The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-10-20
Hon. Alexander H. Stephens.

We spent some time this week with
Hon. A. I'll. Stephens, at Liberty Hal.
The old statesman has quite recovered
his ordinary state of health, anu looks
as we'll as we have seen him during the
last five years. He has an excellent ap-
petite, enjoys the bountilul repast OF
his home table, and is never SO well
pleased as when old and new friends
partake OF his good cheer. His removal
from dismal and ill-yentilated room,
or rather den, to cheerful and comfort
able apartments in the renovated main
building has been attended with the best
results. This change was made at tie
suggestion OF lady, the wife of one Oh
mis- Oldest and most distinguished
friends. She certainly did as much for
his physical Well-being as any of the
doctors. So well indeed is Mr.. Stephens
that Gen. Toombs, VINO tarried between
trains while we were there, aud Is him.
self in robust condition, declared EN-
phatically that he had "named Aleck as
his executor" The General was in one
of his best moods, and became SO
absorbed in the discussion of local and
Federal politics that he had to make an
lexpeditious bolt for the depot, forgettul
OF mis- stout cane. but faithfully intent
upon meeting legal engagements. He
l
not any the better Tor an unaccustomed
race down one hill and up another.
While at Liberty Hall, we took adYan-
tage of bright day, and visited the old
homes tead and plantation of Mr.
Stephens forefathers. The house in
which Mr.. Stephens was born no longer
exists. The family graveyard is well
preserved. 1t was in the garden. The
st who ''fell upon sleep" were two
children who died the same day, and
were buried in the same grave. At the
date of their death two small cedarS
were planted alongside of them, and
these have now grown into a pair OF
mighty trees. Mr.. Stephens father, his
mother and step-mother repose side by
size. An elder brother, Aaron, is also
buried here, and two or three other mem
bers of the family. With tilial reverence,
MIR. Stephens has inclosed this burial
ground with a solid stone wall, and ap-
propriately marked the graves. just
within stones throw of where the
house stood, in the valley, is bold
spring OF crystalline water. On the
rocks around it, Mr.. Stephens, in 1881,
carved his initials, and they remain uu-
detaced TO this day. His brother Aaron
also cut his initials in another stone, but
not trace of them renamed twenty
| years dROs 1ulS WOulu oSem W nave
typifed their different careers. The
brother died young and LETT no mark on
the world. The grand old statesman
OF Liberty Hall survived to make a pure
and lasting impress upon mis- genera
ton, and many more to come.
In a tbicket, about one hundred yards
from the spring, on gentle accliVity, il
the grave Of MI. stephens grandfather
VINO was native OF England, settler
OF Pennsylvania, and alterward one OF tht
earliest coionists OF Georgia. He was
Captain in the Revolutionary War, AM
upon his tombstone the great commone
has recorded that his ancestor fought TO
local sell-government and the sovereign
ty of the States-a doctrine Of which tn
sage of Liberty Hail has been one OF til,
most lustrious champions in the forum
OF his country.
Mr.. stephens intellect beams with al
the brightness Of youth; it is the on
limperisnable and undecayed power o
mis- mortal frame. That il may continu
to be upborne, for long time yet, b.
his feeble but intense ply ysical organiza
ton is the prayer Of thousands Whc
reverence him as veritable apostle O
constitutional liberty, and upon who's
teachings hang the hopes Of "millions ye
to be.".-[ Augusta (Ga.) CONSTITUTIONAL
, list,