Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-09-19
Correspondence of tho WING.
VICE PRESIDENT STEPHENS.

VICE PRESIDENT STEPHENS.
To tie Editor Of the Wig:
For sixteen years engaged In the prsoics Of tho
law In that part Of the State Of Georgia in which Alex.
ander Il. Stephens resided have frequently been
cia<d with and retained against him in the risl Of m
portant causes. have known him for that period Of
time intimately In the private relationship. Of life.
have acted with him in the same political party, and
have stood opposed TO him political Issues which d.
vdsd the American people. When the waves of p,lii.
cal excitement we're running high and party pr.udces
bitter, have met him in public discussion before
the people. Ny opportunities 70 know him have been
the best and embraced them. Moreover, have lived
among the people whose devotion to him furnished Tho
basis Of his,renowD. ! know them we'll The sun doe,
not shine upon better people. They as highly cul.
iivated any people this continent Ca ID. rtu
Of fame they have bright gliltsr there and
many Of them and no man whom |. hs b.eu their
pleasure 10 honor and elevate has ever deceived them or
betrayed the trust they repoied in him. follows ID T. 90
matter course that the endorsement Of their dscrm.
mating confidence must be worth semsthipg Blu, before
Abiding their testimony, allow give my own and
psrmi. to state that no witness appeared upon
tho stand from the bliss Of pr idice the hope Of re.
ward more utterly free than AN. bold 10 Office in
this Government and at ell inclined 70 Indulge
the expectation tia: ever shall. su under no obi.
cations to Mr. Stephens for anything aud trust rever
shall be. have been taught look upon tina truth az
sacred and always worth defending for is ox, sacred
sake. IL deferce day seems TO involve tie uams,
character, history conduct aud genius Of Alexander H.
Ssphsns That is fault Of mine nor does It diminish
the Importance Of my mission. No friend OF truth,
when he undertakes its defence, pause AK qles-
tons Ny bushes, FIRST; then s to deliver my own ,es.
nony In the premises and bouad STATE that after
having listened to Mr. Stephen. the Bar aud O. ito
hustpgs and carefully read his great speeches delivered
in Cougrsss for sixteen years. that bound to admit
his attributes to b. ths Of sft thinker Grst rate
reasoner and frst rate speaker. We have nAR lie.
ing this continent whose vision psnetrat.s the veil,
that contains the future like his ooes ard sees the eyep
that are curling even before their shs6ors announce
their approach. Iu tho lJrs OF research, hs great
mind ID an eIhLuslsss storebou.e. As political tcouc.
mist he is familiar with every recorded fact that belong,
to the history Of every goverpner. that rose or
fell. As a statesman he giant in those Days when
Clay, Calhoun and Webster we're in the land. There
opinions of his attachments and power have been the
result Of close study Of his character and many Of
those great Efforts Of his at the huS;irgs wtch for ye
it hrs been ny privilege to hear. BIT haze reserved
for the conclusion Of ny perSora evidence the ,tAs
mert of one fact, which Il affords a tincere sad
proud plaa.ure to mention. sude 20 the excited pu-
rity of his character Never have been able TO fad
even when crossing swords with him in the tbicks Of
the fight anything resembling shadow Of li,tl,ne.s
mesnress or uufairness Honorable liberal, ju.' aud
sometimes msgaaniroas TO an en'my lie uss never
failed to impress every familiar scquan'sce he has at
the South, with ths seal OF lofty integrity, and that
cannot b. mistaken in this stateusn have only to
refer to bis history for tie last few months to y
tho most increduloua. He sccsp;sd the Eectcrsip
for Douglas in Georgia, VIXEN he knew Georgia lever
would give to Douglas her electoral vote. Thi s!oDe
should have settled the fact for all zine, that nc YES
capable Of ring above his own persona! Interests,
and standing firm pills. Of iron st the post OF ouy,
regardless CT consequences Political weshetcock,
n.ver fSuad dsying the popular will and lsadirg nara
oorporas guard against the omnpoisnt mob Ia Gorgs
last Summer, Mr. Stephens did Il. Well, Llncon was
elected aud the Legislature Of Goori ia passed scs
thersupon calling Convention 70 decide what Georgia
would do in the premisS'. A large minority Of ths
delegates elected ,sa. Convention for Gec,.s
and s,.rnsl separation. Hr. Stephens was lol. Yet
when those delegates were called upon 10 elect
member. to reprssen. Georgia in the Provisional Gem
xrss who was their as, choice! Alexander Il. steph
ems. Whyi Bedus h'y knss tbs man. For over
twenty years the name Of Alexander Il. Stephens has
been household word throughout the STATE Of Gsogs.
Ths. Convention wss composed Of tie sbest nep 10
State ths: ,bourds with Of signal ability. They hsd
known Mr. Stephens long and well, and therefore they
united with unsnimi.y without parallel in the history
Of upon hiI name and be was elected with.
out 4 dissenting vo:cs. he repaired to &cnRomery,
aud took bis sea! in Provisional Congress- There he
met with men from all the Cotton St.teS, sith whom 70
had been on terms Of intimacy through oug year oiprb
service They knew the history OF his adhesion 10 tia
standard of the Little Giant; but when they were called
upon to select from among the pursst and abes men IN
our land Vice President they did not hesitate tc give
their sutages un,nimou'ly TO Alexander Ii. seph0r,.
Why did they do III Because they koew the man.
Now ask wha. has be said done sncs 10 prove that
either the people Of Georgia, the Gsorgs Convection or
the Provisional Congress have misplaced their cott
d,oc., "Ip,use for . replv!" BRUTUS
ALBEAARLE COUNTY.
Ata meeting o. the citizens OF Waite Hall Darict,
Asensrls county, held Sept IL 1851 for Oh, purpose
o, recon nendins suitable candidate gil the vacancy
In the State Convention occssoned BY the death Of or
distinguished and lanented felow-eiissn Valentino W.