Linton Stephens to his brother, Alexander H. Stephens
JACKSON, TENN., SUNDAY, October 21, 1860.
DEAR BROTHER—You may be surprised to learn that I am in Tennessee, but you have possibly heard already that I had gone to Illinois. I got Judge Wright and Bob Sims both to fill my place in Murray, and started from Atlanta to Centralia last Friday morning. It had rained nearly all the night before, and continued to rain until we got to Chattanooga. Within a half mile of the depot, at Chattanooga, our engine ran off the track. We would have lost the connection but for the Memphis train waiting for us. They had, however, already waited so long that they could not wait for us to get supper; and as I was quite hungry, and didn’t relish the prospect of riding all night without eating, and as I furthermore didn’t like to pass through the region of land-slides and impending rocks in such a wet and dark time, I staid all night in Chattanooga. Yesterday morning, I started again and got to the “Grand Junction” last night about 10 o’clock. There I had to stay all night for a train. This morning, the train came and I took it at 8 o’clock, and arrived here about 11. This place is forty-eight miles from the Grand Junction. It is now about 3 ½ o’clock in the afternoon. I am to leave here at 9:45 tonight, and, with good luck, shall reach Centralia at 9 ½ in the morning, in time for the grand gathering there to-morrow. You will readily conjecture that my present detention at this place is owing to its being Sunday. You will readily imagine that it has been a weary, heavy day to me.
I am an utter stranger here, in face and in name. The landlord at the Junction evidently knew me from reputation, but this one does not. I am all alone here; but I am wearing through the day better than you would imagine.
I think Douglas is strong in this part of Tennessee, but I have no doubt but that Bell will carry the State. Douglas is to speak at this place on Tuesday.
And now for the reason of this unexpected trip on my part: When I got to Atlanta, Dr. Hambleton showed me a dispatch, which he had just got from Mr. Douglas, inquiring when you would meet him in Illinois, and Hambleton told me that it was published in the papers that you were going to Illinois. Hambleton was afraid that the “when” in Douglas’ dispatch implied that he expected you with certainty at sometime, and he might wait for you, and so give up his Georgia appointments. The truth is, he seemed very uneasy, lest Douglas might not go to Georgia at all, unless you or I should meet him, as Hambleton had promised him one of us would do. He did not acknowledge to me in terms that he had made such a promise, but I became perfectly satisfied that he made some such promise. The only doubt I have is as to what the exact promise was. I think it was that you would meet Mr. Douglas; but it is possible that it was in the alternative—you or I. At all events, he begged me to come and I came. When I got to Atlanta, I found that Ben Hill had spoken to a very large crowd there the night before, and had got resolutions passed for a fusion of all parties in Georgia, so as to run a ticket which should be pledged to neither of the candidates, but pledged only to vote for that one who would have the best chance to beat Lincoln when the vote should be cast. The Douglas men and Bell men were all for it, and a number of the Breckinridge men also. I am inclined to think that if it is well managed, it may be a strong, wise and successful movement. I am afraid that it may be distasteful to Douglas men in some parts of the State, because it is inaugurated by Bell men; but I hope not I find that there is great apprehension in the public mind from the prospect of Lincoln’s election. The almost universal expectation seems to be that Carolina will secede; that the General Government will try to force her back, and that the whole South will make common cause with her. I say this seems to be the expectation, and it also seems to be the sentiment, of the people—Douglas men, Bell men and all. I really look upon that as the probable result. I do not know whether I shall speak to-morrow or not. I certainly shall not do so unless I am satisfied that Mr. Douglas really desires it. I feel, however, that, if circumstances should be favorable, I could give the Illinois men a talk which may do them good. My sheet is out. I have no envelope. Good-bye. You will not hear from me again until you see me in Atlanta. May God preserve us all!
Linton Stephens to his brother, from Biographical sketch of Linton Stephens (Late Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia), published 1877