The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1883-03-10
THE DEATH OF GOV. STEPHENS.
New Orleans Picayune,I

this morning wherever telegraphic
com munication extends, and will be
received with universal regret. This
man has been great beyond the limits
of ordinary human greatness. He has
never forgotten his profession of teach
er, and as lawyer and statesman has
been always an Instructor of the people.
His recent address at the Savannah
sesquicentennial celebration might be
quoted as an illustration Of his plain
speech, full of instruction. ilis speech
es were always plain, and no one could
misunderstood his meaning. His re-
port on the Lecompton constitution
Doth March, 1859 pointed out clearly
that the formation of 4 State contitu-
ton cannot be said to be the highest
act or function Of soverefgnty-a posi-
ton to which one would be likely to
take exception at first blush. His res
olutions on the Mexican war (Fbbrua-
ry, 1870 were so remarkable that they
afterwards formed the platform Of the
Wing party. His large and lucrative
law practice at Charlottesville was
won in his youth almost at a bound.
He was elected to the Georgia Legisla.
ture in 1886, and for five successive
terms, and proved himself then, as
ever, Il great friend Of internal improve
ments. In 1S43 he was promoted from
the State Senate to Congress, carrying,
by 1000 majority, a district where his
party had previously been in u minor
ity OF 5000. He differed with his great
chieftain, Clay, on the question of
Texas, and in conjunction with the
Hon. Milton Brown, of Tennessee,
drew :he resolution for annexation.
He took q leading part in the compro-
mise Of 1850, and 10 his efforts was large
ly due the passage Of the Kansas and
Nebraska act OF 1854. His denuncia-
ton OF those who advocated dissolu.
ton, and his vigorous opposition to the
secession OF Georgia, did not prevent
his Immediate election rs Vice Presi-
dent Of the Confederate States of Amer
lea; and he filled that position with the
same honesty and efficiency which has
marked his entire public career. His
Unconstitutional View OF the War be-
tween the States" is perhaps the most
valuable post-bellum contribution to
history by Southcrncr. He retained
exceptional intellectual clearness to the
close of his long career. Last June tho
Hon. Robert G. Winthrop having con
sented with reluctance to allow his
portrait to be placed in the line OF
Speakers at Washington, the House
was discussing resolution expressing
satisfaction at its reception, wi el Sc
phens, who sat in Congress with him
forty years ago, suddenly recalled the
bold Fourth of July toast which Win
throp sent thrilling through the excited
country in the summer Of 1916, a time
in which threats of disunion We're
made: Soar country, however bound
ed, with whatever limits, is to be
cherished in all our hearts, and defend
ed by all onr arms" a few days ear
lier (June %, 1922 Gov. Stephens
delivered one of the wisest speeches of
his life: "Allow me to say to both
sides Of the House," said he, "that,
except in time of war, these internal
revenue taxes, excise and stamp duties
arc, in my judgment, in principle
anti-Republicau, anti-Democratic and
anti-American. They are in opposi-
ton to the general principles or policy
of this Government, as taught by the
fathers of the republic" And he went
on shortly and sharply to show that
the best way to raise revenue is by
duties on imports, and why, and also
that in that way aid and protection
can properly and incidentally be given
to American industry. Pleading for
the ultimate abolition of the entire
internal revenue system, he said: 81
believe it is wrong in principle and
oppressive in practice" He had the
rare boldness to declare plainly and
without circumlocution, while urging
the abolition of the onerous and unjust
taxes on tobacco, whisky etc: "These
are taxes which come upon the laboring
masses. l would let the burdens of
our Government fall elsewhere than
upon the labor Of the country"
MIR. Stephens was elected Governor
of Georgia last October by the large
majority of G2,35 votes. He was born
in what is now Taliferro county, Geor-
gia, February II, 1872, being only two
or three years younger than Mr.. Glad
stone. His political honors were full,
aud he only lacked, for poctical COM
plctiOn, an admission to. the seat in the
United States Senate tn, which he was
elected in 1866. He was model for
legislators to imitate-simple, plain.
neat, democratic, unprctentious, unas-
Stunning, diligent, honest and wise.
THESlEGE0 OF TICkSRURH.
This is the subject Of a lecture to be
delivered in our city soon by Col. c. c.