Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1874-01-09
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
A. H, Stevens..Tho Holidays


WARRINGTON, D. c.. Dec, n, 1878.
n DEAR BuLLETIN:-In my last let
ter l devoted considerable space to
description Of Hon. B. F. Butler,
aud in this it is my intention to say
something of the most remarkable
man in the House of Representa-
tives-Alexander H. Stephens.
1 Mr.. Stephens is now nearly sixty
six years old, having been born on
the 18th of February, 1912, IN Tall.
aferro county, Georgia. He bears
his age but poorly, and is great
sufferer from rheumatism; one of
his hips being so much affected by
that terrible disease that he is com.
PEELED to use clutches in walking.
He is very much emaciated, espec-
tally his hands, which resemble
those of an under-fed skeleton. His
face is thin and strongly marked;
his mouth firm and decided; his
eyes-which are as keen and bright
as they were years ago-are set
deeply in his head; his forehead is
high and very wide-which gives a
sharp and wedge-like appearance to
his chin; his cheekbones are as
prominent as an Indians, and time
and care have scanned every availa-
BILE portion of his face with wrink-
les. Crown4such head as l have
described with thick, bushy, white
hair, and mount it On a withered,
decrepid body, and You complete
the picture.
During the transition state which
interviewed between arrogant as
sumption and open rebellion, on the
part Of the Southern States, Mr..
Stephens eloquence was earnestly
and powerfully brought to bear
against the secession movement; he
exposed the hopelessness of the at
tempt, and again and again predict
ed the disastrous result of a strug-
gle with the Federal government,
but to no purpose, carried away by
party feeling and sectional pride,
his pro-slavery companions struck
the blow that brought on our terri
BILE civil war. After all hope Of
averting the act Of secession was
gone, he joined, heart and soul, In
the formation of a new confederacy
of States, was chosen Vice Presi-
dent, and worked with all his
strength for the success of his
cause. Now-unpunished and I'M
repentant-he again takes his place
as one of the legislators Of the gov
eminent which has found in him a
would-be destroyer. Is it right?
Christmas has come and gone
quietly, but pleasantly, enough in
Washington. Santa Claus was as
usual benifcent in his gift-making
to tho little ones; the theatres pro-
fessed to offer greater attractions
than customary, and there was no
small business done by the dispen-
sers of liquid refreshment. Every
one, who could do so, ate too much
turkey and paid the penalty in night
mares-such night mares as a
Christmas dinner alone can give
rise to.
There is not much official bust
ness of importance done here dur
ing the holidays. Congress is not
in session, and the departments
close at noon until January l, 1874.
At our places Of amusement we
are having "The Geneva Cross"
Escaped from Sing Sing" Duprez
and Benedict's Minstrels, and two
variety entertainments. Surely, one
would suppose that all tastes might
be gratified in the above list, added
to monster concert at Lincoln Hall.
Thomas Nast's lecture, illustrated
by drawings made on the spot, was
q great success. His subject
"Caricatures and Caricaturists''-
was well handled, and his pictures,
which were drawn with wonderful
rapidity, brought shouts of laughter
from the large audience assembled.
He finished by representing himself
on his way to bed, candle in hand.
and wrote under the sketch "good
night to ALL" S. 7.