The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-03-01
The Vice President OF the Southern
COnfederacy.
From the New Orleans Della.

V0m1oO0EoCys
From the New Orleans Della. y = -
Alexander Hamilton Stephens, a Georg-
ian by birth, a scholar by charity, an orr
ginal Wing, the Vice President of the
Southern Confederacy, is man remarkable
physically and Intellectually. s"
Mr.. Stephens is about fifty years of age,
and entered Congress in l843, with dele
cation consisting of four Democrats and
four Wings, and numbering among them
some of the ablest young men in the State
and it is no d. arrangement to any of the
others to say that be was pr,mus interpares.
The first great measure of the 18th Con-
gress in which be distinguished himself, was
the annexation of Texas, when for the first
time he detached himself from the old Wing
party, and with others voted with the Dem.
ocrats. That Congress was, perhaps, one
OF the ablest ever assembled at Washington,
and the debates upon this great measure
have been rarely equalled and never sur
passed. f yrs ra ir
Among the speakers were the old man
eloquent, John Q. Adams, Stephen A.
Douglas, William L. Yancey, Thomas L.
Clingman, Aaron V. Brown, r. M. L.
Hunter, Robert Dale Owen, Robert 9.
Winthrop, Howell Cobb John P. Kenne-
dy, r. b. Rhett; and many other gentlemen
scarcely less distinguished, the most of
whom now hold high position in the coun>
ellis OF the nation or in their respective
States. The part that Mr.. Stephens took
contributed not a little to the passage Of the
resolution for annexation. While some few
Wings followed the lead of Stephens, some
OF the Northern men, under the lead of
John P. Hale, OF New Hampshire, left the
Democratic party and voted against the
measure. Mr.. Stephens continued unin.
terruptedly member of Congress until
about two years ago, when he voluntarily
declined a reelection, partly from feeble
health, which alone prevented him from re-
ceiviDg the unanimous nomination for Vice
President at Baltimore, on the ticket with
MIR. Douglas.
During the service of Mr.. Stephens, per.
haps greater number of important matters
came before Congress than ever agitated
the councils OF the nation before. The
Mexican war with all its exciting incidents
and consequences-the Wilmot Proviso-
the compromise resolutions-the substitu>
ton of ad valorem for specific duties.
On each and all these questions Ste.
phens took leading part in debate and
it is no little honor to have been recognized
as one of the leaders in the debate parlici.
pated in by the distinguished men of that
time. -.....r
Clay, Calhoun, Webster, Benton and
Crittenden were in the Senate during the
greater part of that period, and to be able
to CLEAN any thing of value which escaped
these men was, OF itself, proof of the nigh.
est ability.
1t is often the case, says Lord Brougham,
that in great events those occupying the
foremost position receive all the credit,
while much, perhaps the principal part, is
really due to some one fighting in an inferior
rank, and Venable, of North Carolina, used
to say he did not like to see all the rays of
glory concentrated on those who wear the
epaulets, while nothing but hard blows fell
upon those who bear the knapsacks. To
Milton Brown, of Tennessee, and Alexander
Stephens, of Georgia, is due most of the
credit for the passage of the Texas resolu.
ton; and to Judge Dargan, of Alabama,
is also due great deal of the merit of
the war policy of"54 deg. 40 min. or fight"
policy upon the Oregon question.
1t is not our intention at present to write
a biography of Stephens, but simply to
sketch the outlines OF his political life, and
to show upon what fields he has been dis
tinguished. In personal appearance Mr..
Stephens would arrest the attention of any
ordinary observer. Pale and emaciated,
without beard, and with fine treble voice,
he has been called the John Randolph of
Georgia; but, unlike the great orator of
Roanoke, be rarely INDUCED in sarcasm or
phillipics, and was always distinguished for
great kindness in debate, amenity of man..
ners and cheerful temper. 1t is true that
on one occasion, some angry sparring oc.
Cured between Mr.. Yancey and himself,
which had nearly resulted in duel, but
which the friends of both parties settled
honorably and amicably.
MIR. Stephens did not often speak, but
followed the advice of Henry to his SOD, to
make himself not too common if be wished
the people to respect him. 1t was only
upon these great occasions that be address
ed the House at any length, and then he
was thoroughly prepared. He could at any
time obtain the floor, for bis fine treble and
shrill voice could be heard over the whole
House, and as be moved the adjournment
oftener than any other member, whoever
occupied the Speakers chair was certain to
recognize, among fifty frequently contending
for the floor, the gentleman from Georgia"
In connection with his appearance, we
may be permitted to relate an anecdote,
which bis good nature will pardon, as we
know be relishes joke even at bis own ex.
pense.
One of oru members of Congress from
this state was pointing out to constituent
of bis the most distinguished members of the
House, when the strangers eye lighted
upon Stephens, who was temporarily in the
chair. Turning from the gaze of Adams,
Mr.. Ingersoll and others on the floor, be
suddenly exclaimed, I" Who is that 2"
Why" said the member, what do you
think OF him :" " He must be an internal
smart man." replied the constituent" be-
cause no 10000 men would ever send such