Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-03-29
Spsoa. W. l m. 3 N. m. tyr,
Alexander H. stephens,

The N. Y. Herald of Monday contained ao
Interesting Interview With Alexander Il. Ste
pheos BE has been in pu5liefs ticcs hews,
tWent1-?our years of age. and he ia now pas
seventy -six:
You can soy that retiritg is due 10 my sge
and IuhEmltles. L wish that the remainder OF
my days, should they bs extended to tho end
OF the present Congress, BE- spent 10 quiet and
resi-: The labors OF q member of Cougross are
to- hsavS for me to discharge as ought to.
| could never consent 10 hold aty oftos tie
| duties OF which | sm physically uusblo 10 dis.
o6arge. never assume pubic trust unless
tblok myself equal 10 It's duties"
| "Attsr your lorg pub 10 services are sou
Sill demoo:ss sad IN sympathy With thar
pary?"
Yes. l have slH,ys bcel democrat, but
| 30 lLdependen Democrat. [ have nerer &C.
knoa ladg,d allegiance 10 any parry. Nv
! allsgiatc, has bsea due to plinclpl,, aud psr,y
| organization L have never held to be other thar
| suoord,nsts to the great essential principles of
oonat.ulousl glvarnment ns snaouoced BY
Js II ,rsoo aud msluted By the fathers of The re-
public. IL TIA, school Of politics | was burn
aud reared, sCt 10 it expect to de-"
Despite his feebleness and 10. bility to walk
Mr.. Stephens retains not only his intellec u,I
faculties, but CT ,ys The advantage Of an appe-
lite end powels of digestion that Induce great
aiouels aId invite ooDViVal occasions. He is
temperate 10 all things. even in plSyitg e cards,
sport 10 which be delights. 1t is DOT unusu.
to hud MIR. Stephans surrounded b7 a whist
party, tor bis tkill iD the game ls said to b,
Suoh IS to challergs the adm,ratico Of the mes.
expert players If the dsy. Re is very f nd Of
the socie'y OF 5oGng people snd sesms 10 take
ucrs than ortloary interest 10 hearing the
views OF youig men. His dinner parties are
thCrOughly 10 IN sl The de,sils that epicureap
.rt w uId demard. Tho tsbIe Of his private
diuaer parties is gcherslly cnb.lisGeu Hi:h
fruit aid h,Rers.
Mr Sep phsLs does not etepd Congress every
day. Hc is Carried by his servant irum tic
ao:tl to his carriage aud divoo to the Cssiu
rnCre be 10 helped into his whee'-ohsir kept 10
he bu!'dl: and shaved sopg the Corridors 10
% the hall # the Houso Few are the m4u-
osrs who pass tho invslld without stopli to
"a plsssans word. Members OF b,th ries
alike pay rssueot 10 this old usu whose sp.ik-
Ing oy's sod thin Visaee con ,st 60 wotde-
tnll!, and tell Of tho tasd siIusle which MUD
yenrs 10 the persln OF A.Xatder Sle pheus
I; is a mis- aiken idss toat Mr.. Stephens is
ricn becaus, he hv.s we'll and sntertaiQs hauG-
somely. lie always did live we'll. and from the
i'm, lhs. he frs. want into pubic If, he has
kept opan hue. His comfortable bui Ole
f.shioued house in tr.w 'orusVlIlo ia and has
s!ways been sr,ud z'ous f,r poIuiions, lawy; rs,
am I'D, sd s'rarg RS VINO chenos TO visit tba.
village. 1t lis krosn aa Liberty Hail." fer i.
is lIkes ua,o au inu whose hlss dsppnses a
b.ur.couj hospitality With ali the smpl cry
magiusbe. Mr Stephens has virtually turo,d
oIs p'aptaiicn over TO bis furuer slaves. who,
though q1ite food IF their old master are not
o0rl-z sluus 10 their desire 10 promptly ply him
The small rentals, Ho hss made money, but
much CT it be either spent on olbcis or los. 10
uauckg itv-s!nents. He is q1its charitable.