The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-02-18
rwO oroa0rAxs.


Ing TO noece anybody or anything about him,
sat down In cushioned chair drew his broad
brim slouched hat over mass Of gray locks
that always go uncombed. champed the I'M
lighted cigar held half Its length concealed be-
tween his lips. and seemed so utterly oblivious
TO the remarks and gazcs that were directed
toward him that one would suppose no had
fallen Into deep rcvere. Fancy him sitting
there his head slightly bent toward his chest
eyes nearly closed. logs crossed one hand
grasping plain gold -headed walking stick
and the other hanging limp over tho knee that
supports his arm. black coat and waistcoat
that reveals beneath his unshaven chin shirt
Of the olden times-that Is. with collar made
to II and fitting close and high up around his
neck. around which Is tied plain black cravat
with the ends hanging down upon his bosom.
and you have view OF Robert Toombs OF
Georgia. Such is the imperous leader OF Sd
cession. and the now rapidly fading remnant
Of unrecons,ructcd Confederacy.
How changed his aspect now from the fiery
and lordly form and face that famed the flame
OF discord into the confagration OF war twenty
yoars ago! For verify believe. no man in tho
South had stronger hold upon his people than
he. and certainly none welded that influence
with more ardor ami vehcmencc. From tho
time when he telegraphed from Washington
to Georgia the appalling MESSAGE Il have
buuiilttcu fTopoSllioHS, anu tucy wore tEcuteu
with defison and contempt. 1t is decisive
against you now. tell you upon the faith Of u
true man that all further looking to the North
for security Of your constitutional rights ought
to be instantly abandoned and secession
Numbered from tho ballot box" Gen. Toombs
has not changed one whit in his estimation OF
the Federal Government He Is sullen and
defiant and will be while life lasts. He will
not become clifton OF the United States, but
declares he lives only for his native Georgia.
and owes allegiance only to her and her in
situations. When asked why he refused the
pardon offered him by the Government, his
wrinklcd face wore look Of scorn as he re-
piled: Pardon me! Why d-n EN-. haven't
pardoned them yet"
He had been seated in the hotel only few
minutes when. rs Is always the case when he Is
in the city. a number OF gentlemen approached
him. saying: How dye do. Gepera?' and
shook him by the hand. Soon circle
OF friends gather around him to hear him
talk and as different topics are brought
under discussion and conversation begun by
some alusion to an incident OF asspeech or
campaign OF some politician. the old fluency
and viyacity return to him. and instead Of a
sour and gruf old man. he proves to DO full Of
mental life and activity.
1t is common sight to see him. flushed with
crowd. eagerly catching every word and occa-
sionally giving forth volley Of laughter at
some queer expression OF vehement profanity.
There seems TO be no limit to the iange OF his
knowledge especially on affairs OF political his
tory and in general relations OF Governments
to each other. Though this remarkable man Is
81 years old and has been drinking hard for
nearly half that time. the power of his intellect
has stood the shock seemingly unimpaired. He
Is wealthy now, and does not care for profess
sional work. yet SO confident are railroad and
other corporations in the accuracy OF his coun-
sci that they seek him at his home in Washing
ton. Ga. and pay princey fees for legal advice
Wonderful combination Of nobleness and de-
pravity! Nearly every sentence Ia embellished
with low and gross profanity. yet his learning.
his reasoning. and the lustre OF a mighty in
tellect command admiration from those who
deplore his infrmities and condemn his reent-
less luminosity toward the United States Gov
eminent. Il deem 1t no honor" said he. to be
u citizen OF that Government which was fool
enough to give to q million Of ignorant and lib
Grated negroes all the rights and privileges Of
American citizens. including the ballot box.
which. when placed in tho reach Of tho low and
ignorant. will overturn any good Government"
But for man to study. for an object to
look at, for q political record to admire. go
to the Executive Mansion and see Alexander
II. Stephens and then muse over his career.
His frail form and wrinkled face" says one
who has been his associate for q long time.
look pretty much as they did some forty years
ago." And it is true. For moro than thirty
years Stephens has been an invalid with
only IL few weeks to live" say the reporters !;
but the faithful servant who carries the plain
little man about the house in his arms says he
feels a little heavier now dan he useter." This
is queer sight to one first visiting him. to see
young negro take the Governor OF Georgia in
his arms and lift him across the street and
into his carriage like q baby. But this ninety
pounds OF bone and flesh mostly bone) has
been through terrific ordeal A poor farmers
boy a college student. school teacher lawyer
Congressman Vice President Of the Confederate
States. author. historian. and Governor. he
has made thousands. was never married. yet
to-day he Is q poor man. barely able to keep up
on his salary. He has given away moro money
and educated more young mon and children
tsome OF them negroesl than any man In tho
South. He has had fortunes offered to him for
atrifiing effort on his part. but refused them
all because he was honest and conscientious.
Calm. thoughtful. and compassionate. he forms
striking contrast with Toombs. who. notwth-
standing his clashing views and divergi ng
policies, has always been the warm and devoted
friend OF Little Alec" While Stephens
pleaded for the Union. Toombs urged It's dis
solution. and when 1t was all over Stephens
fastened to accept the situation In good spirit.
aud has until this dAy labored to restore conf
deace and accord and allay bitterness and hate.
These two men were boys together. and In
the zenith of their manhood were often arrayed
against each other at the bar. Let US adjust
these grave difficulties by methods OF peace"
said Stephens. not by human sacrifice and
flame. This secession Is an act Of madness and
folly designed to overthrow the Government
under which We have been iostered. and Il has
neither my vote nor sanction" Toombs wanted
to trust In the God OF Battles and the blood OF
the brave for security and tranquility" The
South followed the fury Of Toombs. Needless OF
tho cool reason OF Stephens. andilost all.
Frail and aged. Alexander II. Stephens works
ten hours each day. He has st completed q
heightened address to be dc..sered at-tho ap-
abt .s.t. Oh 81