Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-05-25
Hon. A. HI. Stephens Letter.

Inc IOliOWlng leCteF Was WFlIteH III re"
Spouse to a call from the citizens of Macon,
Ca, for the views Of Mr.. Stephens in the
present condition of our political affairs It.
calm. clear, able vindioation of the doctrine of
Intervention and consequent reputation
Of the policy Of changing the platform of
the Democratic party are very appropriate
at this time. Hence we offer no apology
for giving the letter in full.
CRAwFoRpvILLE, Ga Mays 1860.
Gentlemen Your letter Of the 9th inst,
was received last night, and I promptly re-
spond to your call as clearly and fully as a
heavy press Of business engagements will
permit. I shall endeavor to be DO less
pointed and explicit than candid. You do
not. in my judgement, over-estimate the
Importance of the questions which now press
upon the public mind growing out of the dis
ruption of the Charleston convention. While
I was rot greatly surprised at that result,
considering the elements Of its composition
and the general distemper Of the times, still
deeply regret it, and with you look with
intense interest to the consequences. What
is done cannot be undone or amended that
must remain lrrevocabe. 1t would, there
fore, be as useless as ungracious to indulge
in any reflections as to whose fault the ruD-
ture was owing to. Perhaps, and most
probably, undue excitement and heat Of
passion, IN pursuit Of particular ends con-
nected with the elevation or overthrow OF
particular rivals for preferment. more than
any strong desire, guided by cool Judgment,
so necessary on such occasions to advance
the public good, was the real cause Of the
ruE ture. Be that as it may, however, what
is now to be done. and what is the proper
course to be taken? TO my mind the course
seems to be clear
A State convention should be called at an
early day, and that convention should con-
slider the whole subject calmly and dispas-
sionately with ''the sober second thought"
and determine whether to send represent
alive to Richmond Or to Baltimore. The
correct determination Of this question, as |
view it, will depend upon another ; and that
is, whether the doctrine Of non-interven
ton by Congress with slavery iu the Ter
ritories, ought to be adhered to, or aban
doned by the South. This is very grave
and serious question, and ought not be de-
cided rashly or Unexpectedly. No such
small matters as the promotion of this OF
that individual, however worthy or uuwor-
thy, ought to enter into its consideration
1t is great subject of public polity, affect
ing the vast interests of the present and fu-
ture. 1t may be unnecessary and entirely
useless fer me to obtrude my views upon
this Question, in advance Of the meeting Of
such convention, upon whom It's decision
may primarily devolve. cannot, however,
comply with your request, without doing SO
to limited extent, at least. This [ shall
do. In the first place, then, | assume, as
an unquestioned and unquestionable fact,
that nop intervention, as stated, has been
for many years received, recognized an1
acted upon as the settled doctrine of the
South.
By intervention. I mean the princi-
pie, that Congress shall pass no law upon
the subject OF slavery in the Territories, Ell
therfor or against it in any way-that they
shall not interfere or act upon 1t at all-or,
in the express words Of Mr.. Calhoun, the
great southern leader, that Congress shall
..leave the whole subject where the Consti-
tuition and the great principles Of self gov
eminent place it, This has been emil
nentIy a Southern doctrine. 1t was an
nounced by Mr.. Calhoun. in his speech. in
the Senate, on the 9th Of June, 1o4S !; and
after two years Of discussion, was adopted
as the basis of the adjustment finally made
ia 1850. It was the demand fthe South,
put forth by the South, and since its estab-
lishment has been again and again affirmed,
and re-aAirmed as the settled policy Of the
South, by party conventions aud State Lee
gislatures, in every form that people can
give authoritative expression to their will