Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-03-06

IHE death OF Alexander H. Stephens is a
loss that all the States will acknowledge
His career is one only possible under our
system Of free government. Like Lincoln,
johnson, Andrew Jackson, and many others
OF the men who left their mark upon
the times in which they lived, Mr.. Stephens
was self-made. His origin was not
only humble but he iabored under the dis
advantage additional TO his poverty of being
fatherless and motherless at an early and
tender sge. Incre asing these difficulties and
intenslfying his anxieties, he was afflicted BY
physical inGrmity which made life bur-
den through all bis days, imposing upon
him as 1t did the closest attention TO the
laws of his being, aud often interfering
to prevent the full display of mental powers
whose fruits as it is are simply amazing
dis lie affords the most astonishing example
oil will power. Early in life, before he had
yet begun the career every step in which
challenges admiration and respect, hs made
up his mind that he was liable 10
die at any moment, and he resolved
to make the most of every hour, and
to find in patient study and careful reading
compensation for the distressing weak
ness nature had put upon him as life
long burden. Looking back through the
vista OF years between that day of helpless
but not hopeless boyhoo5, and that when he
yielded up the spirit which so often obstin-
ately and victoriously battled with death,
we ind series of triumphs in public
life that cannot be matched by auy
other OF the men whose names we will not
willingly let die. He achieved his first VIC
tory in suit which he fought single-handsd
and alone, and against all The best lawyers
OF Crawfordsville, his appearances and his
voice being both againat him, and he attract
ed attention aflerward as a member of the
Legislature of Georgia by the advocacy of
the construction of the Western and Atlantic
road, his thin voice and weird, almost
uucanny appearances lending a telling help
In impresslng an argument that was con.
ceded 10 be unanswerable. His success was
unparalleled, and he lesped at once into
coDspicuity and public favor. Four years
sfIer-in 1843-he was elected to Con-
gresH, and thereafter was among the leading
men of a State that before the war es-
pecially, was rich in public men, in great
thiakers and able speakers, in trained
statesmen who made Georgia conspic.
uous on the rolls of the National
Legislature. A Wing and sfterward
Democrat, Mr.. Stephens never was in
the partisan sense a party man. He
was pure, good man, who loved
the truth and followed where it led.
Ga this account he was often misunderstood.
But as years passed away the fidelity and
steadiness of his career within the lines OF
his convictions became more apparent, SO
much so that in 1859, when he gave
up public life and retired to Liberty
Hall, the members of the House and Senate,
without regard 10 party, the vice-president
of the United States at their head, rendered
him public dinner as a testimonial OF their
appreciation of his nprightness of life and of
their admiration for a man who had risen
euPtiiOA " ~ hduy OuStdCics, anu lu tHcHiJ
years had earned for himself the distinction
OF universal praise. But be was not per-
milted thus 10 close with the public. The
stormy and passionate political canvass
which preceded the civil war COM
msnded his attention and compelled the
exercise OF his abilities, and after thatthere
came the secession of the S ates, against
which be battled with all his splendid pow
ers in vsin. His speech for the Union was
one OF the most remarkable of the many great
speeches that st that time arrested public
attention. He spoke with all the fervor
OF his nature, yet when the alternative of
he, did not hesitate, but threw himself
with equal warmth into the scales
for the Southern COniederacy. His elevation
10 the vice presidency of the new government
was an admission of the place he held in the
public esteem and of HE pre-eminent and
Commanding abilities as statesman. After
the war, released from prison, he entered
political life again and soon won the al
VI even MS r.
publican opponents. His recent elevation
to the gubernatorial chair of Georgia was
the last proof OF their love the people he
served 30 faithfully could confer upon him,
and his last speech at Savannah, on the oc-
casion of the ses qui centennial celebration
of the settlement of Georgia, was the
outpouring of a heart that was always
young aud overlooking with happy thoughts
for the people of his native State. Generally
successful in the attainment of his ambitions,
we will not be understood as indorsing Gov
Stephens as generally correct. His life as it
hiss closed challenges our admiration and
respect, and in presence of the dead we
cannot stop to mark the occasions
of difference, divergence or disapproval. He
was an American of whom all his country
men can feel proud, a statesman by whose
wisdom, prudence and guidance they have
often pro6!ed, citizen who was a singular
example of independence and self.will, and
a man who had all the spirit, high intelligence
and mental power of the greatest, rising
superior 10 the Infrmilies OF crippled and
p.inracEsd hodv To fha South ba was