Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1860-09-27
SNHtrIIaneous.
speech Of Hon. Alexander H..
stephens Of Georgia, at Au-
gustp.

gusta.
We have received copy of the elo-
quent speech which the Hon. A. II. STE
pHEss, of Georgia, lately delivered at Au.
gusta, in that State. It's glorious pro-
duction, and is worthy of the fame of the
finest intellect of the South. We have
only room for the following eloquent ex-
tracts relative to Mr.. DOUGLAS:
And in the vindication Of these great
fundamental truths relating to negro ine-
quality and his natural subordinate posi-
ton, which lie at the foundation Of our
social fabric, no man, North or South, or
in the world, has displayed more bold
ness and power than iris same much abus
ed and grossly misrepresented Stephen a.
Douglas. .. ... ....
No man has ever uttered these, or any
other truths, in this country, with more
peril or hazard to himself Whether in
the Senate or on the hustings, whether
,at the South or the North--whether be-
fore party friends or Abolition mobs, he
has never shrunk from their utterance
from fear, favor or affliction, When du.
ty required him to speak, he has never
been silent. See him breasting the ana,
themis of the three thousand New Eng
land clergymen, hurled against him for
the defense Of your rights under the Con-
stitution--and say if it comes with a
good grace, from Southern man, to
denounce him as an enemy to us or ours.
Was there ever blacker ingratitude, since
Adams first great fall, than such demon
strations against such man? Were
to remain silent while hear them, and
see him SO uniustly slain by those who
know not what they do, should feel
myself to be as guilty of innocent blood
as those who stood by and held Stephens
clothes while he was stoned to death
Whatever may he his opinions of pop
ular sovereignty, or squatter sovereignty,
or the right of government on the
part of all organized communicated
it what You wll-they are the same low
that they have been always, the same that
they were in 1856, when he was the fa-
vorite Of the Georgia Democracy for the
Presidency. thought of him then Just
as | do now. If others have changed
their opinions since, he has not. 1t is
one of the qualities about him that in
creases my admiration, that he is no time
server; he does not change with the pop
ular current; he bends to no storm; he
maintains his fidelity and integrity to
principle through woe as well us through
veal. The most manly exhibition of
moral courage and nerve this country
ever witnessed was his contest in Illinois
in 1858. With the Abolition hosts in
front, and all the forces of the Admins
tration so unnaturally and so unjustly
brought in the rear, he fought the battle
single handed and alone, achieving vic
tory unparalleled in the history of politics
in this country. Why should not such
a man receive our support? Not ouly
Democratic, but Wing and Americana
united Southern as well as national sup
port? Are his principles not national,
equal and just to all? OF his associate
on the ticket need not speak here. H.
V, johnson needs no Endorsement from
any in Georgia. No son of hers was ev-
er more sensitively alive to all your great
and most vital interests. He has been
tried in the Senate and the Executive
chair, in the highest and most respectable
offices, proving himself to be equal to any
and every occasion.
Fellow citizens, there is much more |
wish to say-much upon the protection
platform of those who call themselves the
true Democracy, but my strength has
failed-I am completely exhausted. l
can only add: Look at these questions in
all their bearings to your past records
to your present and future security, and
as patriots, do your duty-trusting the
rest with God.
Here Mr. S. being unable longer to
stand, took his seat. The audience re-
quiet, calls were made for Cum
ming, Wright and others; out no one of
the gentlemen called for appearing, Mr.
George w. Lahmar arose on the steps
and announced that Mr.. S. would be able
to proceed in few minutes. After
some enlivening airs from the brass band
Mr.. S. arose, with great physical weak
ness, and proceeded:
| do not feel fellow citizens, as if, in
justice to myself, ought to attempt to
say more tonight; but there is no cause
i'll which | would more willingly die
than in the cause of my country; and l
would just as soon fall here, at this time,
in the advocacy of those principles upon
which its past glory has been achieved,
its present prosperity and its future hopes
depend, as anywhere else, or on any 9TH
er occasion. told you at the onset that
the signs of the times portend evil.
give you this as my deliberate judgment:
the future must make its own disclosures.
But you need not be surprised to see
these States, now so peaceful, contented,
and happy, imbroiled in civ
il war in less than twelve months
There are occasions too grave for excite
ment, or any appeal to the passions. Be-
lieve me, mean all say-the most ter
rifle tornadoes-those which demolish
cities, destroy whole fleets, and sweep
everything before them-come most I'M
So do the most violent rev.
olutions among men, The human pas
sions are the came everywhere They are
dangerous elements for public men, poll
ticians and party leaders to deal with.
The condition of the country threatens