The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1909-02-18

cend to the highest point in the politi-
cal world and have the greatest honors
bestowed upon him that the nation
could offer.
In 1843 he was elected to the United
States Congress, where he served unin-
terruptedly until the war broke out
Here he proved to be the equal of any
man on that floor, where the ablest men
of the country were assembled. he
took an active part in all the discus
sions of States rights and slavery that
preceded and brought on the war The
South had no ADLER defender of her
rights in Congress than the frail Alex
ander Hamilton Stephens.
Mr.. Stephens was strong believer in
State sovereignty, and opposed seces-
sion on the ground of it's inexpediency.
When the convention met at Milledge-
vile to consider the advisability OF Sc
cession, he was the champion OF the OPP
position party, but when the other side
prevailed and the ordinance OF seces-
sion was adopted he cast his lot with
his State, thinking his allegiance was
due primarily to his native State.
When the convention met at Mont
gomery, Ala, to form the government,
Mr.. Davis was elected President of the
Confederacy and Mr.. Stephens Vice.
President. Mr.. Stephens was never in
harmony with Mr.. Davis war policy,
and consequently he spent most of his
time at his home in Crawfordville. Mr..
Stephens was in favor of seeking peace
with the Federal government on honor
able terms, and if his counsels had been
considered the South would not have
suffered SO much bloodshed and would
have been spared the decentralization Of
he dark days of reconstruction.
After the close of the war Mr.. Steph-
ems intended leading private life at
his home. During these few years he
wrote several books, the best of which
are 1.-THE War Between the States" and
his History of the United States. F."
He was elected to the Congress of the
United States in 1874 and served until
1880. In 1883 he was elected Governor
of Georgia, and soon thereafter died,
greatly lamented by the people he had
so faithfully served during the trying
years OF his life.
Mr.. Stephens had capacity for warm
friendship. Besides intense love for
members Of his family, there existed
an uninterrupted friendship between
him and Mr.. Robert Toombs. A Sim
liar one existed between him and Mr..
R. III. johnson, his biographer.
Similar to his friendship was his love
for the home Of his youth. He pur-
chased the old homestead and kept it
as long as he lived. His home, Lib
erty Hail." was always open to visitors
Although not an active member OF
the church, Mr.. Stephens was a man OF
unquestionable Christian character. He
Joined the church while in w ashington,
Georgia.
His early struggle with poverty de-
veloped his benevolent nature, and
especially was he interested in young
men and women seeking an education,
struggling with poverty. He assisted
many of them through college.
When Mr.. Stephens died, of course
he was honored with splendid funeral.
His remains were Inferred in the front
yard of his home, in accordance with
his own wish. A splendid monument,
surmounted by his statue and recorded
with the deeds of the man, stands over
his grave. The home and premises
which he loved so we'll were dedicated
to the cause of education. His house
is now the home Of the Principal OF the
school. The home, and likewise the
monument, will finally decay, but the
patriotic and benevolent deeds of Alex.
ander Stephens will never perish.