Births on February 11

Alexander H. Stephens, American lawyer and politician, Vice President of the Confederate States of America (d. 1883)

Alexander H. Stephens: A Pivotal Figure in 19th-Century America

Alexander Hamilton Stephens, born on February 11, 1812, and passing on March 4, 1883, was a prominent and often controversial American politician whose career spanned a critical period in United States history, from the antebellum era through the Civil War and into Reconstruction. He is primarily remembered for his significant, albeit contentious, role as the Vice President of the Confederate States of America from 1861 to 1865, serving under President Jefferson Davis. Following the tumultuous war years, Stephens continued his influential political journey, eventually serving as the 50th Governor of Georgia from 1882 until his death in 1883. A steadfast member of the Democratic Party for much of his career, he also represented the state of Georgia with distinction in the United States House of Representatives both before and after the Civil War, showcasing a remarkable political resilience and a deeply embedded connection to his home state’s political landscape.

Early Life and Ascendancy to National Politics

Alexander Stephens’s foundational education began at Franklin College, which is now known as the University of Georgia, a prestigious institution in the South. Upon completing his studies, he returned to his hometown of Crawfordville, Georgia, where he meticulously established a successful legal practice. This early career as a lawyer not only provided him with a crucial understanding of jurisprudence but also laid the groundwork for his future political aspirations. His political ascent began within Georgia’s state government; he diligently served in both the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Georgia General Assembly, gaining invaluable legislative experience. By 1843, Stephens’s growing influence led to his election to the U.S. Congress, where he quickly distinguished himself as a leading voice among Southern Whigs. During this period, he notably and vehemently opposed the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), aligning with Whig concerns over presidential power, potential territorial expansion, and the inevitable sectional strife over the future of slavery that new lands would ignite. His opposition stemmed from a belief that the war was an unnecessary act of aggression that would destabilize the Union and exacerbate regional tensions.

Shaping Antebellum Debates: Slavery, Compromises, and Conflict

Following the Mexican-American War, Stephens emerged as a crucial figure in national debates surrounding slavery. He became a prominent supporter of the Compromise of 1850, a series of five legislative bills designed to defuse escalating tensions between slave states and free states over the status of slavery in newly acquired territories. While endorsing this complex package – which included California’s admission as a free state, the more stringent Fugitive Slave Act, and popular sovereignty for Utah and New Mexico territories – Stephens was instrumental in drafting the Georgia Platform. This significant document, adopted by a state convention, articulated Georgia's conditional acceptance of the Compromise, warning that any further federal infringement on Southern rights concerning slavery, such as prohibiting its expansion or abolishing it in existing territories, would compel the state to consider secession. Despite this nuanced stance, Stephens remained a staunch proponent of the expansion of slavery into new territories, viewing it as essential for Southern economic and social stability. In line with this conviction, he played a key role in the passage of the controversial Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854. This legislation, which effectively repealed the Missouri Compromise of 1820, allowed residents of Kansas and Nebraska territories to decide on the legality of slavery through popular sovereignty, a principle that tragically led to violent conflicts known as "Bleeding Kansas" as pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers vied for control.

As the Whig Party fractured and ultimately collapsed in the 1850s due to insurmountable divisions over slavery, Stephens transitioned to the Democratic Party. Here, he continued to exert significant influence, notably collaborating with President James Buchanan to advocate for the admission of Kansas as a state under the pro-slavery Lecompton Constitution. This constitution, drafted by pro-slavery factions, was highly contentious and seen by many as fraudulently imposed, designed to ensure slavery’s protection regardless of popular will. It was overwhelmingly rejected by the majority of Kansan voters in a subsequent referendum, further highlighting the deep national schism over the future of slavery and the escalating crisis of sectionalism.

Confederate Leadership and Wartime Dissent

By 1858, despite his congressional prominence, Stephens chose not to seek re-election, a decision that allowed him to focus more on the rapidly intensifying national debate. Even as the nation spiraled towards disunion, he publicly and vocally advocated against secession, believing it to be an unconstitutional and ultimately self-destructive path for the Southern states – a position that stands in stark contrast to his later role. However, once Georgia and several other Southern states formally seceded from the Union and established the Confederate States of America, Stephens was elected as the Confederate Vice President in February 1861, a testament to his political stature and intellectual prowess within the nascent Confederacy. This pivotal role placed him at the heart of the secessionist government.

Perhaps his most infamous public address was the "Cornerstone Speech," delivered on March 21, 1861, in Savannah, Georgia. In this controversial speech, Stephens unequivocally defended the institution of slavery, declaring it the "cornerstone" of the Confederacy. He articulated that the new government was founded "upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery subordination to the superior race is his natural and normal condition." This declaration stands as a stark testament to the ideological underpinnings of the Confederacy, emphasizing white supremacy and the chattel slavery of African Americans as fundamental principles. Interestingly, after the war's conclusion, Stephens attempted to distance himself from these earlier, explicit sentiments, seeking to reframe the motivations for secession.

Throughout the course of the devastating Civil War, Stephens’s relationship with Confederate President Jefferson Davis became increasingly strained. He grew highly critical of many of Davis's wartime policies, particularly the implementation of Confederate conscription – which he viewed as an infringement on states' rights and individual liberties, principles he deeply championed – and the suspension of habeas corpus, a fundamental legal protection. These criticisms highlighted significant internal divisions within the Confederate leadership regarding the balance of power between the central government and the individual states, even during a period of existential conflict. In a final, desperate attempt to end the devastating war, Stephens was one of the three Confederate commissioners who met with President Abraham Lincoln at the Hampton Roads Conference in February 1865. This high-stakes meeting, however, proved abortive, as the Confederate delegation refused Lincoln’s non-negotiable terms of reunion and the abolition of slavery, signaling the war's grim continuation.

Post-War Legacy and Final Political Chapter

Following the Confederacy's defeat, Alexander Stephens was among many high-ranking Confederate officials arrested and imprisoned. He remained incarcerated until October 1865, a period reflecting the Union's initial efforts to hold Confederate leadership accountable for their role in the rebellion. Despite his recent role, his enduring popularity in Georgia led the state legislature to elect him to the United States Senate in 1866. However, during the Reconstruction era, the U.S. Senate, under federal Reconstruction policies aimed at punishing former Confederates and ensuring loyalty to the Union, declined to seat him. This refusal was a clear demonstration of the federal government's firm stance against reintegrating former Confederate leaders into national politics without specific conditions, such as taking an oath of loyalty or demonstrating genuine repentance.

Stephens, however, was not to be sidelined indefinitely. With the gradual shift in Reconstruction policies and the re-establishment of home rule in the South, his political career experienced a remarkable resurgence. He successfully won election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1873, demonstrating his continued influence and the public's willingness to return him to office. He served in this capacity with renewed vigor for nearly a decade, until 1882, when he resigned from Congress. His resignation was prompted by his election as the 50th Governor of Georgia, a prestigious role that brought his extensive political career full circle. Alexander Hamilton Stephens served as governor until his death in March 1883, concluding a life defined by a complex and often contradictory engagement with the most significant political and social issues of 19th-century America. His legacy remains a subject of historical debate, embodying the deep divisions and struggles that shaped the nation during his lifetime.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alexander H. Stephens

What was Alexander H. Stephens’s primary role in the Confederacy?

Alexander H. Stephens served as the Vice President of the Confederate States of America from 1861 to 1865, making him the second-highest-ranking official in the secessionist government.

What was the significance of the "Cornerstone Speech"?

Delivered in March 1861, the "Cornerstone Speech" was a pivotal address by Stephens where he explicitly articulated that the Confederacy was founded on the principle of white supremacy and the institution of slavery, famously calling slavery the "cornerstone" of the new government. This speech remains one of the clearest statements on the Confederacy's foundational ideology.

What was the Georgia Platform?

The Georgia Platform was a resolution drafted with Stephens's significant input in 1850. It conditionally accepted the Compromise of 1850 but warned that Georgia would consider secession if the federal government further encroached upon states' rights regarding slavery, thereby acting as a powerful declaration of states' rights during the antebellum period.

Did Alexander H. Stephens initially support or oppose secession?

Initially, Stephens publicly advocated against secession, believing it to be an unconstitutional and potentially disastrous course of action for the Southern states, despite his strong defense of states' rights and slavery. However, once Georgia seceded, he accepted a leading role in the Confederate government.

Why was Stephens critical of Confederate President Jefferson Davis during the Civil War?

Stephens became increasingly critical of President Davis's policies, particularly the implementation of Confederate conscription and the suspension of habeas corpus. He viewed these measures as overreaches of central government power that infringed upon states' rights and individual liberties, principles he deeply championed even within the Confederacy.

What happened to Alexander H. Stephens after the Civil War?

After the war, Stephens was imprisoned for a period. Although elected to the U.S. Senate by Georgia in 1866, he was denied his seat due to his Confederate past and Reconstruction policies. He later returned to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1873 and served until 1882, when he was elected the 50th Governor of Georgia, serving until his death in 1883.