The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-12-25
MIR, stophe,,.'s speech.

in Milledgevile of the Union members of the
Convention. When Mr.. TooMBs had conclu-
ded the admirable speech (Which we reserve
for another day. Mr.. STEPHENS responded TO
the general call as follows:
Mr.. President and Felio,D citizens: rise TO ad-
dress you to night friends OF the Union add
dress you as Georglans, as Southern men, ana also
as Americans. l have but little 10 add To what has
been SO well said, and eloquently said by the gen.
tleman who has preceded me.
The most important question now asked every
where not only among ourselves and throughout
the South but throughout this vast continent, is
what will Georgia do IN the present crisis OF our
public affairs?
Fellow citizens, no State in this Union, since the
formation OF this Government, occupied u prouder
position responsible position than that
which at this time the State OF Georgia occupies.
responsibility rests upon her which has rested
upon other State since the formation of our Gov
ernnent II 10 not assuming too much to say that
the destinies of this Republic and with the desnes
of this Republic the destinies Of mankind, which
intimately interviewer with the astipies OF this
Republic, depend upon what Georgia will do at this
crisis
IL was expected by some of our Southern sisters
that Georgia would lead off in revolution. neigh
boring State on the east of the Savannah, had
pledged herself so far as some OF her leading and
distinguished men could give such pledge, to fol-
low i'll the lead of Georgia. All that desire at this
time is, that that that pledge may be faithfully adj
hercd 10. Laughter and applause.
We have been styled by some in that State and
by others as the Empire State of the South. Eel
low citizens, do not think it is assuming too much
to say that we are the Empire State of the South
hen the question is then either in the South
or in the North, what will Georgia do? trust
that shall feel the full weight of the RESPONSE
biity which rests upon US as to give such a re.
spouse as becomes the dignity of our position.
That response will soon be made And l doubt
not it will be in language unmistakable. And
if were to venture an opinion more particu-
arly to the character of that response, what
it should be, would say it will disclose to the
world, that while we "know our rights and dare
maintain them," when Justly assailed, it will at
the same time exhibit that excellent virtue which
was emphatically and appropriately stated by
the Chair to- day, Mr.. Spaldingo that in modera
ton there is wisdom; Wisdom, Moderation, and
JUSTICE, are our motto. And to the principles OF
this motto, it becomes Georgia now to adhere
But we assembled to- night the friends of
the Union What the friends Of the Union to
do! This Is the question now for consideration.
need not tell you that this Union has been in
great danger. This have all felt and realized.
That crisis through which we have just passed has
left too vivid an impression upon the minds OF all
to need refreshment now. But has the danger
irely passed? Let Us not be deceived. The signs
OF the times ominous. We them III the
South, and them in the North That fear
full agitation which for years has been dstracting
the public councils Is not yet entirely allayed.
What course some of the Southern States intend to
take is not yet known. While at the North
|
The Union, you here to night, in my
opinion, lis still in danger. Ii Is in danger from
two quarters. From the continued agitation for
actious purposes by men at the South, and similar
agitation by uncontrolled fanaticism at the North.
What, then, the friends of the Union-those
who in favor of the Government in the spirit
and for the objects Tor which II was formed
TO do' ! say to you frankly my opinion is, that
the friends of the Union, North and South, must
rally together They must stand firmly shoulder
to shoulder, hand to hand, and meet, in open OPP
position, those whose objects policy will lead
Its destruction. This must be done irrespective of
past party association or organization. When the
country ID in danger all these minor questions
should be buried.
The question is, not how shall govern
our country; but, whether shall have any coun-
try TO govern. This is the question which con-
ccive is addressed to the friends of the Union every
where. There are men in the South, men Of char
acter, men of ability, men whose integrity do not
now intend to call in question, who, either misled
by zeal without knowledge, or influenced improp-
erly by considerations which l shall not speak of
ON this occasion, because / do not intend TO speak
reproachfully; there are, say, men among us
who conceive that the maintenance of this Union
any longer il incompatible with the honor, the
security and the safety of the South. ] think
state their position fairly.
Fellow. citizens, if | believed it, if l thought that
the continuance OF this Union longer was incom-
pabe with the interests and safety of my section,
should be for disunion. wish my position to be
distinctly understood on this point. Whenever this
Government shall, in my opinion, no longer afford
security for the rights OF the South, shall be for
throwing il off. II this Government, which has done
80 much for US ana the millions who now enjoy the
prosperity II affords, and which has done much
for the human family, shall ever become an nstru-
ment of oppression, shall be for its overthrow.
But fellow citizens, do not believe that that day
has yet come Now, to those who of opinion that
II IL Incompatible with the interests and rights of
the Southern States to remain longer in the Union,
would simply PROFOUND question, and ask them,
az Georgians, in what are we now less secure than
before the late action Of Congress? How different
condition now compared with what il twelve
months ago, Then, instead OF being here, was at
the seat OF Government, amid the exciting scenes
which prevailed at the Capitol at that time. There
was the North that had passed the Wimot Proviso
in the House in '45, 40, al and as and which
with a renewed determination TO carry II at
that session through both branches of Congress.
They had the power and this was their determine
ton. That was a gloomy period in our history
threatening clouds were lowering upon the political
horizon. Asa Southern man at that time, saw but
little hope. The decla ration was boldly made upon
the floor OF Congress that the North intended 10
pass the Wilmot Provso in the territoriol bills and
that they intended 10 abolish slavery in the District
of Columbia That a dark hour in our Repub-
lie. That wac the time when free soil assumed 10
rule. Myself and other Southern men stood breast
ing the storm almost without hope, for, Southern
man, was determined that when the powers of my
Government should be directed against me and
mine, should be for striking IL down Fellow -cit-
zens, tell you that "A dark day in the history
OF our hepubhc For eight long months there
was hardly any hope. For eight long months the
tempest became more and more terrible until the
stoutest hearts almost despaired of the Republic.
But what s the condition Of things now Good
men and true men at the North-nOt the mschiev-
Gus and fanatical-not the free soers-not the
WilmOt Proyiso men-but true men of the North,
in whose veins still flow the blood Of patriots-
those men who are not the degenerate sons Of no
bier sires, combined-they united their efforts TO
drive back this unpatrotic crusade against the
South and her institutions TO save the country and
save the Union. ] need not tell you they succeed
ed. The proviso abandoned for the fret time
in five years, and slavery not abolished in the
District, And for the first time i'm the history Of
our country, the principle has been established
that the people of the territories may come into the
Union with or without slavery IA they please, when
they form their State constitutions. The condition
Of things now is vastly different from what IL
twelve months ago; the struggle between the two
sections, II IL true, was long and doubtful During
this period of uncertainty well as alarm, 10 which
have alluded, when the question asked Ne
then at Washington, " Waterman, What Of the
night' the only answer could give was, that
u was a dark night-s tempcstuous night-a dan
gerous night; night of storm and dangers, with
out a ray OF light or CLEAN Of hope.
But the day Of all others which seemed the most
hopeless in prospect in the history Of all this you