The New York herald., 1868-02-21
Alexander ii. stephens Views National
Politics.

from the Philadelphia Inquirer, FEB. 70
Mr.. Stephens is now experimenting the publication
OF his first and only book, "Ihe War Between tho
States" He will leave the city To- morrow for short
New York and the Eastern States, and return
again week. lie entered the house while
inquirng for HIM, and invited 10 his on
closing portions Of his book. He walked ~ the aid
or cane, but with rapid step and so actively
that we recognized nothing Of the bodily eebeness tina;
has been imputed TO him. Mr. stephens has been often
described, and Photographic portraits Of HIM very
common; those latter convey very little idea Of the
pale soft skin OF his the nneness OF his hair the
extreme delicacy OF his hands aud the exquisite har
mony OF his features manners and voice rctned
ganizatioD, fine almost 10 efem macy, IL manifest NJ
once to any ono who may meet hin his hair has
whiened equally, without becoming tbinned, and his
forehead expresses babtua physical pain HIS eyes
OF q dark hazel color, beautiful aud iargu
sumptiyes but keen and flashing at times his s of
Ike spirit, cut clean profile and nostr and his smooth
face, sioping quickly TO deiicats chin, contains
mouth like grls, small and sra ght Jefferson Davis
in some Of his nervous and intense movements, re-
minds one OF Mr. Stephens but the former IL OF coarer
and more earthly mould. Mr. stephens has at times a
petuant look Of sudden pain suppressed almost i'm
mediately. He is bent somewhat, and his invalid CON-
plexion and stature give him the appearance of a re-
gious enthusiast except when at his
countenancs strengthens and his voice grows shr and
elective like john Randolphs.
We asked him how tho State OF Georgia thriving
'Every thing there is wretcsd hs replied. ave
ruined or next to ruined. The negroes compacily
organized their leagues reaching TO every county Of the
State. They coerce aud threaten any black man who
does not Join them They are, in FACT unit politically.
Incend ares the on scourngs OF the earth, have moved
into tho State their only object being TO STIR up strife
These have excited the negroes with political hopes
which they would not have entertained otherwise, and
demoralized the entire popua uation
We spoke OF the tour OF senator Wilson and others In
the south
1T was not Of Mr. Wilson or mon Of tha, grade that
spoke,n said Mr.. Stephens. These ncendaries
ostensiby lawyers. We never see them; they hvs
almost entirely among the biacka We don't know
where they come from; they arc e,erywnere, and
Always for mischief
rhon Georgia worse OF, in your belief. than at the
',lnanitey. The war closed upon a submissive, and,
so far as good citizenship concerned, . quiet and
obodient people The terms OF the peace accoded
TO. The negroes promised 10 give us no anxiety. II
seemed comparatively, easy problem 10 set society
to work again. TIL these mischevous emissarles
peace was scheving its good results. At present We
live in fear and without hope"
We asked in the negroes rot the ascsndaucy in
abandon the State" said Mr. Stephens. ~ would
leave u with the precipitation OF Lot and never look
back We are 50 organized there the proportions OF
tho are sucn that negro citizenship would leave
the whites IN minority. 10 this We could never sub
mt. our only policy would DO sm'sratlon give tnis
trial. he said "Ths madness for Capitalization, this con-
soidated desposm, IL achieved, will bs the downfall OF
freedom II s ths last chance for man ~ Intelligent
selfgovsnmsnt Asains, these principles now in the
critical moment OF their triumph the whole wisdom Of
reisns; We are about 70 destroy freedom to bud up
party and government that viii dsvour u.s.
Our next inquiry Was as to the probable admission OF
Alabama under the defeated constitution. On this Mr.
Stephens said that the negro constitution had been put
TO vote and beaten by ten thousand ballots Neverhs.
Iess NJ bingham nau Teporseu suss WV otAto snvuiu
be admitted upon this same constitution.
We expressed n doubt that u was MI Bingham who
had introduced the DILL lie said that Mr. Bingham, Ike
ali the rest had subsidized into the madness Of his party
Al 70 the righteousness Of such reconstruction, he said
senten,iousiy, Right why, how have they done
everything 10 Congfessf"
Being de.irous of knowing whether Northern men
were sti settling In Georgia, Mr. Stephens replied 10
our question IN the neg :-"Thsy came in here at
first Yapdly-a good class Of Northern men, too No.
body s setting in the State at present Why should
tbeyR would not lend Georgia dime II the negro
tuouA ts...- 4 Ifnln thrn~
tho sea sasnston, bankruptcy and ruin are inevitable
- VIC are drifting at present"
We ventured 10 suggest Ibunty TO Mr. Stephens that
he should express his choice OF candidate for the next
Presidency "welLu he sad, II am cot al active man
now; / am a parolsd prisoner. However, don't mind
saying that think Mr. Johnsons reelection would be
good thing for the country He IL the hest halfway
man that can see. have disagreed With him many
times, but be 10 national man, who tries to do for the
best, and Who seems 10 see the clearest think his
position IL patriotic one. and he is seadfaat in H. III
tho democratic party could hsrmonixe aud nominate
him II would encourage the southern people 10 believe
that all might yet be well =
We asked Mr. stephens IL his celebrated "slavery.the
Corner sonsv speech had been properly reportcdY He
answered that be supposed - bad but that 10 quotation
had been make him say that slavery was
the foundation OF tho confederacy. lie had meant
Z I. a.4