Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1859-03-25
Biographical.
From the Spirit Of the Times
HON, ALEXANDER III. STEPHENS.
BY T. Is. THORPE.


The time was, when visit to Wash
ington city presented field of intellect
ual interest; there were men in our
national councils alike remarkable for
mental power and physical peculiarly
In the Senate were Clay, Webster, and
Calhoun; in the House, Randolph, Bur
CESS, Crockett, and other giants in their
way, who, once seen, afforded life long
"reminiscences. At present our Con-
grcssmen have, with very few exceptions,
become commonplace, and in no way
distinguishable from the vulgar multi
tude which throng the drinking saloons
and naked streets of our nations capital
Mr.. STEPHENS, of Georgia, one of the
oldest members Of the House of Repre-
seDtatives, is the most prominent man,
intellectually, and the most remarkable
man, physically, of the few remaining
celebrities. From his infancy he has
been an invalid, and the fearful effect of
suffering is shown in his singularly deli
cate frame, in his pale attenuated face,
and in his feeble walk. A first intro
duction to Mr.. Stephens fairly startles
you, and it is utterly impossible to real
izc that there stands before you a man
deservedly famous for his triumphs, alike
at the bar and the forum; that one so
frail could, by his mental ability, give
character to the legislation of great
people but few moments conversation
however, arc only necessary to impress
you with the feeling that you are in the
presence of remarkable man: there is
the simplicity of child in his manners,
yet his rich and varied experience crowds
upon you, in anecdote and incident, in
the statement of broad principles, and
philosophic reflections, and carries you
away with the gentlencss and power Of a
deep and irresistible stream, His remi-
nlscences Of great men are charming be-
yond expression, and he seems particu-
larly fond of dwelling upon the mental
characteristics Of such men as Crawford
Clay, Webster, and their compcers, ana
lying with singular perception their
peculiarities, and by happy flashes of il
lustration, giving you key to their
characters-crystalzing them, indeed
until you could see through and through
them, and understand them as if you had
new sense of mental perception.
The grandfather Of the Hon. Alexan-
der II Stephens, of Georgia, the found
or of his family in America, was an Eng
lishman by birth, and strong Jacobite,
and therefore by nature an enemy to
George III; he came to this country
with General Braddock. After that SOL
dier's defeat he joined the American
army, took an active part in the revolu-
ton, and at the close of service settled
in Pennsylvania. In the year 1892 he
settled in the South, first in Ebert coun-
ty, then in Wilkes, on Kettle creek,
where he remained until 1905, when he
removed again into that part of Wilkes
which was eventually cut off to form
Talieferro. The father and grandfather
of Alexander II. Stephens died upon the
place. Here it was that Alexander was
born on the 18th of February, 1872; his
mother dying when he was an infant
His father, who was a man of limited
means, Of great industry, and of unusual
probity, maintained high standing in
the neighborhood his death occurred
when Alexander was fourteen years Of
age. Left an orphan in his childhood,
his paternal home sold for distribution,
the portion of each child being only
$444, he was dependant almost entirely
upon his own exertons the future gave
little promise that the sckly, cmaciated
boy would in time make himself heard
in the councils Of the nation, and by his
wisdom and energy give tone to the af-
fairs of the world Before his fathers
death he had been a regular attendant at
the neighborhood school, and by the kind
ness of an uncle he continued his limited
studies. Possessed of an ambition TO
excel, he finally conceived the idea of
securing classical education, but was
without the pecuniary means to accomp-
lish his wishes. Fortunately, friends
came to the rescue, and furnished the
funds, which he would only accept as a
loan; and with this encouragement, he
set himself to work, and without the as
sistance Of a tutor, in nine months stu
dy, commencing with the rudiments Of
the plainest English education, he fitted
himself for the Freshman Glass, and with
considerable cciot entered tho Georgia
University. After the usual course Of
study of four years he graduated with
the highest honors, the record Of which
is shown with pride by the present Off
GERS Of the institution. Inspired with n
high degree Of personal independence,
he Immediately offered his services az a
teacher, and for fifteen months toilcd in
that illy-appreciate1 but honorable occu-
patton, earning money enough in that
time to pay the obligations he contracted
while pursuing his studies BY this
time his close application had entirely
worn out what little vitality one possess
cd who had been an invalid from his
birth, and, utterly Frustrated, he had to
quit all active duties, and seek relief in
travel. With some little Improvement
Of his physical frame be returned to la
Dor, chose the Jaw as a profession, COM
its study in the month Of May,
1884. His first fee after he commenced
the practice Of the law was consumed in
tho purchase Of pocket-book 10 keep his
papers in On his offer to purchase the
rife, his ability to do 20 was called in
question lie, however paid the money