The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-04-17
lIEE DAILY AHGUs.
Alexander n, se,1l1sas.


IN the death OF Alexander III. Stephens
the State Of Georgia loses one of her
most 1dolized sons, and the nation one
OF It's most remarkable men, The life
or Governor Stephens reads like q ro-
nance. He was born OF poor parents.
had little schooling before lie WAS Twelve
years of age, and his father died before
he was fourteen. Learning was the ey-
eeptian where lie lived ignorance the
rule. The poor whites generally were
unable to read. Yet young Stephens
resolved to be educated. He fitted him
sell for college, and By the time he was
twenty was graduated from the Georgia
University. Then for year or two he
taught school until he had repaid the
sums borrowed for his college expenses.
lie resolved to study law, and did SO
Almost his first case established his
lame rs IN advocate. 1t was in regard
ID the custody of a child Stephens
vas for the mother; the other side for
The wealthy grandfather, Tie more suit
able guardian, As The testimony proved.
Bat the young advocate made so elo-
quent a plea for the mothers rights
that he Won the case Efoduence at
that time was the touci1-stone OF power
IN the South. Immediately, in 1886, at
the age OF twenty-fonr Mr. Stephens
was elected To the Legislature OF Geor-
gla. There he continued until 1912,
when he was sent to the State Senate
In 1913 he was sent to Congress, where
he served continuously until 1859 Al
though not q sccessionist, he went
otlt with his state and was made Vice
President of the Confederaey. for the
sake OF coneifiating the conservative in-
huence. No sooner was the war over
than he was reelected 10 Congress
The first time he declined although his
disabilities were among the first remoy-
ed, In 1873, however, he came back to
the Senate, where he remained until
last year when he was elected Governor
of Georgia.
During much of this forty-six years
of public life mir. Stephens held opin-
ions opposite to those held at the time
by a majority of his constituents; but
in the end he generally proved to be
right Whatever the differences. they
never endangered his personal popular
ity. even in the heated times of seces-
sion. His integrity and courage were
well known, and he was idolized by the
people as few men ever have been.
Georgia was a rough country when
young Stephens first entered its public
life. A man had to be as ready to fight
as to speak, and for neither purpose
must he stand for a convenient time
Stephens was very small In youth he
may have weighed 12j pounds, but in
later kfe it fell to 1O5 and even ninety
and less The writer first saw Mr.
Stephens IN 1860, when he spoke at Ma
con. Ga, with Stephen A. Douglas
who was canyassing the South in be-
half of Mr.. John Bell, the union candi-
date for the presidency. Douglas was
thick set. sturdy, strong and somewhat
pompous. There was little enthusiasm
Tor him. Stephens was small. about
five feet two, very slight perfectly
smooth face, the skin discolored like
that OF an old woman; n shrill. piping
voice, and ewes that burned like coais.
1t was n SIGHT to see and to hear the
enthusiasm of that crowd for Little
Aleck, > as he WIS universally Called in
Georgia. They were even willing 10
stand Douglas aud hear secession an
nonnced for the mere sake. Of gazing at
Little Aleck.o and hearing his witty |
and convincing words. 1t was this
singular combination of eloquenee.
craftsmanship, indomitable courage.
and the weakness of an invalid. to- |
gether with his long record of successes |
which gave Alexander Stephens a higher /
place in the.Southern heart than any |
man has h3ld there since John-C. Cal |
houn. Stephens represented no great |
public movement in particular, bat he /
was essentially Il statesman. an orator, |
4 public man of unimpeached integrity, |
and i'll private life u scholar and a
gentleman. He was as completely u
man as Benjamin Franklin; |
yet So long and SO high was his public
life that men count him for one OF the |
This was the great soul |
that passed away II Atlanta. chicago |
EIlal.ltIl