The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-04-18
STEPHENS IN PRISON.
A visit TO the Late vice-Prcsidcnt OF
the Confc<scracy During Hts Incar-
ceratfau.

Miss Van Lew writes to the Philadelphia
Times
A few months after the close Of the war
visited. with my mother. the city Of Bos-
ton. The national pulse was heating high !;
The war excitements had not yet subsidized,
and the contrast OF feeling between the
two sections, North and South, was very
marked. At the North the kindly and SYM
pathetic expressions towards those with
whom they had been lately in deadly COM
bat were surprisingly general. John A.
Andrew was Governor Of Massachusetts, a
pioneer statesman, brave, iudiciou>, and
humane. His policy for the South was in
its own leaders leading and aiding in re-
construction. believing that with them
alone could il be made desirable and per-
manent. In Boston and its vicinity we
were the recipients OF very great kindness.
which we must well remember. On one
day the programme OF an excursion com
prised q visit TO Mr.. stephens, Nice-PreSi-
dent OF the Southern COnfedcracy, then
languishing a. prisoner al Fort Warren.
II has slways been q mystery why Alex
andcr II. Stcphens-one Of the most amia-
bic, benevolent. and yirtuouS OF our south
cn lcadcrS-Onc whose powers OF head
and heart had all been used in favor Of
the United States until the last moment
before the war he was swept from his
feet 10y the rushing, maddenIng torrent,
whose powerful appeal for the Govern
ment oyerlalanced in my mind his later
call for unity and consolidation against
The Government, was never regarded with
favor. nor looked upon n altogether
sound in heart for the Confedence-should
be held longest in prison. an object Tor
the Scornful finger Of southern rebels who
doubted him, aud hard feeling from the
Government. As regarded climate the lOca'-
ity chosen was piiifully cruel. EXquiSitely
sensitive 10 every change OF barometer or
Thermometer. the thick walls OF his prison
must have been Of unavoidable dampnesS:
the depressing atmosphere OF the ground
floor; the east winds, which tear the nerves
aud turmoil in agony the brain. were I'M
relenting. pitilesS. racking inquisitors.
For many years life had been 4 struggle
i'm his frail frame.
With the native delicacv Of the BOsto-
mans. we were Of the chosen few for this
visit. We found Mr.. stephens at his desk,
or table, pallid a. death; his clear. dark
eve 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 and wished 10 visit Us du-
ring the war. but did not think II well 10
DO 80. The confinement was severe upon
him. and he could not understand why the
wrath Of the Government should be shown
50 more deteTminedly 10 him. our eyes
filed with tears.
In some respects il was well for Mr.. Ste
phens that Fort Warren was selected Is his
place Of confinement. Here he was under
the care OF honorable. heightened gentle
men. He had, also. the cOmpanlonship Of
his brother. Judge Linton stephens, q no.
bic specimen of manly yigoT and Sympa-
thiZing intelligence. On returning 20 BOs-
ton | wrote 10 Mr.. Stanton. Secretary OF
War. implOring the release 81 Mr.. Ste
phens. The great and good Governor An
drew enclosed the letter in one from him.
self. asking elOQuently and earnestly for
Mr.. Stephens's freedom. In reply Mr.
Stanton wrote that the President WIS alb
sent, 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 u> that il was reported Mr..
Stephens was that long imprisoned because
il was said h had prepared for delivery his
speech urging secession. rebellion. and the
resort 10 arms before he had written and
delivered his famous Union speech, which
preceded il in delivery only TO be the more
effective. | wrote this To Judge Stephens,
and in reply had a long and interesting let
ter from Alexander II. stephens himself
stating the utter falsity Of the charge. Ii
was free aud interesting letter. He said
he bad almost given up all hope of release.
But am glad TO say that Mr.. Stephens was
in a few DAYS free. and when saw him he
told me that Henry \. WilSOn-afterwards
Vice-Pre>ident-ha labored for and, he
thought. procured his release. Good Mr..
Wilson
When | saw Mr.. stephens, after the lapse
OF years, be said: Forget YOU: No, /
never can; you tried TO get me out Of pri-
SON. And call when | would and with
whom ! would az his apartments al the M
tiOnal Hotel in Washington, he always
welcomed me. The last time | saw Mr.. 1
stephens ne was at Washington, in his
chamber. III, suffering from the effect OF
fall or misstep on the staircase. Though !
in great pain, he was debating letters.
clear and concise, TO bis state. Always
living in the ante-chambeT Of death. il
seemed a mysterious providence that his
healthy and beloved brother should be the
first received into the solemn presence
Mr.. Stephens always spoke Of him with !
emotiOn-sOmetimes closing his eyes-and !
told me that his wife, a Boston lady, was
preparing his memoirs.
Years have passed since our little party |
visited Fort Warren. Sir Frederic Bruce !
and the Hon. Arson Burlingame were
among the number. Their names have
long been stricken from the roll OF men. |
With Us, too, were others whose dear |
names, unknown to fame, are memories !
now. Alexander II. Stephens has lately
passed through the dark valley.
Pill AnEIPuIl March. 1872.