Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-03-27

Letter to Cincinnati Commercial Gazette.I
During Mr.. Stephens's Congressional
service, and pending the campaign Of
lS4S, he returned from Washington to
Georgia. He was fresh from the great
debates on the acquisition Of California
and New Mexico as United States Terri
tories, and for having taken, against the
wishes of a majority of the Southern
a most prominent part in OPP
position to such acquisition, he was met
with much adverse criticism. Judge
Cone, who was at the time one of the
leading politicians of Georgia, was par
severe in his comments upon
Mr.. Stephens's action, and was reported
As having publicly denounced him as a
traitor to the South.
Hardly had Mr.. Stephens reached his
nome when these and similar reports
were conveyed to him. AT first he did
not credit them, but as one kind friend
after another informed him that Cone
lad called him q traitor and advised, in
he true Southern spirit that he owed it
% himself to demand what is called
: satisfaction" the fires Of pugnacity in
lis nature, which were always shoulder
ng, Kissed up, and he declared that if
Judge Cone would admit having called
aim a traitor to the South he would
: slap his face Not long after this he
net the Judge at a numerously attended
Wing gathering, and going up to him
quietly said:
Judge Cone, have been told that
'ou, for reasons of your own, have de-
bounced me as a traitor to the South, and
take this opportunity of asking you if
uch reports are true"
"No, sir" was Cones reply, "they
ire not true"
a am very glad to hear you say so"
aid Stephens, cordially; "of course, |
10 not desire to be in any way offensive
o you, Judge Cone, but in order that we
nay have no further misunderstanding
trough the misrepresentation Of others,
think it right to tell you that have
aid l would slap your face if you ad.
nitted having used the language attrib-
tied TO you"
Upon this the Judge again disowned
laving spoken disrespectfully of Mr..
stephens, and so for the time the affair
nded. 1t was the subject Of discussion
Il over the State, however, and the gen.
raj verdict was that Judge Cone, very
'owerful man by the way, had shown
he white feather to Little Aleck Ste
hens" In such community no public
nan resting under such charge could
ope. either for political preferment or
opular respect. Cone, of course, knew
his, and, very much heated and annoyed
y the comments which were being made
pom him, wrote to Mr.. Stephens de-
handing an immediate and public re-
-ac,ion Of the threat. In reply, Mr..
tephens wrote that the threat Of slap
ing the Judges face had been made
ontingent upon the truth of reports re-
arding which he (Mr. Cone had pro-
ounced to be untrue, and that such be-
ig the case there could be no cause for
fence or angry feeling on either side.
Unfortunately this letter was never re-
eived by Judge Cone. Three or four
avs after it was written, however, he
let Mr.. Stephens on the piazza Of no.
i in Atlanta, and disregarding that gen.
eman's friendly greeting, said in very
fensive tone:
"Mr. Stephens, | demand that you
lake an immediate retraction of your
nreats regarding me-"
Sick and weak though he was, Alex
nder H. Stephens could allow no one
D speak to him in the fashion described.
Judge Cone was a very giant in size and
muscular development, yet the frail man
,hom he addressed, with aggravating
and without hesitating mo-
lent, replied: " Pardon me, sir, l have
lready written you on that subject. l
lust decline to discuss it further"
Gam to take this for your answer"
sked Cone, excitedly.
cit is the only answer l have to give
ou," was the calm reply"
"Then l denounce you as miserable
tile traitor" cried Cone, mad with
xcitement. The last words had hardly |
1T his lips when light cane, welded
y the quick hand of the man whom
e had insulted, left red scar across his |
heck.
Wild with pain and passion, without
ttering word, he drew a keen-pointed
irk knife and made one furious thrust at
is weak little adversary's heart. In
family as he did so, however, Stephens.
eizino a stout umbrella which he held in |