The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1882-1884, 1883-03-15
ALEX H. STEPHENS.

In the death oftnis scholar. patrlo'
and Statesman. the whole conntr'
feels a great and irreparahle loss
Not a single State mourns his death
but throughout the nation, whers
ever love for ripe scholarship. tru
patriotism and superior Statesman
ship, find place in the hearts OF cit
liens. there is the same kindre feel |
inv of grief and sorrow at tue loss
this great man.
lie was torn in Georgia. on Febrn
airy II, 1872 He served his country
we'll, his native State nnbly. an:
died at the age Of ~. holding the
high. le'ponsible and honored posi-
ton of chief magistrate O.; his Stat,
and that too 10y the largest majoi.
ity ever given to amy man as Govern
or of Georgia. lie served his Stat,
in many POSITIONS of t!ust, having
repeatedly sat in tt Legislative hall
at home, and having made his powe.
felt in the Congress and Senate OF
the United States as often as he went.
He was faithful adherent to tn,
cause of the Union bnt when Gcor.
gi:l seeded, he went with her, an,
was made Vice President of the new
ly formed Gov, rament. which h
served ill Lees surrender. lie re
tired to his home soon to be arrested
and confined i'm Fort Warren, Boston
harbor, where he was kept for severa
months. 1t was while there continec
in the damp prison that he con'rac:
ed the rheumatism which rerdere'
him unable to walk for more than :.
year before his death. Well may his
native State be PROUD oshis memory :;
for his was noble life, such as l,
ever kept in the hearts Of true clti-
zens and those who, like himself.
trust in God and do the right III
his early years he knew what it Wa.
to be in need of friends and money.
But he manlully met the opposing
force Of indulgence, and doubtless ere
his life was fairly begun, he realized.
what many such have at first thought
misfortune. that the struggles Will
adverse circumstances incident to So
many young men only served az pill
lars upon which to build the solid
character and firmly set principles
that made him ever true to himself.
and blessed his country with the
noble examples worthy to he emulat-
ed, both in intellectual attachments.
moral excellence and religious devo.
ton. He was a member of the Pres.
byterian church from his early days.
He received aid from lalies OF his
church in acquiring his education,
graduated from Franklin College a,
the age of 20. dill faithful work a.
teacher for year and half and
repaid the money which hal been
given him, and began from that time
to rise IN the estims ton of the people
which ascent continued till the da,
of hi death. His name is familiar
to every school boy il. the land. Ii
common schools. in Academies, anC
in College Libraries. his History o
the United States finds a welcome
place and its pages are turned am
daily read both as a text and IS :
book of reference. His War between
the States gives thought for tn,
debates Of school boys and cole. :,
students. and is highly appreciate,
by all who give it thorough study
HIS place among his fellows eau no
easily he filed. lie was one of til,
truly great. His days were spent il
serving his country, accumulatin.
and dispensing benevolently to al
who needed bis assistance. lIov
fifty do Longfellow's lines apply:
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime.
And. departing. leave behind us