The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-10
WOULD NOT STRIKE
BLOW At THE UNION
Why Stephens Was Not Presi-
dent of the Confederacy
HE REFUSED THE HONOR
Colonel Hamlton's Account of the
Events Leading Up to the Elec-
ton of Davis-stephens
and Toombs.
HE REFUSED THE HONOR
From the New York Sim.

FROM the New York Sun.
Col. David Twiggs Hamilton of Georgia
tells this story Of why Alexander II.
Stephens was not elected president of the
southern Confederacy:
The subject was preached to Mr.
Stephens on the way to MONTGOMERY"
says Col. Hamilton "Mr. Toombs took
the train with us at Crawfordville. and
we found Mr.. Chestnut of South Caro-
Ina aboard. He came over and took the
seat In front of Mr. Stephens and me-
Mr.. Toombs was in the seat behind.
Mr.. Stephens said Chestnut, the
delegation from my state have been con-
ferring and have decided to look to Geor-
gia for a president
" Well, sir Mr. Stephens replied. we
have Mr.. Toombs. Mr.. Cobb, Governor
jenkins and Governor johnson. Either
will suit; I will give my vote to either
We are only looking to you and Mr..
Toombs, Mr.. Stephens Chestnut answer
ed positively. No other names were men,
toned, and the majority of the delega-
ton favor you
No, that can never be, that can never
be- Mr.. Stephens replied excitedly. And
l thought his face turned little pale.
What is it, Alec?" Toombs asked
leaning over the back of our seat
Come over here Stephens told him.
II started to get up to give Toomhs
my seat, but Mr.. Stephens put a hand
on my knee. and Mr. Topmbs took the
place beside Mr.. Chestnut, who repeated
the proposition, very candidly saying that
a majority of the South Carolina dele
cation favored Mr.. stephens
" That settles it, Alec said Toombs.
You are the choice of the Georgia dele
cation; we have talked it over, so you
must let us present your name to the
convention
No repeated Mr.. Stephens. No, I
have not been in this movement I was
opposed to secession. | cannot take any
office under the government. 1t would
not be judiclous. it would not be good
policy to put me forward for any posi-
ton
4" Alec Mr. Toomps began but Mr.
Stephens would not let him speak, so
he laughed and changed the subject.
THAT was the last Of it on the train,
but we hadn't been an hour In Mont
gomery when Willy p. Harris and Col.
A. NJ. Campbell called Harris was the
first spokesman, and he went straight
to the point.
it 4hioSlsSlPpl dtltSdltOi III cltI NOu
for president Mr.. Stephens said he.
And we are come to ask if you will al
low us to present your name.'i
Opposed to Secession.
Gentlemen. | cannot be a candidate
for the presidency of the southern Con-
federacy,' he replied I was opposed to
secession. You mus. eliminate my name
as a candidate for all offices under the
government. It would be bad policy for
you to present my name
Campbell bent forward. listening to
Stephens earnestly. The instant the last
words fell from his tongue he spoke.
You are mistaken, sir! he cried. Tt
would be good policy, the very best
policy, sir. You opposed secession. You
had sc cd reasons weighty reasons, sir.
The whole country-north and south-the
whole world, knows your reasons. You
are the only man to whom the union
lists will give their cordial support. You
are the only man who can take away
from this movement the character of a
rebellion.
Mr. Stephens had by this time recov-
cred from his irritation and appeared
more willing to argue the point.
A." I think you do the unionists injustice,
Colonel Campbell, he replied. While they
earnestly opposed the movement, when
the ordinance Of secession was passed
they bowed to the will of the majority
and have all expressed their determine
tion to sustain and defend their state
You understand of course that I
speak only of the party in my own state.
7 am told that the union feeling was
not so strong in Mississippi. Conditions
are doubtless different with you
No. about the same about the same
Col Campbell reioined. The union feel
Ing is Just as strong. though their votes
are not so numerous as they We're when
they elected Henry s. Foote and defeated
Je.4 Davis for governor.
They acted in Mississippi Just about
as they did in Georgia. They declared
their willingness to sustain and defend;
but for success in this movement we
must have their enthusiasm.
We need, and must have, the en-
thusiastic support of the unionists of the
southern states. 1t is our hest policy.
lIr Stephens, and you are the best man
for furtherng that policy, sir
After arguing for about two hours
they got him to the point of saying he
would consider, then very wisely with
drew.
Chiffon and McRae Called.
1.-THE next day Judge Chiffon and Colin
McRea of the Alabama delegation called