The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-03-22
ALIEN aNDER II rEPHENS.

10 me Life and Personal characteristics
of the Deceased Statesman.
A notable figure in American and politi-
cal and social life disappeared with the
demise of Alexander H. Stephens. Those
who have only read his speeches or whose
observation of him was limited to the House
of Representatives are unacquainted wiz
the most entertaining features of his life
and character. 1t was at home or in the
social group that he was most impressive.
The Nation remembers him as the man who.
one evening in December, 1860. stood before
the Legislature Of Georgia, az Milledgeville,
with argument and appeal, watch
will 20 down into history, against seces.
sion from the Union. AS Vice Presi-
dent OF The ConiedsJa'e States be is known
to have been conservative AID ever anxious
for peace. He it vas who urged the Hsmo-
ton Roads Peace Commission-the confer
ence held between the Confederate commit
of which he was chairman, and President
Lincoln. When the Union armies had trI
umphed and Mr.. Stephens was advised by
friends TO leave the country he declined say
ing be would prefer hanging in his own
country tc natural death in any other. He
was incarcsrsted for months in Fort Warren,
off Boston Hsrbor. Ia 1875 he returned to
seat in Congress which he had occupied,
continuously. from 1911 to 1860, and served
until 1892 when he beca ne Governor of
Georgia, which trust he was filing when be
died in 1888.
So much every reader knows Of Alexander
%
Sage Of Liberty Hall" Perhaps all remem-
Der, too, that he was never married, and
many have read. doubtless, of his physical
decrepituGe. When first knew him his
tall, spare figure was erect and his dark hair
unfrosted. But later, the elects of his i'm
prisonment at Fort Warren, he was drawn
by chronic rheumatism, and after 1872,
when large gate threw him from his
clutches and fell upon him, he was cripple
and his figure bent.
"Liberty Hail." Mr.. Stephens home
throughout the last forty years OF his life,
was an unpretentieus single-story cottage,
seated deep in a grove, 800 yards distant
from the railroad station at Charlottesville. q
village midway between Atlanta and Au-
| gusta. The half dozen commodious rooms
were plainly though comfortably furnished,
and had wide, old-fsshioned freplsces. Few
homes ever dispensed more hospitality.
There being no hotel in the village, Mr.,
Stephens hundreds of visitors from all part:
of the Union were his gaests while tarrying
It was here that Stephen A. Douglas and
Herscbel Y. JOHNSON. candidates on tbs
came ticket for President and Vice Presiden
in 1850, met for conference. Lawyers at
tending the half yearly sessions of the Cir
cult Court filed the house. On these oc
casioHs Liberty Hall" could boast evening
gatherings of signal brillisncy. For many
years such lights as Herschel V. Johnson
Robert Toombs, William II. Crawford
Charles ]. jenkins, Joseph Henry Lump
kin and Judge Linton Stephens were, simul
taneously. its guests. What a rare treat i
was on any OF these evenings, after wits
was abandoned, to hear Robert Toombs AM
Mr.. Stephens run counter in conversation
The former massive Of head and figure, gil
and giittering of speech. with the inverte
end Of an unlighted cigar between his teeth
would pace the floor. while the attsnuate
} man In the easy chair. With foot nervousl
ratting the floor, would puff ut his clay pip'