Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-03-09

The Career orGeorgia's veteran States


Alexander Hamilton Stephens, Governor Of
Taliatcrro county, Georgia, February II,
1919. lie was graduated from Franklin col
lego, Athens, Georgia, when twenty years
Of age, and admitted 10 the bar when twenty
two. He piactced in Crawfordville, and
soon was numbered among the most thriving
men in his profession. In 1880, he was elect
ed to the State Legislature, and consecutive
Y five times afterwards. In 1912, he took
his scat in the Senate OF Georgia, aud u yea
later was sent TO Congress as Il Wing, and
continued to represent his district in that au-
gust body until 1859. AT tho close of the
Thirly.tith Congress he declined 10 be again
a Candidate and on july 2, 1850, made q
speech at Augusta GeJrgia, in which he an
nounccd his retirement from public life.
During the even,iul years of his first terms
in Congress, years IN which tho terrible srug-
gle between the Northern aud Southern States
was anticipated in fierce party warfare, Mr..
Stephens was distinguishes. by wise con-
servalism and moderation. Iu February,
lS47, he submitted a series oil resolutions as
to the Mexican War, which afrerward form
ed plank in the platform of the Wig rar-
~. The c,lnprcmise Of 1859, which tempo
rarlly abaled the threatening intensity Of
party llfercnces, received his earnest advo-
caoy. In 1854 he strongly supported The
Kansas and Nebraska act, which olgtniZcd
those two Territories and left The question of
slavery to the decision of their inhabitants.
The breaking up of the Mig party III 1855
resulted In his adherence TO the Democratic
party. When, in 1860, his party split,h he sup
ported the Douglas Johnson electoral ticket,
aud deprecated threatening secession
iu the event OF Mr. Lincoln's sue
cess. In November Of the same
year he cotrespondel with Nj Lincoln on
The subject and made u speech Leiorc
the Legislature Of Georgia against secession.
Notwithstanding the general unpopuluritY OF
his views in his native State, he was elected
a member Of the preseason convention
which met ut Miledgevillc, iearlessly and
elOquenily slated his views and voted with
the minority against the resolution which
temporarily sundered Georgia from the Fed
eral Union This was on the 18th of JaDu-
any, 1861, the most momentous day in NJ
history OF Georgia. He was elected mem
Der OF The Confederate Congress which met
at Montgomery, Ala, and was made vice
president OF The newly-organized govern
ment. On the 2lst Of March, 1861, he made
that celebrated SPEECH in which he declared
slavery TO Lc The cornerstone Of the Con-
federacy. AGING as special commissioner
10 the Legisla!.. { u Virginia, he was iu-
tiueutial in deciding that State to secede.
In February, 1863, he was one OF three
representatives OF the Conitderacy who met
President Lincoln and Secretary Seward on
a steamer in Hampton Roads. and discussed
the situation which the war hal developed
in a manner which proved frulless, howcv-
er w0l.inteniioned on both sides. After the
surrender of General Lee, Mr.. Stephens IT.
tired to CTawfordvllle, where he was arrested
May II, 1865. and conveyed 10 Fort Warren
Boston harbor. On The lllh of October in the
same year he was released on parole. In
1866 he was elected to the Senate OF the
United States but was prevented from TAX
ing his s,at because Georgia. was considered
not to have complied with the conditions of
recons ructiol. Gle was elected TO Congress
in 1872, and retained his seat there until his
election as Governor Of Georgia last year.
Mr.. Stephens is the author of two import
ant works on The events of the war aud the
political questions involved in the struggle.
While believing that the States each have the
right to secede from the Union. he condemn
ed secession US impolltic. The cardinal doc
trine OF his political faith was TO give the larg
est liberty to the citizen compatible with the
protection OF property and the preservation
OF order
Physically Mr.. Stephens was exceedingly
frail and small. For many years no was I'M
able TO walk, and was wheeled into the Cap
itol on chair. which he occupied while gu
gagged IN public business, While man of
great determination aud force of character,
rs is indicated by the lines Of his face and
the expression of his large and piercing black
eyes, he was gentle and sympathetic. lie
stood In the front rank as an orator. The
great speech delivered ut Mlledgeville, in
which he deprecated secession, is a master
piece Of argument and passionate eloquencc.
In society he was easy, genial and ta1cinat-
ing, "full Of mattor,' and regarded with the
vencrstion due to his ability, learning public
services and spotless character,