An official who looks after the soldiers.
It refreshes one occasionally to find an official who seems to show an interest in the poor shot and wounded soldiers of the army. Such a man is the Vice President, Alexander H. Stephens. Let him be honored for it! Fragile as he is physically, his rounds to the hospitals are unremitting. He goes through them all, and to this one a kind word to another some little delicacy give proof of warm, Southern heart, and his interest in the defenders of this country.‘"There goes Stephens to some hospital"’ is a common remark along the street, as he is getting his packages for the sick in various parts of the city. Without ostentation or pretension, he has been quietly pursuing his noble labor for weeks; and who can say how many hearts his cheering words have ‘"bound up"’ Who can say with what yearning the poor victims of disease look for his almost daily visits of solace and encouragement?
It may be, that some may think it patriotism to decry Mr. Stephens, but the masses of the people, as well as of the army, know the man — his profound wisdom, and his true heart. The instincts of the popular heart always find the good and the true; and in these Confederate States there is no man, this only, who has more completely the confidence of the people. Thousands and tens of thousands have, at times, opposed him from party considerations; but through all the region in which he is known thoroughly, no man commands more respect and affection.
Mr. Stephens seeks not notoriety, or newspaper commendation. Less than almost any public man we know, does he depend on anything but genuine ability and patriotism to make his fame. He works silently, and most ably, in his allotted sphere. It is fortunate for the Confederacy that it possesses in him one so competent, in case of any casualty to our Chief Magistrate, to fill the first office under the Government.
