The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1855-06-01
From the Augusta Chronicle & Sentinel.
Letter from Hon. A. H. Stephens.
CRAwFoRDvILLE, Ga, Nav 9th, 1856

ceIved some days ago, and-shouId have been an.
swered much earlier, but for my absence from home
The rumor you mention IN relation 10 my candidacy
for re-rlecton TO Congress, Is true. | have stated
and repeated on various occasions, that was not,
and did not expect 20 be, a canddate-the same
now say TO you. The reason Of this declaration
fN my part was, the fact that large numbers of
our cid political friends seemed to be entering in.
10 new combinations with new objects, pnrp0S. S
and principles, Of which | was not informed, and
could be, according to the rules Of their ac.
ton and the opinions Ienlertain. Hence nv con-
clusIOn that they had no further use for he as
their Representative; Tor presumed they knew
enough of me To be assured If they had any se-
cTet alms or objects 10 accomplish that they never
could get my consent even IT they desired it, TO
become dumb instrument To- execute such a pur-
pose. | certainly never did, and never shall, go
before the people candidate for their suffrages
with my principles IN my pocket. Ii has been
the pride OF M life. heretofore, not only make
known fully and freely my sentiments upon all
questions of public policy, but in vindicarion Of
those st sentiments thus avuwrd, 10 meet any antag-
onIss arrayed against th"m, in open and manly
sIre-''iace 10 face and toe TO tOr.'' From this
rule of action, by which | have up TO this time
been & vern"d, | shall II. depart. But vnu
ask mr what my opinions and views oi this
party cal"d Know. Nobmgs, with "a request
that you Ge prrmIIteu 10 publish them. My opin.
chrer;uily, As fully and clearly ) my rlm", under
the pressure of business, will allow. You can do
With them as you pleasr-publI,h them, or nnt
as you Ike. They the views of II private
cuIzen. | am at present, to all InrentS nd pur-
poses whatsoever, literally one 0t tie pe0Dr
hold office seek any, and one of the
people. shall speak to you aud them on this, aGd
all occasions, WI that lranknrsS and ndepen-
Grnce which brcu,nes u ireemanLo bear towards
In I1IlC And & ak,
N"hngism," | ought, perhaps, to premise 10y say
my, and saying must truly, that | really know
nothing about the principles, aims or objects Of
thu party AN about tu speak ot-rhey are ell
k"Pr cret-brIng communicated and made knmwn
uny To the Initiated, and to these uui after
hrIug first duly pledged and sworn. This, 10 me-
/, d very great objection to the Whole Organiza-
I'u. All political principles, winch sought
in BE- Carried IN Legislation by any body sci of
m'.n Ia Il republic, in my opinion. ought TO be
"p My avowrd aud publicly proclaimed. IThHH
n"V"r >hInS the light nor >hTInkS iroII InvPStIga-
u'n-or at lcas. ii 0"@M nTccr Ia dO II. Hiding
riarC> secret C0vcris, are natural resorts for
Ii l., therefore, ii circumstance Qui'e Suf-
hcent to cxci'e suspicion agrIn~t the trUht to
II pursuing such Il c"ursr. Aud r-pubicS
where tree discussion and full Investigation by
Frrlu"us and intelligent people allowed, there
never eau be- any just grounds TO lear any danger
even from the greatest erT"rS in religion poll
tics. All questions, therefore, retariug to the gov
ernment OF free people. ought To be made
known, clearly understood. fully Discussed and
Understandings acted upon. Indeed, do not
heii"ve that Republican Government last
Irng, where this is not the case. La my opinion
man Is lit In represent free people who has
any PrvI'e or secret objects, aims that hr dos
not openly av0w, or who Is not ready and willing.
at all u"" :, when required or asked, candldly
and LpfljL'ilY. :" proclaim /" the assembled null
nddr ho only his principles, but h's views and sen
uments, upon all questions that may come before
HIM in his representative cIpaci.y. 1t
Tins basis that representative government
founded, and on this aunc it hp MAINTAINED in
purity aud safety. And il any secret party shall
he far succcsSfuI in this country To
bring the government in all lis departments aud
functions under the baneiul influence of con-
,rol aud power, political ruin will inevitably ensue
No truth IN politics can be more easily and firmly
established, either BY reason or from history, up
on principle authority, than this. These are
my opinions, candidly expressed.
| know that many good and true men In Gror-
gia differ from me in this particuIar-lhousands
of them, doubt not, have joined this order
with good intentions. Some of them have told
me so, and do not question 'h~ir motives. And
thousands more will, perhaps, do 1t with the same
intentions and motives. Should it be a short
iIvrd affair, no harm will, may, come OF 1t.
EOut Succetu-iSt u carry lB1 elecIlOnS Si2e
anG Frd5ral-leI the natural and inevitable laws
oi lis own organism be once fully deveoped-and
the country will go by the board Ii will 60 as
France did. The first Jacohin club organ
IL d in Paris The 9th of November, 1889, un- |
der the auring name Of 81 he Friends OF The Con,
sl.uuon, quite as specIOus as Ihnt we now hear
OF 'Amercnns shall rule America" MANY Of the
best men and Iruest patriots Joined it-and thou
sands OF the Of men Joined the affiliated
clubs alterwards-litlle dreaming Of the deadly |
fangs of ihdt Vi per they were nurlurng in their
bosoms. Many OF these very men afterwards
went 10 The Guillonne, by orders passed secretly,
in these very clubs. All Legislation was settled
IN the clubs -m3mberS OF the National \ Assembly
and Convention, all OF them, most ol them,
We're members Of :he clubs, for they could not be-
Otherwise elected. And after The question was
settled IN the clubs, the members next day went
TO the nominal Halls OF Legislation, nothing but
trembling autOmatons to register the edic;s OF the
"Order," though 1t were 10 behead mona rch, or
to the blood Of the best OF their number TO
flow beneath the stroke of the axe. Is history OF
no use? Or do our people vainly imagine that
Americans would not do as the French did under
Ike circumstances "Is thy servant a dog thai |
he should do this thing - said the naughty, self
confident HazeeI. Yet hs did all that he had !
been tod that he would de-. Let him that ,
thnketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" .Hu.
man nature is the same compound Of weak iraIl-