The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1859-07-27

him, and which he has SO honoraDIy ana SO
ably filled. There was large number OF la
dies present; and, though the heavens frowned,
and the sky grew dark, and the rain came down
upon the earth, there was but a brief Interrupt
ton of the orators remarks.
Mr.. John Bones came forward on the plat
form which had been erected for the occasion,
and introduced Mr.. Stephens to the audience,
whereupon the honorable gentleman arose, and
proceeded to address his late constituents, in
substance as follows:
Mr. Stephens returned thanks for this popu-
lar display on the part of his constituents; for
there was much in it to enhance his apprecia-
ton of the compliment intended TO be bestowed.
1t was an imposing assembly --not only of the
voters of the district, but of the fair of the
land-the mothers and the daughters; an as
sembly not only of political friends, but of po-
litical foes-al off which tended to enhance the
demonstration. 1t is not every one in political
life that has been so fortunate. as TO receive
such a compliment at its close. II was not an
uncommon thing among the ancents for pub
lie men to be ostraclsed and even in his coun-
try some fail to meet the popular appreciation;
hence he was particularly gratifed at this testl-
monial, and responded gratefully for this good
feeling on the part of his constituents.
Politics is a stormy and uncertain sea, pos
sessing dangerous and uncertain elements; and
while riding its storms, as he has, many of his
associates have been wrecked. He has been
more fortunate; but claims nothing for himself
it was all owing to the personal feeling enter
tanned for him by his constituents; and he again
expressed his gratitude for this display, coming
from the source it did, and in the beautiful and
tlourishing city of Augusta.
The occasion was suggestive Of thoughts OF
regret, as all parties are; but he would not
dwell upon these thoughts. He was not as one
about to part from friends, but rather like the
weather beaten mariner-after passing through
the dangers of the mighty-deep, he sails upon
his last voyage, heayes in sight of his wished
for home, and once more lands on terra firma,
never to sail again upon the troubled sea; so he
felt to-day. applause
Another source OF qualification is In the fact
that he leaves the country in as good condition
as he found t-mucA better, in fact, and mate
rally advanced in all the elements of wealth
and power.
Here Mr. Stephens made some remarks in re-
Iation 10 State policy, which we omit.
He was gratifed that his conduct in the po-
litical field had been approved; and he would
briefly let his audience know how the political
questions which have agitated the country now
stand.
He alluded to his connection with the annex
alton to Texas-one Of the most momentous
questions, and the first which he lad ever met
with. II was a fiery ordeal, for he then stood
in opposition to his friends; but Il sense of duty
impeIled him to adopt the course he did. The
secret history of the subject has never been
written The annexation of Texas secured
four slave States to the Union. Without claim
ing any honor for himself, he stated that the
resolutions that passed the senate were drawn
up by himself and Brown, of Tennessee, and
that Mr.. Calhoun and Mr.. Tyler never saw
them until they were in print. In 1850, Mr..
Hale asked Daniel Webster, the great constitu-
tional expounder, whether he thought it was
constitutional to admit territory, with guar
antee of four slave States, into the Union? Mr..
Webster replied Il dot This was one of the
most gratifying events of his life. In six years
Notwithstanding the disagreement and difficult
ties through which he passed, he lived to see
the ablest eXpounder admitting, in the face of
the world, that the act of admission was con
stitutional-and now men of all parties and
creeds agree that it was right.
A great and fearful crisis arose-that was
the question of the power Of congress over the
whether new slave States should
oe admitted, or whether the south should new
er e&I,'nd or enlarge; whether our institutions
Shooia DC slowed out; whether the south should
submit 10 de9rad@tion. He would not give the
history OF those tmee. but simply say, in re-
gard to the part he took, Il is past; what he did
is done, but whether right or .rona, the record
is made up. The south was successful. she
asked nothing wrong from the north, and ,,ot
only what was right. He was perfectly wiliisg
to remain IN the Union, but simply said stay
the hand of oppression. As much as he loved
and admired the Union, if the south was to be
hemmed and hedged in, he was for resistance;
sooner than submit to practical or theoretical
questions of wrong, he was forresistance.
He believed truth would triumph; all the
south wants is decision, union, patriotism He
believed in the power and omnipotence of truth,
and would ask for nothing wrong. The great
principle to be carried out is expansionSthe |
right Of the people of the south to 60 to the ter
ntores with their slave property, protected by
the constitution, and aplatform of equal rights. |.
The question was fully settled as principle, |
that congress should make no discrimination
IN regard TO sectional rights in the territories, I
but that the people of each territory, when
about 10 form a constitution as a State, should
decide for themselves whether they should
come into the Union as a free or slave State.
The Missouri compromise doctrine, the Tex
as doctrine, the territorial doctrine of Rufus
King in 1917, have all been abandoned In
the admission of this principle, it was not a tri,
lmph of the south, buta triumph of Justice,
ruth and right. The settlement was fully up
% the demands of the south. She never asks
out for what is right. The principle is now
settled that congress shall abstain from all legis
alton on the subject Of slavery in the terrific
les, whether as to the north or the south: and
he territories are now open to all sections, and
nave the privilege of adopting slavery or not,
rs the people may choose, when they come to
orm constitution. These measures, howey
II, did not go as far as he wished; he would
rave congress to give protection to slave prop
'rty IN the public domain as long as it remain
ID IN territorial condition
a majority of the south differed with him
lot more than twenty-five men. in congress
greed with him-but be finally yielded 10 the
Ioctnne OF intervention, because it was not
pOrpSSIypt and bpcauSa IT