Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-11-13
Governor Ntenhens

EiitOr Morning Nel0S The election OF
Mr.. Alexander H. Stephens Governor Of
Georgia at this time, and almost at the very
close of his long and singular political
career, has q strong touch Of the anoma-
lous. Not that he could not have been
elected Governor at an earlier period, for
there has scarcely been time in his history
that it would have been denied him by the
people Of Georgia. but his ambition did not
lead him to desire it, so far as the public
knew, and his people always sent him where
they thought he would do the most good.
Whether as an Old Line Wing, a Union
Democrat, Anti Secessionist, Reconstruc-
zionist, or leader Of the so called Bourbon
Democracy OF the present day, his popularity
never fOrsOOk him. He seems to have been
the one man in the South, or in the entire
country as TO that, who retained, through all
the political phases OF his time, the fresh
ness and cOnstancy Of the peoples affee-
tiOns.
The secret of this, perhaps, lay in the fact
that Mr.. Stephens political phases were ap-
parent only. New issues gave new names
to parties, and, Of course, leaders wore them
as badges before the public, but there was
no need, even under the stirring events of
the war, to repudiste fundamental princi-
piles, and these Mr.. Stephens never failed
to hold up before the people whenever his
voice could be heard above the din and con-
fusion OF political excitement. Faithful
still In his lifelong integrity to the fuuda-
mental principles of the National Govern
ment, he simplifed his inaugural sd-
dress by a reannouncsment of the
Jehersonian code OF Democratic Republi-
csnism, and erjoyed the rare felicity, for
these times, Of being able to declare that he
entered upon his duties as Governor abso-
lutely untrammeled, no enemies to punish,
no friends 10 reward. There is not another
man living who could have got into the
Office with such freedom at the time Mr..
Stephens made his advent. The only other
man we can remember who could have sp-
preached him in such peerless regard of the
people, Is Ex-Governor Charles j. Jenkins,
OF Augusta.
But the sage OF Liberty Hall had never
been Governor through all his great pO-
litical life, and the people of Georgia,
who always sympathized with the man,
loved him for the honesty and simplicity of
character maintained through all the tri-
umphs Of his genius, were glad Of the oppor-
tuuity presented by the distracted counsels
OF the Safe to step sside, make a "new
departure" Tejuvenste their old hero and
long time political idol, aud confouud all
the political factions Of the State by seating
him over their heads in the Executive chair.
No matter who were instrumental IN his
nomination, they were only instrumental,
for the fact seems to have been one of
those political Incidents, secretly evolved
from the fitness OF things,
prepared in the best minds Of men, when
enlightened society IS ready to take another
step forward. Mr.. Stephens was an out
slider in reference to the politics OF the
State, for neither party scarcely dared claim
him, while In fact bo.h did claim him until
he decided TO announce himself clearly on
the Democratic side, and even then he did
It with such conservative grace as very
nearly to cOnciliate the other side. Ii he
fell short of this in the election he viii
achieve It IN his administration, and begins
by assuring them that he has no enemies to
punish. Aud he viii keep his word,
for Mr.. Stephens has natural honest, good
heart, which made him the "Great Com
mOner," and saved him amid the tempta-
tions ever open to brilliant genius, from
becoming the astute politician. He is real
statesman OF the people, not alwsys In se-
cord with their views, out often In advance
OF them, with full sympathy aud sincerity
Of purpose, which they invariably acknoWl-
edge, as on the present occasion, when they
have risen up to his position.
As politician he might have accumulated
large us AOuE btENlCo IN
Congress, as many others did; but, as q true
patriot aud statesman, be was superior to the
temp stiOns Of the times, and contented
himself with The moderate salary OF the
Office he filed. The fact that be passed so
many years OF his life amid such tempts-
tions with seemingly no thought OF self
aggrandizement, without sccumulsting even
a competency for old age, could not escape
the people OF bis State, who knew him 90
well, and that, with one accord, they ceased
all political strife among themselves, march
ed down to Liberty Hall, drew forth the
hoary, feeble, almost pOvertY-strieken sage
and hero of two republics, and gratefully,
elevated him TO the highest
position in their great S5lte, fills enlight-
ened minds everywhere with admiration of
q people who delight to honor merit, and
whose understanding has not been dsrkened
by the reign of moral and political c0rTup-
tion 10 the nation.
The eyes of the whole country have been
turned upon this noble act Of the people Of
Georgia, and It will be taken as the begin
ming of a new era in Southern politics.
reunion OF conflicting elements at home and
with the political hsrmonies
abroad. Secession and anti secession in the
South heal their mutual wounds by this
laying on Of the final plaster IN Georgia, and
the chronic suspicion OF the North must be
eradicsted upon witnessing the popular ac-
ceptance in Georgia of the one prominent
rebel it generously forgave, because of the
honest consistency OF his record as a Union
ist. L. G. B.