The Van Buren press., 1860-10-26

FROM the Af!sa,s (Gs, CSntedesaey. Ser. 2s.
8peSch of Hon. Alex. II. Htophens,
At Atlanta. 0a--Throe Thousand
PSrsons Present.
On yesterday, the o5tll inst, Hon. Alex
ander IL. Stephens arrived iu this city. on
has way to ,Cherokee, Ca, and although
,nuch debilitated flom tho excessive heat of
the summer months. hs as prevailed upon
to say something in behalf Of the time
honofed principles Of the National Demo-
cratic party. and in vindication OF tue great
champion of Popular Sovereignty. Ste-
phen A. Douglas. At one O'Clock Mr..
stephens gave his consent to speak to the
extent Of his strength. 'rhc Eact was pub
iished ct -four o'clock. and 1t half -psst scy-
en- tbs largest and most enthusiastic out
pouring OF tho people assembled at the City
Hall to greet the pure patriot and distin-
guished statesman. Old men, middle ayel
and young men were there. Men of all
parties were there and the ladies'. married
and single. We'd with each other in listen-
lug to the words of wisdom that were to
fall from the lips Of Georgia 5 favorite or
ator
At o'clock Mr.. Stevens appeared upon
the stand. accompanied by Hon. Luther j. .
Glenn, and Col. Glenn opensl the discnss-
ion IN short and eloquent address, and
Guided by Introducing Mr.. Stephens.
The remarks Of Mr.. Stephens were, in
substance, as follows
Ny countrymen: thank you for this
cordial reception. am here to address you
as American citizens Of u common cause,
and not members OF any particular party
or organization. The times are porten
tions. and it behooves every freeman to
look to his country's interest.
Ny countrymen, this is a good govern
ment. 1t Is the best in existence, or has
ever existed. 1t has cost much treasure
and blood. 1t is government which has
been and Is the admiration Of the civilized
world Tho people are prosperous and
happy to an extent unknown in the history
Of other governments And if they were
not miSled by mischievsus dcmagogues and
iactlouists would be the most conten,e]
people in existence.
am here to detract from no man OF
party, and if | canao, say something in
praise oi the several gentlemen who ART
candidates for the Presidency and Vice
Presidency, or the different tickets, [ will
not say anything to their prejudice l an
we'll acquainted with the several camilla tes
l know them well. And none do | know
better than Stephen A. Douglas 1 know
him to be honest, faithful and Just. He l.
no time server. but "a statesman and pa
triot. He is consistent National u emo
crat, a.id having been nominated according
to the nsages OF the party. is the only reg
uiar nominee OF the party, and should re-
ceive the cordial support of al! Nationa
Dem mocrats. Mr.. Douglas is Constitu.
tlonal Democrat. and . friend to the union
OF the States, and the untiinchng advocate
OF the pcrpetuty Of this priceless govern.
ment. tie has stood for years the grea,
barrier to drive back Abolition ianaticisn
from infringing upon the rights of th
South. Upon all occasions, and under u.
circumstances. even at the haz ard oi hi,
own life. he has manfully and unprecedent
edly defended the rights of the South. X,
was the first statesman Of his section I,
assert the inequality of tho negro. and to
declare that slavery was right. morally, po-
litically and rclisiously. Ike msintain,
that tnis is government for white men an 4
not for negroes. ami that the DeclXSAtion OF
Independence had no reference to the negro.
MIR. Douglas has defended the South. w.aen
assaiiea by three THOUSAND ciersymen, BY
higher iawism. and other i>ms that were
waIriny upon her rights and interests. even
when her own representatives We're deleiict
of duty. And now We are called upon tu
strike down this man Where: my coun
trylncn. is your gratitude. OK is there no
justice in man
Mr.. Douglas has been charged by the
supporters of Mr.. Breckinridgc, as an III
stance Of his unworthiness Of Southern
support as having votel for the Wiilnot
proviso. This intention to prejudice the
public mind at the South in relation to that
vote was wrong and un us;. Mr. Douglas
never supported the Willuot proviso only
when instructed as . Senator by his State
| and before and after casting his vote, he
protested against the principle OF Congress
sional protection to slavery in the Terrific
ries. and stated that his vote upon that oc
casion was not his, but that of the LeSls-
laturc Of Illinois when antrainmeled by
instructions he always opposed the Wilmot
proviSo. although it was endorsed in the
Oregon bill by Mr.. Iancey, Mr.. Cobb and
almost every Demeerst in the South.
| The effort had been made to prove that
Mr.. Douglas was the advocate of popular
sovereignty, ergo, he was not safe custo-
dian Of Southern rights. If being the al
yocate and endorser OF popular sovereignty
| made a man unworthy or unsafe to be
trusted by the South, plead guilty of the
charge.
Itvas popular sovereignty that introdu-
ced negIo slavery into the colonies Of Vir-
ginis, the Caroiinas and Georgia against
the prohibitory powers attempted to be ex
ercisea by the trustees OF the crown OF Greai
Britain. 1t was popular sovereignty which
made Georgia. Tennessee. and oven Texas.
slave States. ln-Texss there was law
prohibiting the introduction of slavery, yet
popular sovereignty carried it thore. And
| for that reason, the people saw that slavery
was suited to the soil and climate OF Texas.
SO it will bc eyerywhere. Soil and climate
will control it in the settlement OF allthe
Territories. oti sst< 'e2sias
But, believing as do, that slavery is the
normal condition of the negro. and that it
is one Of the fixed laws Of the Creator that
it shall exist. l believe the time will come
when it will exist in every State in the
Union. 1t is this great law of nature, of
destiny, of truth, which asTbrouyht about
the irrcpTessiblc conflict, which is sure to
end in the overthrow fanaticisin, provided
the government is preserved and tho Union
Ar Ii l,o~. IL l..