Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-03-07
Alexander II. Stephens.

Governor Alexander II. Stephens Of Georgia
died at midnight Saturday after brief illness,
resulting from severe cold contracted while at
tending the sesquicentennial at Savannah, Feb
ruary IL He was born In Taaferro county, Ga,
February ii. 1872. He was left an orphan at the
age Of fourteen, but friends afforded him the
means OF education, which he eagery improved.
u Is said that he fitted for college In nine months
He was graduated at Franklin College In 1882 and
came to the bar in 1894 In 1896 he was elected
to the lower house Of the Georgia legislature and
remained In that body FIVE years In 1912 he was
elected TO the state senate, and in 1843 ne was
elected representative to congress, tn which po-
sitfon he was regularly reelected until the close
OF the thirty-fifth congress 1850 when he de-
clined reelection. In politics Mr. Stephens was
an ardent wbg, until the breaking Up OF that
party. Viewing the two great parties OF the
country as northern and southern, the latter had
no more able or steadfast supporter In congress
during that period than Mr. Stephens. There
were those whow were more demonstrative and out
wardly aggressive, but his great eagacity and
conservative demeanor made him hundred-fold
more effective. Mr.. Stephens introduced the
resolutions upon the Mexican war which became
a part Of the wing platform, which was one OF the
first steps toward committing that party to the
southern policy 30 fatal to It, In 1850 he sup.
ported the so-caed compromises OF which the
fugitive slave bill was one measure In 1854
when 1t was the southern policy that congress
should no longer legslate upon slavery, as chair
man OF the territorial committee in the house he
was the foremost advocate Of the repeal OF the
Missouri compromise When the supreme court
had decided that the southern policy was c0nsttu-
tional Mr.. Stephens declined a reelection. On
his retirement from congress In 1859 he delivered
a speech at Augusta, Ga, in which he reviewed
the political movements during the nearly quarter
OF century he was In the house, and declared
that the south had gained the victory In every
agitation. "There Is not now" he said "a spot
Of public territory Of the United States over which
the national flag floats where slavery il excluded
by law OF congress, and the highest tribunal OF
the land has decided that congress has no power
to pass such law nor to grant such power to
territorial legislature" lie cautiously favored
the extension Of slavery and indirectly advised
the re-opening OF the slave trade. He admitted
that many OF the leading men OF the south in our
early history were against slavery, but they did
not live under the increasing lights OF religion and
science which taught that to abolish the system
would be " TO reverse the DEGREES Of the Al
mighty" In the presidential election OF 1860
me supported Douglas. Upon the election OF Mr.
Lincoln he openly opposed secession in ech in
reply to Toombs before the Georgia legislature in
November, 1860 The speech was quoted at the
time TO show the Union sentiment In the south.
II was, however; rather an argument against
the policy Of secession; the right he never denied
Mr.. Stephens was elected to the state convention
called to consider the question OF seeding, and
both spoke and voted against the ordinance, but
when 1t was adopted he went with the majority
into the movement. On the 9th of February,
1861, he was made provisional vice president OF
the Confederacy. Soon after he was sent as
commissioner TO the Virginia legislature, then
wagering betw cen the Union and the Confeder-
acy, Tor the purpose OF urging that state to join
the new republic. On his way he made speech
at Savannah In which he announced that the
old Union was based upon liberty and equal
rights, which was sandy foundation" Our
government" he added, "is the first 10 the his
tory OF the world based upon this great physical,
philosophical and moral truth that slavery IL the
natural and normal condition of the African
race" Slavery he declared to be the "corner-
stone OF the new system. During the rebellion
he was never conspicuous It Is known that he
differed essentially with the Davis leaders He
attempted once or twice to bring hostilites to an
end, and for that purpose was one Of the COM
missioners who came through the federal lines
at Petersburgh, February 3, 1865, and met Presi-
dent Lincoln and Secretary Seward. After Lees
surrender Mr.. Stephens returned to his home In
Georgia, but was arrested May IL, 1865, and sent
TO Fort Warren, where he was kept until October
following, when he WAS released on parol. He
was pa1doned by congress and was elected to the
national congress in 1872, 1874 1876, 1873 1890
resigniDg last summer to accept the office OF gov
ernor. His action and influence have been very
conservative and conciliatory often denouncing
the course OF the democrats and voting against
them In the house. He was on excellent terms
with Presidents Grant Hayes and Garfield. In
personal appearance Mr. Stephens was exceed
ipgly inferior. Small of stature, so thin as to
remind one OF skeleton, In his best days he
never weighed much over hundred pounds.
For years he has been In the most delicate health;
and he was never the person one would select
for one OF the most remarkable men that the his
tory OF the country presents. He was inaugurated
governor in November last, being elected by an
overwhelming vote, the democrats making him
their candidate to prevent his being supported by
the opposition. Mr.. Stephens always lived sim
ply at his home, which IS called Liberty Hail. and
which, since the settlement of the country has
always been occupied by his ancestors. Mr. Ste
phens was never married.