The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-07-23
WELL KNOWN SOUTHERN
WRITER ON-LIVE TOPICS

| constitution and state rights, while the
other group was led by Alexander Hamil-
ton and John Adams, who were for a
consolidated nation, which ultimately
meant empire or a species of It, They
will learn that Jefferson, tempted by the
Louisiana purchase from Napoleon, was
betrayed into a violation of the written
law and that Patrick Henry who refused
TO sign the document and pointed out this
defect. in his old age, departed from the
faith that he had held. He will learn that
George Mason and John Randolph never
betrayed their principles and were as thew
are historically the onl. consistent Vir-
glnia statesmen. They will learn that
Jenerson's embargo policy turned the in
dustrial supremacy of the union from the
south to the north. They will see how
prophetically Randolph discerned what
would come from all of these gigantic
plumbers. They will see that when tho
north desired in Congress, pending the
civil war; during 1t and In Internal. So
called reconstruction to throw overheard
the constitution" as Thad Stevens ex-
pressed 1t, for the common welfare" as
1t was sectionally interpreted, the politi-
cal opportunists never hesitated to do
so. They will see that this is lust what
President Roosevelt is doing when the
fit is on him today. They will see that
the brilliant sagacious and unhappy
Randolph truly predicted that the sword
would find Its way to the bowels of the
constitution" They will see that in those
earlier days was born the seeds of social
ism which are only too terribly fructify-
Ing at this period. l am indebted to Mr..
7. P. Thompson of New Orleans, a prom
lnent possessor of one of the best private
libraries, for the loan of this book, which
l have profited by. on second reading.
infinitely more than | could possibly have
done in a perusal during boyhood. | APP
prehend that this book is out of print.
but it should be republished and made
text book in every academy or college in
this republic.
AS passed crawfordville, on the Geor-
gia railway, one of the best In the coun-
try, l thought of the many days l had
spent with Mr.. Stephens at his home in
that village. I thought, too, how he had
written in a mental photograph album
that he would rather be hanged in Craw-
fordvile than live in Paris" | thought
how singularly he resembled John RAM
dolph. The Virginia arstocracy and the
Georgian sprung from the yeomanry; but
they had many things in common. Both
at an early period of their lives, were
afflicted with some mysterious physical
disease, which made them beardless and
nA1 81 .aaf 70 eli o1Afr hath
were uncompromising champions of the
rights of the states against the encroach-
ment of federal power; both loved once
and desired to be married and both, from
somewhat similar impediments, were con-
demned to lonely lives Of celbacy; both
were duellists, though they never killed
anybody both were ardent patrons of 9TH
er peoples children and became more than
parents to them; both were tormented
with religious doubts and both settled
upon orthodox belief in the Christian re-
ligion, though members of no church;
Randolph became a Calvinistic- Wesleyan,
whatever that may be- Stephens remained
nominally a Presbyterian, while stating
that there were good things in all
churches Stephens lived to see one
nephew Catholic priest and two nieces
nuns. and he was glad to see 1t. This
was brought about by his brothers second
wife, who was so devout that she was
specially permitted 10 nave tue Dressed
sacrament In her domlcile. But so ignorant
was Mr.. Stephens of the Catholic church
that he once said she was "allowed to
say mass" All through the lives of both
Randolph and Stephens they suffered al
most perpetual physical and mental
agonies, only subdued by their mighty
spirits and wonderful brains. Randolph
had prepared for his memoirs but they
persisted in a confagration of his mansion.
Stephens has left for all time his prophetic
and invincible works in literature. Both
were consummate orators and both had
shrill almost feminine. voices. Both died
literally worn out with disease, the Vir-
ginian at 60 and the Georgian at 70 years.
Randolph made confession of penitence
and faith, imploring Gods mercy on one
so sorely afflicted. Stephens passed away
more serenely trusting to pardon from
the Almighty.