The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1873-08-22
Address of Hon. A. n. Stephens to the
Citizens of Marietta.

This distinguished gentleman arrived in Ma
rietta last Saturday as guest Of COL James
| d. Waddell. As soon as it was known that he
was in the city, many ofour citizens fiocked TO
see Georgas great genius, statesman and ora
On last Monday night large number OF
our people assembled in front OF Col. WaddelPs
residence, about nine o'clock, and gave Mr..
Stephens the assurance of their confidence and
esteem. The String Band serenaded Mr. s..
and as the residence of Col. w was brilliantly
Illuminated and also the extensive Railroad
bridge opposite, while a display OF fire works
were INDUCED in, made the occasion one Of con-
siderable note and merit.
In response to calls by the crowd Mr. Ste
phens came out on the Partico, supported on
the right side by the arm Of Col. Waddell and
ON the left by crutch.
He said he appeared barely for the purpose
of returning his thanks for the very marked
manifestation of personal kindness and regard
exhibited on the occasion. For this unexpected
demonstration, they would please accept his
profound and sincere thanks.
He was in no condition physically to make
n speech, even if he were inclined, and prepared
to do so. He was an inva!id--in search of
health or that recuperation of wasted energies
which could only be obtained by quiet and rest.
1t was with this object, on his way higher up
in our mountain region-he was for few days
ayailingi himself Of the salubrity of the climate
of Marietta. SO famous in this respect, not only
throughout our own, but distant States.
AS the crowd seemed anxious to hear more,
Mr.. Stephens continued, by repeating that he
could not speak at that time, but if his condi-
ton and the occasion suited, moved and stirred
by his ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS early recollections Of
Marietta--her condition this last visit in 1860
the scenes and desolations Of war, which have
come tpon her since-and her present life, vigor
and prosperity rising az the Phoenix from It's
ashes-the subject theme which would press
upou me, would be Georgia. Great old Geor-
oia---her past, present and future. What remi-
nisences--what anxieties, and what earnest
hopes the subject would inspire Marietta,
rising superior to all the misfortunes which have
befsllen her is but type of the greater part OF
the State While he could not and would not
make them . speech, he would however; sub
NIT a few remarks upon this subject. which,
above all others of an earthly nature, lay near
est his heart Mainly for the consideration OF
the young-who might think Of benefttng
themselves ~ seeking homes elsewhere, he
would only submit what he had often said, IN
assuring them that in his opinion no equal ex
tent Of country the face Of the earth Afforded
a eater inducements to industry and enterprise
in any department of human energy than Geor-
gia, from her seaboard to mountains. In ag-
riculture-in mining-in the mechanism sny
department of manufactures--arts, in any field
of work ia no other part Of the world could
honest labor look 70 greater or surer rewards
than in Georgia, even down trodden as she had
been.
To say nothing Of our great staple cotton.
Georgia can compete with Kentucky, Ohio
and the States of the West, ia the production
OF all the great cereaIs--CorTi, Wheat Rye
Oats. etc. He referrs d to visit that he had
that day made TO Col. WaddelFs model farm
q few miles distant. where he seen corn equal
10 any upland corn he had ever seen in Tennes-
see or Kentucky, and cotton equal to any in the
middle part of the State. This shows what can
be done with all the lands in this vicinity. 1t
affords hopeful prospect for the future He
said he was NOT Of the responding class. All
that is necessary 70 make Georgia the Empire
state Though be did not like the word Empire
much) not only Of the South but Of all the
states of the world, was good government In
manufactures as well az agriculture. she Ought
10 take the lead. What we want il good gov
eminent. The real end and object Of all gov
sruneuf is the protection Of rights That Is the
true. and should be sole aim Of all government,
whatever form it may assume. in any age or
Cline IL Is It's only asioasl purpose. a con-
tssx. hv,yever, has ever been going On, IN every
gssazsmsuts between tlis rzlsss and me sussd