Biographical Sketch of Linton Stephens; Containing A Selection of His Letters, Speeches, State Papers, Etc.

Atlanta: Dodson & Scott, 1877. First Edition. Leather bound. Very good. Presentation copy of the Biographical Sketch of Linton Stephens, edited by James D. Waddell, inscribed by his brother, Confederate Vice President Alexander H. Stephens.. Octavo, [6], 434pp. Modern brown morocco, decorative raised bands, red morocco label with title in gilt. Marbled endpapers. Includes half title and frontispiece portrait. Clean text throughout, faint splash mark to fore-edge, no impact to text. Bookplate on front endpaper. Solid text block. Inscribed on the second free endpaper: "To Rev. J. N. Heaton, D.D. / with the kindest regards of Alexander H. Stephens / Liberty Hall / Crawfordsville, Ga / 4 Oct. 1879." Georgia Supreme Court Judge Linton Stephens (1823-1872) was close to his older brother, Alexander H. Stephens, who served as vice president of the Confederate States of America from 1861-1865 and later became the 50th Governor of the State of Georgia. Prior to joining the Confederacy, Stephens served as a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Georgia. Stephens advocated against secession throughout his political career, but after Georgia seceded and he became vice president of the Confederacy, he gave his now famous Cornerstone Speech in March 1861, in which he defended the fundamentals of slavery.