The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1893-05-30
ALEXANDER H. STEPHENS.
A MONUMENT To THE GREAT
COM MoNER OF GEORGIA.


Ex-senator Norwood.
thousands of patriotic Georgian,
wore assembled at CrawfordvilIe OF
Wednesday last, to witness the unveil
8 In { of the monument recently erected
to Alexander III. Stephens, the great
commoner Of that State. Liberty
Hall, the home of the renowned states
man, was the greatest point of interest
to the visitors, and they ransacked the
old building from top to bottom. It is
estimaled that five thousand people
were in attendance upon the cere-
monies. 'fne opening prayer was
made by Rev. DIR. Barrett. of Atlanta,
anu Hon. Patrick Walsh, of Au.
gnsta. in "A brief and forcible speech
introduced the orator of the day, Hon.
Thomas M. Norwood, Of Savannah. =
The monument %as unveiled at the
conclusion of the a3 .rress, and the veil
was lifted by Miss Mary Cory, a
grand-niece of Mr.. Stephens. On one
side of the monument is the following
tribute from an old friend, Col. Rich
ord Malcolm Johnson, which is beauti-
ful and appropriate:
Throughout life q sufferer in body,
mind and spirit, he was q signal ex-
ample OF wisdom, courage, fortitude,
patience, forbearance and unwearying
charity.
lin the decrepitude of age called to
be Governor of the State, he died
while in the performance of the work
of his office, and it seemed fit that,
I having survived parents, brethren, sis
sters and most Of the dear companions
OF youth, he should lay his dying head
upon the bosom of his people,"
The oratiop of Mr.. Norwood was
chaste and eloquent, and warmly re-
ceived by the multitude. AS it gives
a clear insight to Mr.. stephens life
and career, we print the address in
full:
We come neither to praise him nor
to bury tho great commOner of the
republic. What of him was mortal
has long been given back to earth, and
what was spiritual needs no eulogy
from us. His fame, like the question
of Caesars death, is enrolled in the
capitol and the capitol covers the con-
tinent. These red hills echo and re-
ecno his name and a thousand groves
are. in part its sanctuaries. Where
ever he addressed the multitudes-and
the muititudes followed him as he
journeyed-he left undying memories,
and the people wondered and many
said: Never man spake like this
man." And this was a true saying.
For take him for all in all we shall
never look upon his like again." And
his like the world had never seen be-
fore. This is no extravaganza of
eulogy; no compliment pardonable
only IN an epitaph. 1t is unvarnished
truth.
l repeat. that in all the tide of time.
history gives no record Of any mortal
whose physical and intellectual combi-
nation was comparable to that of Alex
ander Hamilton Stephens. Wherever
he first appeared-w whether on the
hustings, in the forum. or in delibera-
tive bodies-his personnel aroused sur
prise and disappointment in every be-
holder; but when he spoke the people
marveled at his power and wisdom.
With stature of near six feet in
height, at no age of life did his weight
exceed hundred pounds. Pale and
sallow, he seemed to be q boy of l8
years until attained miudle age,
when envious time began to furrow his
beardless cheeks.
Nor at any time was his health ro-
bust. while for the last twenty years
confirmed invalid. So feeble and at
tenuated in form was he it seemed as
if every day would be his last And
yet for the first thirty years of his
manhood his physical endurance under
constant labor was not surpassed by
that OF any other man engaged in
similar work. In the most heated and
active political campaigns he seemed
never to be fatigued. In fact, in the
fiercest of political contest he gath
cred strength, as the eagle rises higher
said of himself: 81 am like kite /;
soar only in the rage of u gale"
He was a signal exception to the
theory that great intellectual power is
combined with strong physical de-
volopment AT no time did his
strength exceed that of a boy of four
teen years. Such was the physical
man Alexander Stephens.
: But what is to be said when we turn
to contemplate his intellect? 1t is not
saying too much to assert that at the
bar, on the hustings and in the legisa-
tive halls no man in America has ever
achieved greater renown. He was
never defeated in any contest before
the people. In the gladiatorial field
bls career was more remarkable than
that OF any other statesman of America.
l will not consume time before his
neighbors and champions in recounting
his continuous triumphs. Henry Clay,
ip-a, great speech delivered to his con-
stituents, began by saying: "Forty
years ago pitched my tent on yonder
hili, anu you, anu you. anu you, UOOR
me by the hand and made me what
am" TO you who took this homeless
orphan by the hand when. he pitched
his tent On that now famous hill and
helped to raise him to his high emil
nence. 1T would be presumption in me
to narrate his wonderful career.
His bOyhoOd was unmarked by any
events or incidents of special interest.
His parents " ere poor and this lad had
T, to undergo the hardships and depriva-
tions incident to poverty. But the
precious jewel OF his head shone with
such brilliancy that 1t attracted the at
tention Of some friends of wealth, who,
with view to secure his powers for
the pulpit. sent the boy at their own
expense to the University of Georgia
to take the regular course for gradua-
tiOn. For reasons, best known to him
self, he preferred the law to theology
and. after graduation, began the prac-
tice as soon as he could be admitted to
the bar. With his power of analysis.
his legal acumen. his tenacious memo
ry. his studious habits, his fuency and
entrancing oratory, he rose rapidly ut
the bar, and his fame soon covered the
State.
Within less than four years after he
was admitted to the bar, his ability as
a lawyer and debater convinced the
voters of this county that their inter
cts should be committed to his keep