Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-12-22
1ETTER FROM HON. A. H. STEPHENS.


Wa have been favored saws the Journal Of Com
naerce, with the following letter from Hon. A ID.
Stephens of Georgia, to friend a resident OF New
York:
CRAwFoRDvILLE, (GA.,) Nov. %, 1860
DEAR SIR: Your kind and esteemed favor of the
18th instant is before me- for which you will please
accept my thanks. thoroughly agree with you as
to the nature and extent of the dangers by which
we are surrounded, and the importance of united
action on the part of our people in the line OF policy
to be pursued
I know. also that there breathcs not a man in
Georgia who is more sensitively alive to her rights
interests safety honor, and glory than myself ana
whatever fate befalls US | earnestly hope that we
shall be saved from the worst of all caamlties-n-
ternal divisions contentious and strites The great
and leading object aimed at by me in Mledge7ille
was to produce harmony right line OF policy Ii
the worst comes to the worst, as 1t may, and our
State has to quit the Union, it is of the utmost nm
portance that all our people should be united cordial
ly in this course. This, feel confident can only
be eff; cted on the line of policy indicated.
But candor compels me to say that am not with
out hopes that our ights may be maintained and
our wrongs be redressed in the Union. If this can
be done it is my earnest wish. think also that It
is the wish of majority of our people. Ii, after
making an effort we shall fall then all our people
will be united in making or adopting the last resort
the ultima ratio Tegum." Even in that case l
should look with great apprehension as to the ult
mate result. When this Union is discovered, If OF
necessity it must be- see at present but little pros
pect of good government afterwards. AT the North
| feel confident anarchy will soon ensue. And
whether we shall be better off at the South will de-
pend upon many things that am not now satisfied
that we have any assurance Of
Revolutions are much easier started than con-
trolled, and the men who begin them, even for the
best purposes and Objects seldom end them. The
American Revolution of 1875 was one of the few
exceptions to this remark that the history of the
world furnishes. Human passions like the
winds when aroused they sweep everything before
them in their fury. The wise and the good who at
tempt to control them will themselves most likely
become the victims. This has been the history of
the downfall of all republics. The selfish, the am
bilious and the bad will generally take the Lead
| When the moderate who are patriotic have
gone far as they think right and proper, and pro-
pose to reconstruct, then will be found class below
them, governed by principle but personal Objects
who will be for pushing matters further and further
until those who sowed the wind will find that they
have reaped the whirlwind.
These are my serious apprehensions. They are
founded upon the experience of the world and the
| philosophy of human nature, and no wise man
| should condemn them. TO tear down and build up
again are very different things; and, before tearing
down even a bad Government We should first see a
good prospect for building up better. These are
my views canddly given. If there is one sentiment
in my breast stronger than all others it is earnest
desire for the peace prosperity and happiness which
wise and good government alone can secure. /
have no object wish, desire, or ambition beyond
this and if should in any respect in endeavor-
ing to attain this object it will be of the
head and not the heart.
With great personal esteem and respect, l remain
yours, truly,