The Portland daily press., 1883-06-19
Stephens In Prison.
A Visit to the Late Vice President OF the
Confederacy During His incarceration.
rphiiadelnhia Times l

philadelphia Times.l
few months after the close of the war
visited, with my mother, the city of Boston.
The national pulse was beating high, the
war excitements had not yet subsided, and
the contrast of feeling between the two sec-
tions, North and South, was very marked.
at the North the kindly and sympathetic ex-
pressions toward those with whom they had
been lately in deadly combat were surpris-
ingly general. John A. Andrews was gov
ernor of Massachusetts, pioneer statesman,
brave, judicious and humane His policy
for the South was in its own leaders, leading
and aiding in reconstruction, believing that
with them alone could it be made desirable
and permanent. In Boston and its vicinity
we were the recipients of very great kind
ness, which we must wellremember On
one day the program of an excursion COM
prised visit TO Mr.. Stephens, vice presi.
dent of the Southern confeleracy, then Lam
gushing as prisoner at Fort-Warren. We
found Mr.. Stephens at his desk or table pal
lid as death; his clear, dark eye beamed
with pleasure as he shook our hands and
told us we were the first ladies who had been
to see him, that he knew our sentiments
Il.
did not think it well to do so. The confine-
ment was severe upon. him and he could not
understand why the wrath Of the govern
ment should be shown so determinedly to
him. Our eyes were filed with tears.
In some respects it was we'll for Mr. Ste
phens that Fort Warren was chosen as his
place of confinement. Here ne was under
the care of honorable, high toned gentlemen.
lie had also the eompanionship Of his broth
er, Judge Linton Stephens, noble sneci-
men OF manly vigor and sympathizing intel
ISence. On returning to Boston wrote to
Mr.. Stanton, secretary of war, imploring
the release of Mr.. Stephens. The great aud
good Gov. Andrews inclosed the letter in one
from himself, asking eloquently and earn
estly for Mr.. Stephens's freedom. In reply
Mr.. Stanton wrote that the President was
absent, and upon his return he intended to
put the letters and the subject before him.
On reaching New York Judge DAILY of
that city told us that it was reported Mr..
Stephens was that long imprisoned because
1t was said he had prepared for delivery his
speech urging secession, rebellion and the
resort to arms before he had written and de-
livered his famous Union speech. which
preceded it in delivery only to be the more
effective. | wrote this to Judge Stephens,
and ID reply had long and interesting let
ter from Alexander III. Stephens himself
stating the falsity of the charge. 1t was a
free and interesting letter. He said he had
almost given up all hope of release. But
am glad to say that Mr.. Stephens was in
few days free, and when l saw him he told
me that Henry A. Wilson, afterward vice
president, had labored for and, he thought.
procured his release. Good Mr. Wilsonl
When | saw Mr.. Stephens after the lapse
of years he said: Forget you? No, I never
can; you tried to get me out of prison. And
call when would and with whom / would
at his apartments at the National hotel in
Washington, he always welcomed me. The
last time l saw Mr.. Stephens he was at
Washington in his chamber i'll, suffering
from the effect of fall or misstep on the
staircase. Though in great pain he was
debating letters, clear and concise, TO his
State. Always living in the ante-chamber
of death, it seemed mysterious providence
that his healthy and beloved brother should
be the first received into the solemn pres
ence. MF. Stephens always spoke of him
with emotion--sometimes closing his eyes
and told me that his wife, Boston lady.
was preparing his memoirs.