Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-09-30

met his appointments in his chair and
had to be lifted on and from the ros-
trum. But even when in most en-
feebled health, his mental powers
were as powerful as ever, and his elo-
Gucnce unchecked. But when speak
ing he kept q glass of water and spirits
before him, and at intervals, took
sip of liquor Once during an address
in Lexington, when defining democ-
racy, | remember his STOPPING to
raise the glass to his lips, and as he
did so exclaimed, And my fellow
countrymen, this is true democracy"
\ wag in the audience yelled back,
That's so, Alec. Pass around that
brand of democracy. l want to try
it," The retort provoked a hearty
laugh in which Mr.. Stephens Joined.
Mr.. Stephens was quick at repar-
tee. There is an old story that has
been doubted, but I have authentic
information of it's truth. During a
Joint debate between b. H. Hill and
\. II. Stephens, Mr.. Hill, in his sar-
castle manner, turning to his diminll-
tive antagonist, remarked, "The idea
of Little Alec Stephens running
against me. Why If you pin his ears
back and grease him, 1 can swallow
him whole" In n flash, Mr.. Stephens
replied, "Yes, Hill, and you will then
have more brains in your CUTS than
YOU ever had in your head" Mr..
George II. Lester, for many years
clerk of court in Oglethorpe county,
Georgia, and man of unquesuoned
yeracity, told, me that the incident oc-
Cured during a joint debate between
Hill and Stephens ut Lexington, and ne
was present and heard the sarcasm
and rejoinder.
once heard n battle of legal giants
II was the trial of the Dupree will
case at Lexington, and Ben Hill and
Bob Toombs were employed on one
side and 4. il. and Linton Stephens
on the other side. People came from
long distances to hear the arguments,
and standing room in the court house
was at premium.
Mr.. Stephens, on his mothers sidH'
was a Greer of Greer's Almanac tame'
They were in moderate circumstances
but a highly respected people. His
brother, Linton Stephens, was also q
man of exceptional ability but unlike
Alec. was a. man of large statue and
splendid specimen of manhood.
Mr. stephens ambition was to die
in harness, and when in very feeble
health was elected governor OF Geor-
ria, and died during his second term
He was a kindly hearted man and MS
general. granting of pardons~ raiaeSA~.
howl Of protest over the state. 1t was
said that it was needless to convict q
criminal, for all necessary was to send
some woman and little children N
tears to Governor Stephens and Ee
would grant n pardon.
Mr. Stephens left his modest es-
tate to his relatives, but bequeathco
his home. Liberty Hail." as q school
building. and also provided for his old
servants. The home is still used as
a dormitory for teachers and is plain
ly seen from the carjwindows on the
Georgia railway by passengers gong
through Crawfordville. The furniture
in the house is preserved just as left
BY the owner
Mr.. stephens was n Jeffersoniar
Democrat Of the purest brand, and his
life and political record are compar-
able to that of Thomas Jefferson. Hac
\. Fl. stephens lived when the Decla-
ration Of independence was written
his name would doubtless have beer
signed to that document.