Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-21
A. n. STEPHENS AGAIN
SUGGESTED FOR HONOR

SUGGESTED FOX HONOh
To the Editor OF The Journal:
1t gives me much pleasure to endorse
what DIT. A. G. Beazley. Of Crawford,
Ca. said In his Journal article OF July
Sd in regard to the fitness OF A. III.
Stephens for the Hall Of Fame.
Many things are required to constitute
greatness. Among these are character,
ability, patriotism, frnness. honesty. de-
votion to principles, steadiness OF pur-
pose under great difficulties, kindhearted-
ness, philanthropy. Mr.. stephens pos
sessed all Of these, and many more ad-
mlrable traits.
was he a man Of character7 AS a law
yer he would not take a case unless his
client had justice on his side. He paid
his honest debts. His constituents thought
his character above reproach, because ne
was repeatedly elected to office, to the
legislature, to the state senate, to con-
gress,v to the vice presidency OF the Con-
federacy, to the United States senate.
again to congress. and to the governor
ship of Georgia Mr.. Stephens was elect
ed to the United States senate just after
the war. The main reason for his cleo
ton to this high position was that he was
considered by far the most suitable man
in the state, for It was deemed that pecu-
liar wisdom was needed to guide the state
just at this time. he was chosen. though
Toombs, Hill. johnson. Jenkins. Brown,
Linton Stephens and other distinguished
Georgians were living. That shows what
that legislature thought Of Mr.. stephens.
Was Mr.. Stephens a man of ability?
Yes, this is conceded above all things. he
was first honor man in college. That he
had wisdom, judgment and discernment
his speeches, bills. acts, public and pri-
vate correspondence in congress clearly
prove. That he was a rare statesman
I ..nfa
unquestionably show. That he was hne
author his superb Constitutional View OF
the War Between the States" and his
school History of the United States"
clearly demonstrate. That he was first
class Journalist his writings for the AT
lanta Sun" distinctly show.
Was Mr.. Stephens a philanthropist?
Let the fifty-five young men he educated
answer Let his numerous deeds of
friendship and charity answer. What Is
the meaning OF Liberty Hall7' All were
invited to partake of its hospitality. Mr..
Stephens purse was always emptied for
others. He had opportunities Of accum-
ulating several fortunes. Did he do it,
No. he died a poor man. Ask the darkies
that remember those darkies who lived on
the Stephens place" II he was kind.
They will tell you that he was one Of the
best men that ever lived. There are
few people here who do not revere Mr..
Stephens memory. Why7 Without any
claim at all on him they called on him for
financial assistance, and then fell out
with him because he was not able just at
that time to give II. Does not the fact
that they called on him for help show
that he had made reputation as a pub
lie benefactor7
Was Mr.. Stephens patriotic7 He gave
many noted examples Of patriotism, but
the following one was quite notable. At
the Georgia secession convention at MIL
ledgeville in 1851, he opposed secession as
inexpdient, but not unrighteous, and ad-
vised, urged. spoke, and voted, against IL,
but as the wishes Of the majority Of the
convention were contrary to his. he yield
ed, through love Of hts state, and later
did all he could In her behalf.
One Of the best criterions Of all OF a
mans greatness Is what outsiders think
OF him. It is common TO hear persons not
living In Georgia say that Mr.. stephens
was one OF the greatest statesmen this
country ever produced. These persons
hardly ever stop to compare any other
Georgian, or even modern southerner, to
hiEn but always compare great Ameri-
cans to him. Chambers Encyclopedia,
strictly an English work, gives quite a
complimentary sketch of Mr.. Stephens,
but does not mention any other man born
in Georgia, except John G. Fremont. The
American Educator produced almost
entirely by northern people. devotes more
space to Mr.. Stephens than TO any other
Georgian, and he and General Ogiethorpe
are the only men who ever lived in Geor-
gia that have pictures In it--full page
pictupes. at that. Stonewall Jackson, for
instance, is represented in Il by a small
cut. The Dictionary OF United States
History" a northern book gives more
space to Mr.. Stephens than to any other
Georgian.
Mr.. Stephens is often referred to as the
Great Commoner." AS William Pitt was
the Great Commoner" Of England, so
was Mr.. Stephens the Great Commoner"
of the southern states. Perhaps no title
could be more honorable, and Il is uni
versally admitted in this section that It
was deserved.
H. F. WHITE, NJ. D.
Crawfordville. Ga