellows everywhere. The Good Samaritan 
 was his unconscious prototype. He contributed to the binding 
 up of wounds, whether of friend or foe or stranger. 
 
 Kindliness was the musical key note to Mr. Stevenson's en- 
 tire life and accomplishments. Of the political rewards, high 
 official positions, public and private honors which he received 
 we are justly proud. Gentleness of character and delicacy of 
 kindliness in private life and everywhere the lavish gift of na- 
 ture was the quality which adorned and distinguished Mr. 
 Stevenson throughout his life, even more than his high honors 
 and official positions could possibly distinguish him. Many 
 have shared with him in political honors. Few indeed are those 
 enriched by nature with the personal magnetism, loveliness of 
 character, social charm and helpfulness to fellow men, as was 
 Adlai E. Stevenson. It seems to me as if the divine modeler 
 of human clay, when he fashioned this friend of ours and se- 
 lected his quality and attributes, was minded to give to the 
 world a rare man, stamped by the Master Artist with distinctive 
 marks. 
 
 He sleeps secure to fame. The annals of his times record his 
 life in the nation's history. He is enshrined in affectionate mem- 
 ory so long as memory shall last. 
 
 SPEECH OF CHARLES L. CAPEN AT BAR MEETING 
 
 When 1 w r as a boy and in my early manhood, the McLean 
 County Bar consisted of old-time country lawyers, one of the 
 younger being Mr. Stevenson. These lawyers regarded their 
 profession as a sacred trust, and valued it chiefly for the oppor- 
 tunities it gave for greater service to the community, and for 
 the honors thereby obtained. They were active leaders in what- 
 ever tended to better things. The public welfare and prosper- 
 ity were their chief concern. They recognized their license to 
 practice imposed added duties and believed that a lawyer, how- 
 ever eminent and successful, if only a lawyer, was but one-ninth 
 of a man. 
 
 Their books were few, but these were fundamental, read 
 and re-read until they became part of their intellectual being. 
 They applied their mental powers in applying these principles 
 
ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 6/ 
 
 to the cases in hand, and thus constantly grew in scholarly 
 strength to a degree we of later days can hardly appreciate. 
 
 They lived up to high ethical ideals; they recognized and 
 obeyed the duty of fairness and courtesy towards all ; they ap- 
 preciated that justice is "the chief concern of man," and that 
 they were her ministers. 
 
 One result was many of them were sought as leaders in 
 politics and as office-holders. The people trusted and relied 
 upon them. "We do not read of corruption in campaigns or in 
 office in those days. Upon the rostrum great questions were 
 discussed by candidates and others, and the appeal was to rea- 
 son and conscience. Politics then was regarded "the grand- 
 est word in the language," and "the politician the most use- 
 ful of mankind. ' ' 
 
 To these old-time country lawyers we owe a debt we should 
 always remember with gratitude. They held the foundations 
 of our jurisprudence, and were a large factor in bringing about 
 our heritage. It is eminently true of them that ' ' the compara- 
 tive civilization of a country can be measured by the relative 
 power and influence of its bar." 
 
 Another characteristic of the old-time country lawyer was, 
 he was a student in solid literature ; in history, particularly of 
 his own country and state, in what had been achieved in the 
 past, the works of the earlier masters, ancient and modern ; in 
 the science of government, the biographies of great men. They 
 knew these pursuits were necessary for the adequate study and 
 solution of present problems. In all this, Mr. Stevenson was 
 diligent and thoro. Especially in his later years, there was not 
 any one in the United States who had a profounder or wider 
 knowledge of men and measures, of the philosophy of public 
 affairs and acquaintance, largely personal, of the publicists, 
 than had he. This not only gave him great help in official life, 
 but developed him as a lawyer. 
 
 We, the later generation of lawyers, have different ideals, 
 with the consequence that the community does not have the 
 same confidence or respect for us our predecessors enjoyed. 
 And so' we shall not do Mr. Stevenson full justice when memory 
 recalls the high rank of Mr. Stevenson as a lawyer, unless we 
 bear in mind he was one of the truest examples of the old-time 
 country lawyer; or when we think of his labors and achieve- 
 ments in public life, unless we recognize he was a politician of 
 the old school, with its lofty and ennobling standards. 
 
68 ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 
 
 RESOLUTIONS 
 
 IN THE JOURNAL OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL 
 OF CHICAGO FOR THE REGULAR MEETING HELD JUNE 15, 
 IS A COMMUNICATION FROM MAYOR HARRISON, ADVISING 
 THE DEATH OF THE HON. ADLAI E. STEVENSON, AND REC- 
 OMMENDING THE ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION OF APPRE- 
 CIATION OF HIS WORTH, CHARACTER AND PUBLIC SER- 
 VICES. UNANIMOUS CONSENT WAS GIVEN FOR THE CON- 
 SIDERATION OF THE RESOLUTION AND ALDERMAN HEALY 
 MOVED THAT IT BE ADOPTED. THE MOTION WAS CARRIED 
 UNANIMOUSLY BY A RISING VOTE. THE TEXT OF THE 
 RESOLUTION WAS AS FOLLOWS: 
 
 "Whereas, The Hon. Adlai E. Stevenson, former vice-pres- 
 ident of the United States, departed this life in this city on the 
 14th day of June, 1914, after having been a citizen of the state 
 of Illinois for almost half a century; and, 
 
 "Whereas, Gen. Stevenson's high character and ability and 
 the attractiveness of his personality were recognized thruout 
 the entire nation and his long continued, distinguished and 
 honorable public services culminating in the vice-presidency of 
 the United States have reflected great credit upon the state of 
 Illinois ; and, 
 
 "Whereas, In the death of Gen. Stevenson the state of Illi- 
 nois has lost one of her most honored and distinguished citi- 
 zens; now, therefore, be it 
 
 " Resolved, That the city of Chicago, by its council, hereby 
 expresses its high appreciation of the character, worth and pub- 
 lic services of the late Gen. Stevenson and its sense of loss and 
 sorrow at his death, and its sincere sympathy for his family 
 in their bereavement; and be it further 
 
 "Resolved, That this resolution be spread upon the records 
 of the city council and that a copy thereof suitably engrossed 
 be forwarded to Gen. Stevenson's family." 
 
 RESOLUTIONS OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF McLEAN 
 COUNTY: 
 
 "Whereas, during the last month, the final summons has 
 called from earth our illustrious townsman, Adlai E. Stevenson, 
 who closed a matchless career full of honor and rich in all of 
 the attributes of exalted manhood — a career notable alike for 
 its purity, energy and statesmanlike ability; and 
 
 "Whereas, he occupied many posts within the gift of his 
 country, from prosecuting attorney, back in his young manhood 
 at Metamora, to the office of vice-president of our great nation, 
 
ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 69 
 
 and discharged the duties of all these offices with that fidelity 
 to the public welfare that is an essential to the perpetuation of 
 the republic, and tho many differed with him politically, yet 
 as a man in the best and widest sense he had the highest 
 respect of all, and measured up to that high standard which we 
 point to as an ideal ; and, 
 
 ' ' Whereas, in his death our city, county, state and nation has 
 sustained the loss of one of its most loved and honored sons, 
 and we, in McLean county, feel his departure in a closer and 
 deeper sense — for he was one of us in spirit and in truth ; there- 
 fore, be it 
 
 "Resolved, that as a mark of the esteem in which Adlai E. 
 Stevenson was held by this honorable body, and the people of 
 the community, that we spread upon the records of this body 
 this brief appreciation of his great worth, his upright life and 
 his masterful attainments, and, be it further 
 
 "Resolved, that we extend our condolences to his family, 
 and that copies of these resolutions be furnished to them. ' ' 
 
 Dated at Bloomington, 111., this 25th day of June, 1914. 
 
 Jacob Martens, 
 D wight E. Frink. 
 
 TELEGRAM PROM PRESIDENT WILSON 
 
 Washington, D. C. — Mrs. Wilson joins me in offering to you 
 and the members of your family our deepest sympathy in your 
 hour of sorrow. May the memory of your father 's distinguished 
 service to the state and nation go far to mitigate the loss you 
 have sustained. — Woodrow Wilson. 
 
 AN APPRECIATION BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE BRYAN 
 
 The death of ex- Vice-president Stevenson removes from the 
 political life of the nation one of the great democrats of this 
 generation, a man of high character and of the broadest sympa- 
 thies. He used his rare ability and rich experience on the side 
 of the people. To the sturdy qualities of an enlightened states- 
 man he added the charms of a fascinating personality. His 
 multitude of friends share the sorrow that overwhelms his family. 
 We shall not see his like again. 
 
 1892-1896 
 
 After an absence of four years from Washington, Mr. Stev- 
 enson returned to the capital as presiding officer of the senate 
 on March 4, 1893. He recalled with pleasure the fact that dur- 
 ing the entire time of his service as vice-president, no decision 
 of his as presiding officer was ever reversed by the senate. 
 
7<D ADLAI EWINQ STEVENSON 
 
 Twice only was there an appeal from his decisions and in both 
 eases the decision of the chair was sustained by the three- 
 fourths vote. 
 
 Upon the wall of Mr. Stevenson's library hangs the farewell 
 letter addressed to him on his retiring as presiding officer of the 
 senate. This letter bears the signature of every senator then in 
 that body. The body of the letter was written by Senator George 
 F. Hoar, of Massachusetts, one of the ablest and most winning 
 men that he had ever known, said Mr. Stevenson. He was the 
 worthy successor to Daniel Webster as senator. 
 
 U. S. SENATE'S LETTER TO MR. STEVENSON 
 
 UNITED STATES SENATE 
 
 Washington, D. C, Feb. 27, 1897. 
 Hon. Adlai Stevenson. 
 
 Sir: The discharge of the important duties incident to your 
 great office as President of the Unites States Senate has, for the 
 last four years, brought us into an association with you very 
 close and constant. 
 
 During this long period we have observed the signal abil- 
 ity, fidelity and impartiality, as well as the uniform courtesy 
 and kindness toward every member of this body, which have 
 characterized your official action. 
 
 Your prompt decision, dignified bearing, just interpretation 
 and enforcement of the Rules of this Chamber have very much 
 aided us in our deliberations, and have won from us an ac- 
 knowledgment of that high respect and warm personal esteem 
 always due to the conscientious performance of public duty. 
 
 Desiring to give you some expression of these sentiments, 
 and to testify our appreciation of your valuable services to the 
 Senate and the country, Ave take pleasure in tendering you the 
 accompanying set of silver as a memento of our continued 
 friendship and regard. 
 
 MR. STEVENSON'S FAREWELL ADDRESS BEFORE THE SENATE. 
 ON THE OCCASION OF THE HON. A. E. STEVENSON'S RE- 
 TIREMENT FROM THE VICE PRESIDENCY, MARCH 4, 1897, HE 
 DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING FAREWELL ADDRESS BEFORE 
 THE SENATE, GIVING HIS VIEWS REGARDING THE VICE 
 PRESDENCY. HE SAID IN PART: 
 
 "Chief among the favors political fortune has bestowed 
 upon me, I count that of having been the associate — and known 
 something of the friendship — of the men with whom 1 had so 
 long held official relation in this chamber. To have been the 
 presiding officer of this august body is an honor of which even 
 
ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 7 I 
 
 the most illustrious citizen might be proud. I am persuaded 
 that no occupant of this chair, during the one hundred and 
 eight years of our constitutional history, ever entered on the 
 discharge of the duties pertaining to this office more deeply 
 impressed with a sense of the responsibilities imposed, or with 
 a higher appreciation of the character and dignity of the great 
 legislative assembly. 
 
 "During the term just closing questions of deep import to 
 political parties and to the country have here found earnest and 
 at times passionate discussion. The chamber has indeed been 
 the arena of great debate. The record of four years of parlia- 
 mentary struggles, of masterful debates, of important legisla- 
 tion, is closed and passes now to the domain of history. 
 
 "I think I can truly say, in the words of a distinguished 
 predecessor, 'In the discharge of my official duties I have known 
 no cause, no party, no friend.' It has been my endeavor justly 
 to interpret and faithfully to execute the rules of the senate. At 
 times the temptation may be strong to compass partisan ends 
 by a disregard or a perversion of the rules. Yet I think it safe 
 to say the result, however salutary, will be dearly purchased 
 by a departure from the method prescribed by the senate for 
 its own guidance. A single instance as indicated might prove 
 the forerunner of untold evils. 
 
 "It must not be forgotten that the rules governing this 
 body are founded deep in human experience ; that they are the 
 result of centuries of tireless effort in legislative hall, to con- 
 serve, to render stable and secure the rights and liberties which 
 have been achieved by conflict. By its rules the senate wisely 
 fixes the limits to its own power. Of those who clamor against 
 the senate and its mode of procedure it may be truly said, 
 ' They know not what they do. ' In this chamber alone are pre- 
 served, without restraint, two essentials of wise legislation and 
 of good government — the right of amendment and of debate. 
 Great evils often result from hasty legislation, rarely from the 
 delay which follows full discussion and deliberation. In my 
 humble judgment the historic senate, preserving the unre- 
 stricted right of amendment and debate, maintaining intact the 
 time-honored parliamentary methods and the amenities which 
 unfailingly secure action after deliberation, possesses in our 
 scheme of government a value which cannot be measured by 
 words. The senate is a perpetual body. In the terse words of 
 an eminent senator now present, 'the men who framed the con- 
 stitution had studied thoroly all former attempts at Republi- 
 can government.' History was strewn with the wrecks of un- 
 successful democracies. Some time usurpation of the executive 
 power had brought popular governments to destruction. To 
 guard against these dangers, they placed their chief hope in the 
 
72 ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 
 
 senate. The senate which was organized in 1789, at the inaug- 
 uration of the government, abides and will continue to abide, 
 one and the same body, until the republic itself shall be over- 
 thrown or time shall be no more. 
 
 "Twenty-four senators who have occupied seats in this 
 chamber during my term of office are no longer members of 
 this body. Five of that number — Stanford, Colquit, Vance, 
 Stockbridge and Wilson — 'shattered with the contentions of 
 the great hall,' full of years and of honors, have passed from 
 earthly scenes. The fall of the gavel will conclude the long and 
 honorable terms of service of other senators, who will be borne 
 in kind remembrance by their associates who remain. 
 
 "I would do violence to my feelings if I failed to express my 
 thanks to the officers of this body for the fidelity with which 
 they have discharged their important duties and for the kindly 
 assistance and for the unfailing courtesy of which I have been 
 the recipient." 
 
 MR. STEVENSON'S PORTRAIT UNVEILED BLOOMINGTON, 
 NOVEMBER 26, 1914 
 
 In the presence of several hundred people, filling all the 
 available space of the reading room and the art annex of the 
 Public Library, the curtain was withdrawn on Thanksgiving 
 afternoon from the life-sized oil portrait of the late Adlai E. 
 Stevenson. Coincident with the formal unveiling of this work 
 as a permanent feature of the Russell art room, there were de- 
 livered a number of short addresses from citizens who had 
 known Mr. Stevenson in life, recalling some of the outstanding 
 features of his notable career. 
 
 The ceremony of the afternoon was strictly an affair just 
 among ourselves. It was a tribute of Bloomingtonians to a dis- 
 tinguished Bloomingtonian, and it had more of the personal ele- 
 ment in it than characterized the more formal eulogies pro- 
 nounced at the services immediately following Mr. Stevenson 's 
 death last June. 
 
 Immediately following the brief talks by several citizens the 
 company of listeners gathered, standing, in the art room itself, 
 and centered their gaze upon the center of the east wall, where 
 was draped a blue curtain. Rev. J. N. Elliott, who had acted as 
 master of ceremonies, then introduced Adlai E. Stevenson, Jr., 
 son of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis G. Stevenson, and grandson of the 
 man in whose honor the meeting was held. Young Stevenson 
 slowly pulled the cord which withdrew the curtain from the 
 portrait, displaying the painting set in a strong light. As the 
 familiar features of Mr. Stevenson were shown there were quiet 
 yet sincere expressions of admiration for the masterly quality 
 of the work. 
 
ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 73 
 
 The portrait shows Mr. Stevenson as Bloomington knew 
 him in the vigor of his manhood, during the last quarter cen- 
 tury of his life. Mr. Arvid Nyholm, the painter, caught the 
 spirit of the man in admirable form. The expression and pose 
 are perfect. 
 
 While the audience was standing taking its first view of 
 the unveiled portrait Miss Nellie Parham read the following 
 letter, written by Mr. Stevenson in answer to her query last 
 winter on behalf "of the citizens, as to whether he would consent 
 to the proposition for having his portrait painted and hung in 
 the library : 
 
 Bloomington, 111., Feb. 10, 1914. 
 Dear Miss Parham : 
 
 Your very kind letter just received. I am deeply touched 
 by your suggestion as to my portrait. I can only say that what- 
 ever my friends do in the matter will be to me a gratification to 
 the last. 
 
 Again thanking you and with the kindest regards to your 
 mother and sister, I remain, 
 
 Your friend, 
 
 Adlai E. Stevenson. 
 
 THE PERSONAL TRIBUTES 
 
 The formal ceremonies of the afternoon were begun at 3 :30 
 by Rev. J. N. Elliott, pastor of the Second Presbyterian church, 
 of which Mr. Stevenson was a member. Dr. Elliott explained 
 in brief the significance of the occasion and then introduced 
 one after another Hon. James S. Ewing, Governor Joseph "W. 
 Fifer, Mrs. Sarah Fitzwilliam, Mrs. M. T. Scott and Rev. Mar- 
 tin D. Hardin, each of whom spoke briefly sentiments of appre- 
 ciation of Mr. Stevenson's life and character. 
 
 MR. EWING SPEAKS 
 
 Hon. James S. Ewing was the first speaker of the afternoon, 
 and he said in part : 
 
 "Mr. Stevenson and I were fast friends all of our lives. As 
 well as being a kinsman, we were always associated in our 
 everyday and business life. We lived in adjoining houses when 
 boys, went to school together, were classmates, in business to- 
 gether and for a quarter of a century were law partners. He 
 never did any business whatever, great or small, that I did not 
 know something of it in some way ; we always consulted each 
 other and exchanged confidences and suggestions. He was pos- 
 sessed of sterling qualities and worth to the community that 
 
74 ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 
 
 honors his memory. He kept the faith, and fought a good fight 
 in every respect. He kept his faith in God and the church, in 
 man and in himself. He made friends wherever he went, and, 
 most of all, he kept them, and could there be a nobler tribute 
 paid to any man than the citizens of Bloomington today are 
 paying? His portrait is placed in the art department of the 
 public library, where it may be viewed by generation! to come, 
 who will no doubt study the noble face and read in it the noble 
 character of the man whom Bloomington honors. How true 
 the quotation and how it applies to Mr. Stevenson, 'A good 
 name is rather to be chosen than great riches,' and his was a 
 name without blemish and spotless in uprightness and integ- 
 rity." 
 
 GOVERNOR FIFER'S REMARKS 
 
 Hon. Joseph W. Fifer, a life-long friend and near neighbor 
 of Mr. Stevenson, said : 
 
 "I am glad indeed to be here on this most interesting occa- 
 sion. I am glad of this opportunity to voice my appreciation of 
 the high character and standing of my old neighbor and friend, 
 who has past on to try the realities of another world. 
 
 "Mr. Stevenson's career was eminently successful. From 
 humble beginning, without wealthy and influential friends to 
 urge him forward, he climbed step by step until he reached the 
 second highest position in the gift of the most enlightened and 
 progressive people in the world. Ee held many places of trust 
 and confidence, the duties of which he discharged with singu- 
 lar fidelity and ability. Thruout his long and busy life he en- 
 joyed the confidence of the people in an unusual degree, and 
 that confidence he never violated or betrayed. His whole life 
 emphasizes the fad that the basis, the indispensable basis, of all 
 true greatness is integrity of character, and that without it all 
 seeming success will turn to ashes at last. 
 
 "Great as Mr. Stevenson was as a public man and a states- 
 man ; distinguished as a wit and orator as we know him to have 
 been, it was at his owe fireside, surrounded by those whom he 
 most tenderly loved, that he showed those rare qualities of love 
 and sympathy which endeared him to us all. 
 
 "I knew Mi-. Stevenson intimately for nearly fifty years, 
 and during the greater portion of that time ;> warm personal 
 friendship existed between us, which admitted of no secrets. 
 The memory of this friendship I shall cherish, while I live, as a 
 most sacred possession. 
 
 "The gift of this beautiful portrait by the good people of 
 Bloomington emphasizes in a more emphatic manner than any 
 words of mind can do, the tender and affectionate regard in 
 which he was held by this entire community. 
 
ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 75 
 
 ' ' The memory of our friend will remain with us to the end, 
 and as the years come and go, there are those who will turn 
 aside from the busy walks of life to plant a flower and shed a 
 tear upon his grave. We believe, too, as coming generations 
 look upon this beautiful portrait, and call to mind his life of 
 sacrifice and service, they will receive new inspiration and hope 
 in the performance of life's duties." 
 
 MRS. SCOTT'S TRIBUTE 
 
 "Mr. Stevenson's career is proof of the fact that in this 
 great republic, even in the whirl and swirl of political life — vir- 
 tue and kindliness and disinterested devotion to duty are still 
 the best means of rising to civic distinction and preeminence. 
 
 "But by those of us who knew Mr. Stevenson intimately 
 and personally, he is remembered now, not as congressman, 
 cabinet officer, or vice-president, but as a beloved friend and 
 kinsman, whose loyalty of heart, geniality of spirit and incom- 
 parable charm of speech and manner, made his presence a con- 
 stant delight and benediction. 
 
 "iEshines, in his famous argument against granting the 
 crown to Demosthenes — summing up the whole matter said : 
 'Most of all, fellow citizens, if your sons ask whose example they 
 shall imitate, what will you say? For you know well, it is not 
 music, nor the gymnasium, nor the schools that mould young 
 men, it is much more the public proclamations, the public ex- 
 ample. * * * Beware, therefore, Athenians, remembering 
 posterity will rejudge your judgment, and that the character 
 of a city is determined by the character of the men it crowns." 
 
 "From this point of view, Bloomington is to be congratu- 
 lated upon the fact that in Mr. Stevenson she adds a shining 
 name to the list of her distinguished sons, whose honors were 
 never sullied by any unworthy deed, and whose power was 
 never used except to advance the cause of right, and to bring 
 peace and happiness to all those within the radius of their 
 influence. 
 
 ' ' This is no time to mourn his passing. Rather today, as we 
 unveil this beautiful portrait in the city which he loved— we, 
 who so loved him, lift up our hearts in deep thanksgiving, that 
 to us was vouchsafed the privilege of his friendship and com- 
 panionship ; that to us there remains the abiding inspiration of 
 his memory, the afterglow of a luminous life. 
 
 "Identified with the grand state of his adoption, his blood 
 full of its spirit— his heart beat and burned to the music of its 
 greatness. He glowed with pride in its truly great people, and 
 their historic achievements in every province of human activ- 
 ity. We, who in life were close to him, are grateful to those 
 who have done him such honor in word and deed. ' ' 
 
y6 ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 
 
 MRS. FITZWILLIAM'S TRIBUTE 
 
 Mrs. Sarah E. Raymond Fitzwilliam, for many years super- 
 intendent of the public schools of Bloomington, delivered a feel- 
 ing tribute to her lifelong friend. She said that the qualities 
 which most stand out in Mr. Stevenson 's life are these : Upright- 
 ness, fidelity to his trusts, steadfastness, kindly sympathy, and a 
 perpetual, unclouded, sunny cheerfulness. He never obtruded 
 his occasional hours of sadness upon others. His face never 
 showed the darker side of life, nor his voice, nor his step, nor 
 his demeanor. 
 
 As we recall again that face which some of us have watched 
 under many and varied circumstances for years and decades of 
 years, do we ever remember when it was not to us and to all 
 who looked upon it a continuous benediction? He was a man, 
 modest, generous, just, of clean hands and pure heart, self- 
 denying and self-sacrificing, of integrity so absolute that the 
 breath of suspicion, even, never sullied his reputation. He 
 never had any tracks to cover up nor opinions or motives to 
 conceal. He was charitable to the needy, forgiving injuries 
 and injustices, brave, fearless, heroic, with prudence ever gov- 
 erning his impulses and wisdom ever guiding his valor, lie 
 was true to his friends, true to his country, true to himself, ever 
 gratefully recognizing a divine aid in all that he attempted and 
 accomplished. For several years while I was acting in the ca- 
 pacity of superintendent of your city schools, your distin- 
 guished citizen, Mr. Stevenson, was a member of the board 
 of education. I have often in the hours of need and uncer- 
 tainty sought his advice, and never in vain. To his generous 
 sympathy and wise counsel I attribute much that 1 was able 
 to accomplish. Mr. Stevenson had a strong penchant for polit- 
 ical life and experiences. Tho of a variant political faith with 
 myself I was always gratified when he won, and to all intents 
 and purposes cast my vote on his side. As the presiding officer 
 of the United States senate he wrung from many a rock-ribbed 
 Republican of old New England their sympathy and regard. 
 He was always a lover of the beautiful in art and possessed 
 some notable historic objects of superb material. But neither 
 this refinement of taste nor his daily life lifted him above will- 
 ing labor and the tenderest sympathy for those who were rude 
 and unlettered. 
 
 When his active public labors were ended he showed himself 
 beautifully grand and heroic by returning to the scenes of his 
 manhood 's prime. Here he retired for the last time to his family 
 home in sight of the spot made sacred to his toils, his prayers, 
 his joys and triumphs. Here he was surrounded by his old as- 
 sociates and study, responsibility and professional activity. 
 
ADLAI EWINQ STEVENSON TJ 
 
 At the close of the day the sun flashes its radiance upon the 
 clouds above and beyond, with all its beauty and glory, and sud- 
 denly sinks behind the western hills. Serenely to his final rest 
 Mr. Stevenson passed, after life's blessings all enjoyed, life's 
 labors done. Bloomington, his home city, has justly thought that 
 the work of his life was not wholly local, but that his name is a 
 treasure also of the state and nation, his death a common be- 
 reavement. 
 
 The canvas on which his face is so truthfully portrayed is 
 to signalize the gratitude of the generation for whom he la- 
 bored and whom he knew — a commemorative object. This mem- 
 orial rite is not a tribute of official service ; it is an homage to 
 personal character. The citizens of Bloomington have given 
 generously for this grand consummation. As you stand before 
 this rarely perfect portrait of this townsman and distinguished 
 friend, we believe your apostrophe will be: "Oh, that those 
 lips had language ; Voice only fails. ' ' 
 
 REV. MARTIN D. HARDIN'S TRIBUTE 
 
 Rev. Martin D. Hardin, of Chicago, son-in-law of Mr. Stev- 
 enson, said that he appreciated the privilege of being present 
 and the courtesy of being asked to make brief remarks. This 
 beautiful picture adds to our many causes for thanksgiving. 
 In the first place we all owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. Nyholm 
 for this brilliant piece of work. Solely as a work of art, it is 
 worthy of a prominent place in any gallery. But the artist has 
 given us not merely a striking piece of work in its light and 
 tone finish ; he has caught and preserved for all time to come 
 the spirit and expression of Mr. Stevenson's noble face. Those 
 who come after us looking upon this picture must needs know 
 and feel something of what manner of man he was, and as we 
 who knew him look there it seems almost as if he himself were 
 about to speak to us. 
 
 This picture is again beautiful and a cause of gratitude be- 
 cause it is an embodiment of a beautiful spirit in the life of this 
 community. The finished life is never the product of isolation. 
 It is possible only where the good and noble find an answering 
 nobility in other lives. We cannot imagine a Longfellow with- 
 out a Cambridge, or an Emerson without a Boston. Either of 
 these men in some other environment would have been differ- 
 ent men. 
 
 Mr. Stevenson, with the passing of the years, developed into 
 one of the rarest and most winning personalities in the Amer- 
 ican life of his day, and something of this was due to the fact 
 that he lived among those who appreciated him, who loved him 
 and by that love made him more lovable. Communities do not 
 always appreciate their most gifted sons. I have been reading 
 
J 8 ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 
 
 the life and letters of Goldwin Smith, who spent his last thirty 
 years in Toronto. Tho his was one of the most richly endowed 
 intellects of his age, he was a stranger and a foreigner in his 
 adopted city. He was a lonely man, lonely in his domestic cir- 
 cle, lonely in his political convictions, lonely in his ideals. As 
 he sat there in his arm chair before the fire you felt an insulat- 
 ing atmosphere between him and you. Much of this loneliness 
 was due to his lot falling among people who did not appreciate 
 him and of whom he could say to them : "I have never been at 
 home among this people, and have no friends here. ' ' 
 
 As 1 look today a1 this beautiful picture I cannot help but 
 contrast Goldwin Smith's bitterness and sadness in old age 
 with the growing peace and happiness and mellow charm, like 
 Indian summer, which came to Mr. Stevenson as his evening- 
 years were spent among a people who honored him and his 
 dear life's companion. 
 
 This picture is beautiful to me because of the happiness 
 which its planning brought to Mr. Stevenson himself. It has 
 never been my privilege to know a more appreciative nature 
 than Ins. Ee never forgot or overlooked any acts of courtesy 
 and he never took them as if they were Ids due. At the end 
 of his life he had a child's heart, and while honor and favors 
 were often bestowed upon him, his heart never grew proud or 
 calloused, but responded like the broad prairies about us with 
 greater wealth and bounty to every shower and added ray of 
 sunshine. 
 
 He never tired of relating the worth of the men here whom 
 he had known and loved, and to talk to him was to see and 
 know and admire Judge David Davis, General McNulta, Mr. 
 Williams, Judge Lawrence Weldon, nay the whole Blooming- 
 ton bar for the last half century, or to feel personal acquaint- 
 ance with and admiration of Matthew Scott, the elder Funks, 
 Mr. Kerrick, \h\ Dinsmore, and all the men who in business or 
 professional lines helped to mold the delightful city which he 
 loved as no other spot on earth. God richly endowed him with 
 the power of appreciation, and only those who were granted 
 the privilege of his more intimate relation could ever know 
 how dear to him were the many evidences that he lived among 
 his old friends, the \\ ine of whose heart bettered with the pass- 
 ing years. It gives me great pleasure to say to this company 
 that among the countless evidences of love and loyalty by the 
 people of this city, nothing ever touched him more deeply or 
 gave him greater pleasure, simply because it was a beautiful 
 kind of farewell abiding pledge and token of undying love, 
 than the movement to have tlds portrait painted and hung here 
 in the public library. In the name of his family, let me deeply 
 thank all who have had any part in its conception and reali- 
 zation. 
 
ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 79 
 
 PRESIDENT JOHN W. COOK 
 
 The culminating feature of the sixteenth annual meeting of 
 the Illinois State Historical society at Springfield was an address 
 by President John W. Cook of the Northern Illinois State Normal 
 school, DeKalb, 111., on "The Life and Services of Adlai E. 
 Stevenson." President Cook from early manhood was a close 
 friend and warm admirer of Mr. Stevenson, and spoke with 
 authority, and the address will be a valued addition to the ar- 
 chives of the society. Following are excerpts from President 
 Cook's address: 
 
 "I trust that I may be pardoned a word by way of intro- 
 duction. In centering our thought upon a single character and 
 endeavoring to render him that recognition to which he is 
 justly entitled it is wise to discover the especial field of service 
 which gave him his opportunity and which furnishes the stand- 
 ards for the judgments of his fellow men. If he has won only 
 local distinction one set of estimates will be employed. If the 
 field is coterminous with that of the state another standard 
 must be employed. If he has risen to national prominence it is 
 evident that he must be viewed from a wider angle, as he will 
 be called upon to balance larger counterweights in the scales 
 that are held by the blindfolded goddess. Moreover, as men 
 succeed men in places of great honor and corresponding re- 
 sponsibilities there are inevitable comparisons and consequent 
 judgments. Let us trust that the volumes that issue from this 
 admirable society shall be far more than mere tributes of af- 
 fection, manifestations of local pride, or exhibitions of indis- 
 criminate hero worship. They should have all of the reliability 
 possible under condition of nearness, intimate association, and 
 warm personal regard. The subject of this brief sketch was 
 distinguished locally ; he attained such prominence in the state 
 of his adoption as to be the candidate of his party for the most 
 conspicuous office within gift; he twice represented his dis- 
 trict in the national congress; his supreme achievement was 
 his promotion to a position in which only a single life inter- 
 vened between him and the noblest political dignity within the 
 gift of men. It thus appears that he is to be estimated not from 
 a single point of view but from many and it is in these suc- 
 cessive stages of final development that we are to see the ex- 
 planation of the ultimate character that conducted itself with 
 such charm, dignity and grace as to win the admiration of all 
 who knew him. 
 
 Adlai Ewing Stevenson was born in Christian county, Ken- 
 tucky, on the twenty-third day of October, 1835. He belonged 
 by descent to the Scotch-Irish race and was thus handicapped 
 at the beginning of his career with the responsibility of living 
 up to the repute of that distinguished body of immigrants. 
 
80 ADLAI EWINQ STEVENSON 
 
 They were lowland Scotch by descent and Irish by territorial 
 location. Within the three-quarters of a century between 1650 
 and 1725 there was a liberal emigration of that vigorous stock 
 from their ancient home to the province of Ulster, in Ireland. 
 There was never a drop of Irish blood in their veins. Indeed, 
 the main relation which these two peoples bore to each other 
 was that of perpetual hostility. They were at one in their ad- 
 miration of the militant spirit and won at least the respect of 
 each other as foemen worthy of their steel. They were the 
 steadfast followers of the reformation leaders, adored Calvin 
 and Knox, were Presbyterians to a man, took their convictions 
 of whatever character thoroughly to heart and actually lived 
 upon their religious ideas. Persecution by those about them 
 led them to abandon their old home and to take chances with 
 another stock rather than to be in a perpetual quarrel with 
 their kin-folk. Wherever they have gone in the new world 
 they have illustrated in a new way the value of adherence to 
 great ideas in all of the real issues of life. So remarkable has 
 been the career of these men of Ulster that whenever there has 
 appeared a great leader in our American life there has been a 
 half suspicion that if you were to scratch his skin you would 
 ibid a Scotch-Irishman under it. It would burden this page to 
 mention a tithe of the illustrious names that grace our annals 
 and whose bearers claim this distinguished descent. 
 
 In his early youth his parents removed from Kentucky to 
 Illinois. His early life in Kentucky, his family training, his 
 return to the home of his childhood and the associations of his 
 college life at a highly impressionable age taught him certain 
 of the social arts that are more notably accented and more 
 highly prized in the South than in the less conventional North. 
 He had now enjoyed for a time a taste of those liberating cul- 
 tures of which so much was made in the last century in nearly 
 or quite all of the institutions of higher traming. It was prob- 
 ably due to this happy circumstance that he developed that ex- 
 treme fondness for the noblest literature which he so trans- 
 parently displayed through the years of his intensest activity 
 and which he so freely indulged in the later years of his hon- 
 orable retirement from public duties. To the end of his long 
 life he sought the companionship of books and thus enjoyed 
 the ministry of those rare spirits whose luster brightens from 
 age to age. It was a sobering task that awaited him, but it 
 was undertaken courageously and accomplished successfully. 
 Who shall say that in the light of his later life it was not as 
 well as to have lingered in those academic associations that are 
 so delightful in retrospect but not always so tempering in their 
 effects. 
 
ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 8 I 
 
 As this young man stands at the beginning of his active 
 professional career he possesses the promise and potency of 
 what he was to become. At no time in his life was there any 
 striking transformation of character. He exhibited a persistent 
 growth in the qualities that marked him as a young man. To 
 one who has spent his life in attempting to aid young people 
 in the realization of their inherent possibilities a study of this 
 sort is peculiarly engaging. Inheritance, early environment, 
 the later play of social forces, the awakening of new ambitions, 
 the coming to consciousness of already formed preferences of 
 alignment — preferences unconsciously formed ordinarily — are 
 full of meaning. Throughout my long acquaintance with him 
 I was always impressed with the shaping influences of these 
 experiences upon him. At twenty-three he was a striking figure 
 physically. He had an erect carriage, a grace of movement that 
 appeared in an alert and characteristic walk, a peculiarly at- 
 tractive courtliness of manner, that accounted in large part for 
 his remarkable personal popularity, and a certain dignity of 
 character that suggested a sense of worth and self respect. 
 
 In the summer of 1858 he removed to Metamora, the county 
 seat of an adjoining county, where he was to remain for the 
 succeeding ten years. His coming into the little community 
 which he had chosen for his home was distinctly an event in 
 its history. Although the county was sparsely settled and 
 schools were few and means of transportation were practically 
 limited to the saddle horse and the wagon, there was a good 
 degree of intelligence, a native shrewdness, a discriminating 
 judgment among the people. Many a man who signed his name 
 with a cross held not inconsiderable estates that he had won 
 by his own sagacity and was regarded with warm respect by 
 his neighbors. The newspaper and the book were yet to as- 
 sume much of the dignity with which the later years have 
 crowned them. The county seat was several miles from the 
 nearest railroad, but cases were not unknown to its tribunal 
 that attracted to the little village the ablest lawyers of central 
 and northern Illinois. The presiding judges were capable men 
 and well versed in the law. Robert G. Ingersoll, already fa- 
 mous for the brilliancy of his wit, the eloquence of his argu- 
 ments and the breadth of his legal knowledge, was a familiar 
 figure in the little court room. One Abraham Lincoln, who 
 lived at the capital of the state and rode the Bloomington-Dan- 
 ville circuit, with David Davis, Leonard Swett and others of 
 their peers, occasionally found himself at Metamora. It was a 
 good place for the young man. He was not lacking in political 
 partisanship and the lines were sharply drawn in the intensity 
 of the political situation, yet he was so amply endowed with 
 tactfulness and kindliness of spirit that he was scarcely less 
 
82 ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 
 
 popular with his political opponents than with his political 
 friends. 
 
 It would have been a most interesting experience to gather 
 from those charming visits which it was my valued privilege 
 to enjoy, a fuller and more detailed story of his Metamora days. 
 In his "Something of Men That I Have Known," he describes 
 the country lawyer of three score years ago. Personally he 
 belonged to a somewhat later period yet he was intimately ac- 
 quainted with many of the actors and throughout understood 
 the spirit of the time. Books were few and were the constant 
 companions on the circuit. The modern and familiar law li- 
 brary at the county seat may have been a dream of the future 
 but it was not a reality of the time. Judges and lawyers were 
 alike pilgrims and traveled together as in ancient Canterbury 
 days. 
 
 The coming to the county seat of a group of eminent attor- 
 neys was an event to be looked forward to with warm interest. 
 When court adjourned for the day and the wits were fore- 
 gathered for an evening of social enjoyment there was a rivalry 
 quite as intense as that of the court room but it was far more 
 cordial. Mr. Stevenson's remarkable skill as a social enter- 
 tainer must have been acquired in large part in the charming 
 encounters of those historic evenings. 
 
 Fine native gifts, a clear sense of their worth, the discipline 
 of education, the dignity of service, spotless integrity, an un- 
 tiring industry, a profound respect for certain fundamental 
 convictions that the race has built into the substructure of a 
 superior rociety — these are elemental qualities that underlie 
 any true success. And these are qualities that were easily dis- 
 tinguishable traits in the possession of this man while he was 
 yet on the near side of the thirties, the time when men ordi- 
 narily have only begun to take on those permanent forms which 
 are to mark them throughout their lives. 
 
 In 1866 occurred the crowning event of his life. He was 
 married to Letitia Green, the daughter of Lewis Warner Green, 
 D. D. At the time of her birth her father was president of the 
 Presbyterian Theological Seminary, at Allegheny, Pa. While 
 she was but a child the family removed to Danville, Ky., where 
 Dr. Green became the president of Center College. It was while 
 Mr. Stevenson was a student at that institution that an ac- 
 quaintance began which ripened into affection and resulted in 
 the marriage of these congenial spirits. It is not easy to speak 
 of this gifted woman with the moderation that one should em- 
 ploy to avoid seeming extravagance of characterization. She 
 had been reared in a cultivated home. The doors of liberal cul- 
 ture had therefore been open to her. Her life from childhood 
 to womanhood had been spent in the intellectual atmosphere 
 
ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 83 
 
 of a college community. Her associations had been mainly 
 with those who were devoting their lives to the acquisition and 
 enjoyment of the finest things that can occupy one's attention. 
 She had interested herself in the serious and solid cultures 
 rather than in the more superficial accomplishments usually 
 sought by those who anticipate social careers. Her experiences 
 had developed that sense of personal dignity and worth that 
 are the crown of fine womanhood. She was simple and sincere 
 and able to appreciate worth wherever it might manifest it- 
 self, though clad in homespun and denied the cultural disci- 
 plines that are often the mark of gentle breeding. She was 
 abundantly prepared for any position to which she might be 
 called in the large range of our American life. She had fol- 
 lowed the leadings of her affections and had linked her des- 
 tinies with those of this young man who was making a notable 
 place for himself in the practice of his profession. Like him 
 she was destined to distinguished honors. Like him, she bore 
 those honors with that modesty and charm that have given 
 her a permanent and revered position in the traditions of the 
 Daughters of the American Revolution. 
 
 It was shortly after the resumption of his interrupted 
 Bloomington life that I came to know him and that a friend- 
 ship began that continued to the end. While not a lawyer I 
 belonged to a family of lawyers and that helped me to indulge 
 my fondness for their companionship. I was a frequenter of tlie 
 courts and a seemingly welcome guest at their offices. It was a 
 most gratifying fact that 1 was also remembered upon those 
 occasions when they celebrated their social inclinations by ban- 
 quets and similar formalities. 1 was thus drawn into relations 
 that were personally delightful and that gave me a vantage 
 ground to estimate accurately the character of whom I am try- 
 ing to write. I may properly add that I was never a member 
 of the political party to which Mr. Stevenson belonged, al- 
 though I cannot recall any incident in which that way a matter 
 of the slightest significance so far as our personal relations 
 were concerned. These things are worth saying, perhaps, as 
 the warmth of my admiration might otherwise be explained in 
 part by political considerations. 
 
 These were charming years for Mr. Stevenson from 1892 to 
 the close of the Cleveland administration. One dwells with 
 fond delay upon the ideal harmony of the man and the place. 
 His courtliness of manner, his affectionate nature, his genial 
 wit, his incomparable tact, his ripened intellect, his matured 
 judgment, his rich experience in public life — these all contri- 
 buted to the production of a presiding officer of unsurpassed 
 fitness for a body of men selected for the supreme legislative 
 
84 ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 
 
 dignity in our system of government. Nor can one forget that 
 in his home was one who was equally fitted to bear her part 
 in meeting the social demands of the wife of the vice president 
 of the United States. With an unaffected dignity that came 
 from gentle birth and noble culture, and from having shared 
 the struggles of her husband in his memorable ascent from his 
 modest beginnings to the lines of succession in which he took 
 his place among the illustrious men that preceded and followed 
 him, she shed the pure lustre of her charming character upon 
 his home and honored him by her ideals of womanly worth. 
 
 It is interesting to read the chapter on the vice-presidency 
 on the chatty and entertaining book to which reference has 
 been made. It covers a bare half-dozen pages, and one would 
 not suspect its author of having been one of those of whom he 
 wrote, except from the presence of the brief address with which 
 he closed his connection with the distinguished body, over 
 whose deliberations he had presided for a quadrennium. 
 
 Repeated reference has here been made to "Something of 
 Men 1 Have Known." This is Mr. Stevenson's most gracious 
 gift to those who have known him and admired him and who 
 hold him in affectionate remembrance. Its pleasing humor; its 
 charming, gossipy style, so free from the conventionalities of 
 historical literature; its estimate of men whose names are 
 household words, as determined by familiar personal contact; 
 its record of the impressions made upon his mind as he met 
 these men in the freedom of personal intercourse — these fea- 
 tures are vivid reminders of charming visits at his home, where, 
 in the seclusion of his library, his talk ran like a rippling brook 
 that sparkles under the sunshine. There are also re-tellings 
 of old traditions, Flemish pictures of quaint characters, real- 
 istic sketches of early experiences, revealing anecdotes, that, 
 like flash-light snap-shots, caught perishing and passing in- 
 cidents that gave vivid interpretations of the old life that with- 
 out them could not be adequately understood. In my treasure 
 house I have old letters from old friends whose voices are si- 
 lent; pictures of faces that once looked into mine, memories 
 of rare companionships with the richness of incomparable gems 
 about them. This volume is like old letters, cherished pictures, 
 hallowed memories. 
 
 The encomiums that were called forth by his death will of 
 themselves fill a volume. There is scant room for them here. 
 They have one burden that weighs far more than all the rest. 
 It is of supreme interest to observe that when the end has come 
 far less is said of the honors that he won at the bar; of the 
 political dignities with which he was crowned, than of the 
 things that forever abide. It is so charmingly expressed by 
 Hon. Proctor Knott, of Kentucky, long an intimate associate, 
 that it may well be quoted. 
 
ADLAI EWING STEVENSON 
 
 : 5 
 
 "Mr. Stevenson comes as near filling my highest ideal of a 
 model gentleman as anyone that I have ever known. I do not 
 allude to his attainments as a lawyer, to his ability as a states- 
 man, nor to any of these varied talents which have given him 
 such distinction among the prominent men of the times. These 
 are known and conceded by intelligent people everywhere. I 
 refer to the gentle virtues so constantly illustrated in all of the 
 relations of his private life— the unaffected kindness of disposi- 
 tion, the purity of thought, the guileless candor, the fealty to 
 truth, the harmless mirth, the forgetfulness of self, the tender 
 regard for the rights and feelings of others and the genuine 
 sympathy with all around him, which make him the prince of 
 companions and the paragon of friends, which clothe his pres- 
 ence with perpetual sunshine and fill his household with do- 
 mestic affection and happiness. A professed believer in the 
 sublime truths of the Christian religion, he never by word or 
 deed affords grounds for even a suspicion of the sincerity of 
 his faith." There is more to the same effect. This tribute to 
 his friend was not written by Mr. Knott when his heart was 
 wrung by separation but years before the shadows grew long 
 toward the west. 
 
 The voice of the press was musical with the same story. 
 Those who stood by his bier to speak the last words of fare- 
 well dwelt finally upon the same theme. And now that the 
 book is ended and that the hooded angel with the sleepy pop- 
 pies in her hand has clasped the "brazen covers" and that the 
 passions of men have died away, and the rivalries are for- 
 gotten, and the ambitions are dropped like the neglected play- 
 things of a child, the deep conviction of the supreme value of 
 character compels the reverent attitude of silence. And so it 
 is that this man with the kind heart and the genial face and 
 the gentle grace of courtesy, with the honors that he won and 
 with the affectionate approval of his fellow men, takes his 
 place in the permanent annals of his time. 
 
Ilflllllliliffillliiiiliiiillifi liliilillilllllllllliilllillilllliHliiiil