Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-10-10

and craftsmanship of the men who
constituted it. but an everlasting refu-
tatioR OF the eharges4whieh have been
brought against them, Mr.. Ste
phens, in association with others, had
the distinction OF being an author; his
sturdy signature serving to authenti-
cate its time-honored provisions soon
followed the unanimous choice Of our
worthy as%vice president of the new
born Gonfederacy; his illustrious CO.
adjutor in the headship of nation
which ross SO white and fair, and fell
so pure of crime" being President
JEFFERSON Davis. Formally inaugurated
on the 18th of February, 1851, he. en-
tered with earnestness upon the dis
charge OF the duties OF his important
task, his able administration Of his
most responsible trust winning golden
plaudits for the brilliant Georgian.
About four years later, or early in Jan
uary, 1865, he had the hoHpr of being
identified with the memorable Hump
ton Roads peace conferences On that
distinctive but unprofitabIe occasion.
Vice President stephens, Hon r. n. T.
Hunter a former Confederate secreta-
nv of state, and Hon. John A. Camp
bell, who WAS assistant Confederate
secretary OF war, ably represented EN-
battle and sorely -smittsn Dixie, while
President Lincoln and Mr.. Seward, the
premier of the Federal cabinet, stern
iy championed the claims Of the al
most triumphant north. Some three
months thereafter came the lamented
fail of Richmond, and the dislntegra-
ton of the Confederate government,
and soon the fateful news Of peerless
Lees AppomattoK surrender plunged
his adoring section in the deepest
gloom. Several weeks later, or on the
nth of the ensuing May, our accom-
pfshed ssilbject was arrested at his
home in Crawfordville, he being cons,
fined for the space OF, five months,
within the grim walls OF Fort Warren
In Boston Harbor, as a prisoner OF
own parole. on the 18th OF the seuHent
October, he returned to Georgia, and
from the first be earnestly endeavored
to adapt himself to the changed reia-
tIons, and to the new conditions of af-
fairs In proof of his conscientious ef-
forts insthis regard, we have hia force-
full reconstruction speechl Of Febrp-
airy, 20, 1856, Ia which he submlt tied an.
eloquent plea for the recently emerged
freedmen. Almost centenpo raneously
with its delivery came his unselieitea7
elevation to, the United States senate.
From the honor as conferred, however,
] was denied Athe privilege Of taking his
official seat at5WashiDgton. gsi ~
About the middle OF April 1855. Mr..
Stephens was summoned before the
reconstruction COMMITTEES of congress
for the purpose OF testifying in regard
to the existing status in the south, ana
the disposition of its COURAGEOUS peo-
oie. his evidence as then submitted,
clearly showed the anxiety OF Dixie's
Inhabitants for the restoration Of or
der and lust government; and IL. more
over, emphasized their heartfelt de-
sire to return to the unlon, and their
unwaverfng determination TO ABIDE, IN
GOOD faith. by the results Of the war.
I toward the close Of 1861, he published
the first volume OF his MagnuTn Opus
A Constitutional War Between the
! states: and some two years and q half
Thereafter. or In the spring OF 1870. the
second or concluding volume Of that
3 magnificent work was given 70 the
Z world. Later on in the last-mentioned
year, he conceived the idea OF writing
a school history of the United States,
his labor being successfully accom-
sJlsa,sls in r1gTIl co.fneidentfy with its
completIoh. cur subject 1nstructedsa
law class as a means OF support, and
became In a large measure, the pro
nrietor of The Atlanta, Georgia, sun.
frhgs newspaper was printed chiefiy
with a view to the defeat or Horace
C$reefev for the national presidency:
but inasmuch as the publication m
question proved d financial failure and
exhausted the profits of his books. IN
January or February, 1873, ne again
presented himself as q handidate for
a seat in the federal senate. While he
was disappointed as 10 his chetished
hone, his political ambition was a few
years later rewarded through his tri-
liuphant election to congress-. Among
the speeches whereWfth he signhiized
his second incumbency in the lower
house at washington, was that peliy-
cred on the 9Th OF January. 1878, IN
fofceful contraventioh to the evil
rights bill Another OF his effecttve
efforts at this time was launched ia
direct opposition to the repeal fof the
Increase in the congressional salary
act! In the ITayes-T ilden contest be-
fore the electofal commission in jan
uary. 1877. our subject advocated going
behind the returns, and setting aside
those of Florida and Louisiana, IN
which the frauds had been most ma
grant He utterly diseountenanced.
however all resorts to force for the
purpose of seating Mt. Tilden: and
when it became known that the coIns
mission had favored Hayes limits de-
cision, ne promptly accepted the YER
dict as announced, and remarked. We
had a first-fate' case, but we lost 1t by
imperfect pieadfngs.' - ''s-a'-N
Mr.. Stephens superb impromptu out
burst at the unwilling of F. b. Car
penter's painting, The signing Of the
Emancipation Probation" in Februa-
ny, 1878, brought him praise from all
quarters; and an old admirer proposed
that his crutches be sent to congress,
to take the place Of their eloquent
owner, when the latter was no longer
able to participate ia Its deliberations.
Speaking of eFutches, we take odcas-
ion here to state that throughout his
long. and valued life he was victim.
to many painful Illnesses, ana his ex-
teeedingly frail constitution was sub
jeeted to ,neYer-ceasing suffering. In
1869 he was sorely Frustrated by an at
tack Of acute infiammatory rheuma+
tism, and. as. consequence, from
then on and until the lamented close