Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-03-08
THE DEAD STATESMAN.
His Greatness and His Virtues.

His Greatness and His Virtues.
Philadelphia Nelrs.
He was a man of broad intellect, clear
views and positive ideas. He was fairly
entitled to be regarded as a statesman
being we'll versed in the principles OF
craftsmanship and government. He had
many warm friends, even among those
whose political views did not harmonic
with his. Governor Curtin, of this state,
urged his release from military prison,
and Republicans were earnestly favorable
TO him in all social and personal ways.
He was a great man, and Georgia has IN
his death lost its most distinguished
citizen. His death is loss as well TO the
entire country.
Baltimore SHa.
His rare mental powers had been i'm
proved by study and matured by the eX-
perience gathered in public life running
through nearly fifty years. His published
speeches show the extent of his acquire
ments and that he took broad views OF
things. The bent of his mind was towards
conservatism. 1t was this tendency
which led him to- oppose the secession OF
Georgia, although he could not but be
conscious that even his stirring OratOry
and great personal popularity would avail
nothing as against the passion and eX-
element that were then overriding all
prudential considerations. When the die
was cast he went with his State, and from
that time forward continued to serve 1t to
the best of his ability. We know how to
the last day of his life that State hOnOred
him in return, and now that he has died
in harness, there is no living son of Geor-
gia to take the peculiar place so long held
by Mr.. stephens in the affections OF the
people. Such lifelong devotion is rare at
on ffQ1n nd nnQnIa
ChathamI0nce said, coincidence is aplant
of slow growth"
Baltimore Day.
He was essentially one of the people
their interests were his, and all his SYM
pathies were with them. Hence it is not
surprising that he was loved and rever-
enced, not only by the people of his own
State, but of the entire South, and that
they never lost their faith in his single
mindedness and integrity. By many, his
theories were considered tine-spun; but to
this he was indifferent, and moved along
in his calm course, respecting the popular
will and incOrruptibly simple and true.
Numbers Of young men who are now I'LL
ing honorable and lucrative positions owe
their success in life to his kindly efforts ;
tine poor were cared for by him, and the
stranger always received hospitable
welcome at his fireside; and after reach
ing the age of threescOre years and ten he
passed peacefully away, having, in his
own words recently written to friend,
lived with eternity in view and learned
long since to look calmly through the
mists of the river OF death.
Wilmington ~. c., Star.
As leader in the United States House
of Representatives before and since the
war: as Vice President of the Confederate
n (ra0TDIa
author of able works, historical and pO-
liticaI. he was a conspicuous figure in
our country. He was long in politics,
and he died with absolutely clean hands
and with not the faintest breath of sus-
picion resting on his unsp0tted honor.
He was a thoroughly honest man, and
the GeOrgians appreciated him. lie often
voted as he pleased and contrary to party
tests and demands, but he never lost the
confidence of his people. 1t is to their
credit that they understood and appre-
ciated the integrity and worth of the man.
st. Louis Republican.
For nearly fifty years he has been in
public life, and much of the time has been
one of the most prominent characters in
the Union. He had unquestiOned abili-
ties of high order and integrity which
was above all reproach. Considering his
lifelong physical disabilities, his mental
Yigor was marvellous and his industry
something to create constant wonder. He
had hold on the people of his State which
was constant and irreputable proof of
strong and commanding character. He
was not always with the popular current
of Georgia opinion, but was always trust
ed as few men ever have been for so long
a period. A combination of high, per-
sOnal and moral courage, answering in
tegrity, great industry and unflagging de-
YOtiOn to duty constituted his strength
rather than transcendent mental power,
though he was man of broad, vigorous
and discriminating intellect. Mr.. Steph-
ems death is a loss to Georgia and the
country, but loss which could not in the
course of nature have been long deferred.
Chicdgo Tribune.
The prominent characteristics of Mr..
Stephens were remarkable political fore
sight and sagacity, joined to earnestness
of conviction and independence of action.
His attitude before the war towards the
eXpediency of secession and his ready
acceptance of the inevitable after the war
made him many enemies in the South, but
no one doubted his honesty. Though he
had frail and suffering body for years,
he was very cheerful, cOmpaniOnable and
hospitable, especially in his own home,
which he always called Liberty Hall. In
his death the South loses n statesman de-
voted to its best interests, and his own
State a man iwhose place no one among
her people has yet shown the capacity to
fill.
PhiLddelphid Press.
He died as he would probably have
chosen had he been permitted to choose
his time-at the head of his people, in full
fllment of a great mandate. The day Of
his vital value to his State and his cOun-
try had, happily, long since passed; but
none the less his disappearance from the
political activities of Georgia will be a
loss to be sensibly felt for long time to
come. Possessing none of the attractions
of Senator Hill, as man or orator, Mr.. Ste
phens was still man widely recognized
as a safe and necessary factor in the con-
ciliatory and rehabilitatory processes
which Georgia perhaps, more than any
other Southern commonwealth, has set in
motion.
Columbus EnqUirer-SUn.
Were his many noble deeds and COM
mendable virtues to be recorded, it would
fill volumes. His heart was with his
country, and his mind and hands were
vigorous and industrious in promoting
what he deemed its best interests. He
lived not to himself but for others. Truly
cred heads the people of Georgia pour out
their tears as they gaze upon the body
which lies in state at the capitOl-sO cold
and now forever silent.
PhiIddeIpAid bulletin.
The death of Alexander II. Stephens re-
moves one of the leading figures of the