Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-11-24

OF our own people has been called 10 the subject lately
Now, then, my recommendation to you would be this
In view OF all these questions Of difficulty let convention
Of the people Of Georgia be called to which they may
be all referred Let the sovereignty Of the people speak
Some think that the election Of Mr. Lincoln is su
fcient to dissolve the Union. Some think those other
grievances are sufficient 10 dissolve the same aud that
the Legislature has the power thus and ought thus
to act have no hestancy in saying that the Legisla
ture not the proper body to Federal relations
II that necessity should arise.
An honorable and distinguished gentleman the other
night Mr. T. r. r. Cobb advised you to take this
not TO wait to hear from the roads and grocer
les. say TO you, you have po~er so 10 act. You
must refer the question to the people, and you must
wait 10 hear from the at the roads and
the groceries, for the people in this country whether
the roads the groceries whether in cottages
palaces all equal and they the sovereigns this
country. Sovereignty is not in the Legislature. We,
the people, are the soveregns. l am one of them and
have right to be heard and has any other citizen Of
the State Your legislators speak il respectfully,
but servants. You the servants Of the peo-
pie aud their Power resides with the people
in this country The great difference between
try and all Others such France and England and Ire
land that here there Is popular sovereignty, while
there sovereignty is exercised by kings and favored
classes. This principle popular sovereignty, however
much derded lately is the foundation of our institutions
Constitutions but the channels through which the
popular will may be expressed. Our Constitution
from the people. They made it, and they alone can right
fully unmake il.
Mr.. Toombs. / anu afraid Of conventions.
Mr.. Stephens. am not afraid Of any conventions le-
galy chosen by the people. know no way to decide
great questions affecting fundamental laws except by
representatives. Of the people The constitution Of the Uni
ted States made by the representatives Of the people
Tee constitution Of the State of Georgia was made by
representatives OF the people chosen the baot-box-
But do not let the question which before the peo
pie be put TO them in the language of my honorable
friend who addressed you last night. VIII you submito
abolition rule resist?
Mr. Toombs. | do not wish the people to be cheated.
Mr.. Stephens. Now my friends, how are we going to
cheat the people by calling them elect delegates
a convention to decide all these questions without any
dictaon ditectiong Who proposes to cheat the peo
pie by letting them speak their untrammeed views
in the choice Of their abest and best men, to determine
upon all these matters involving their peace.
think the proposition Of my honorable friend had
considerable smack Of uniarness to say cheat. He
wished have convention but for the Legislature to
submit their TO the people, submission TO abolition
rule or resstances Now who in Georgia, would vote
Submission to abolition ruler" Laughter
Is putting such question TO the people to vote on,
fair way OF getting expression OF the popular will on
these questions! think not Now who in Georgia is
going TO submit to abolition ruler
Mr.. Toombs. The convention will
Mr. Stephens. No, my friend, Georgia will never do
it, The convention will never secede from the Georgia
platform Under that there can be no abolition rule in
the General Government am not afraid to trust the
people in convention upon this and all questions. Be
sides the Legislature not elected for such pur
pose. They here to do their duty as Legislators
They have to support the Constitution OF the Uni
ted States They did not here to disrupt this Co
vernment. am, therefore, for submitting all these
questions TO a convention of the people. Submit the
question to the people, VIII her they would submit TO
ABOLITION rule resist and then let the Legislature act
upon that vote? Such course would be an insult TO
the people, They would have to eat their platform, ig
more their past history blot out their records and take
steps backwards, If they should do this. have never
eat my record or words, aud never will
But how will il be under this arrangement ii they
should resist and the Legislature should reassem
Bile with this vote their nstructons Can any man tell
what sort Of resistance will be meant? One man would
say secede another pass reaatory measures these
measures of resistance against wroug-legtmate and
righ-and there would be as many different ideas as
there are members this floor Resistance don't mean
secesson-tbat in no proper sense OF the term is resist
ance. Believing that the times require action, am for
presenting the question fairly to the people, for calling
together an untrammeed convention and presenting all
the questions them whether they will 60 out OF the
Union, what OF resistance IN the Union they
may think BEST and then let the Legislature act when
the people in their majesty are heard, and tell you nov"
whatever that convention does hope and trust peo
pie will abide by. advise the calling Of convention
with the earnest desire TO preserve the peace and harmo
nv of the State should dislike above all things TO
violent measures adopted a disposition to take the
sword in hand, by individuals without the authority OF
law.
Nv honorable friend said last night 81 ask you to give
me the sword for If you do not give it to me- God
lives will take it myself"
Mr. Toombs. will Applause on the other side.
Mr. Stephens have no doubt that my honorable
friend feels as he says II is only his excessive ardor
that makes him such expression but this will pass
of with the excitement Of the hour When the people
in their majesty shall speak, have doubt he will bow
their will whatever it may be- upon the sober second
thought" Applause.
Should Georgia determine to go out of the Union,
speak for one though my views might not agree with
them whatever the result may be- shall bow TO the will
of her people. Their is my cause and their des
ny my destiny; and trust this will be the ultimate
course Of ALL The greatest that befal free
people ia civil war.
But as said let us call a convention of the people
Let all these matters be submitted to it and when the
will of majority of the people has been expressed the
whole State will present one unanimous voice in favor OF
whatever may be demanded for believe in the power
of the people govern themselves, when wisdom pre-
walls and passion is silent Look at what has already
been done by them for their advancement in all that
ennotes man. There is nothing like it in the history of
the world Look abroad from extent of the coun
try to the other contemplate our greatness We are now
among the first nations Of the earth Shall 1t be said
then that our institutions founded upon the principles Of
self-government, are a faureg
Thus far it noble example worthy of imitation
The gentleman, Mr. Cobb the other night said il had
proven failure. failure in whaty In growth. Look
at our expanse in national power. Look at popula
on and increase in all that makes people great.
failure why the admiration OF the civilized world
and present the brightest hopes of mankind.
Some Of public have in their ASPIRATIONS that
il true aud from that great part of troubles
I Prolonged applause
No, there Is no failure of this government yet We
have made great advancement under the Constitution
aud cannot but hope that shal advance higher STILL
Let us be true TO our trust
Now, when this Convention assemblies il l. shall be
called "a hope il may, | would say, in my Judgment
without dictation for coulerrng with you freely
aud frankly aud it is thus that give my views it should
take into consideration oil those questions which distract
the public mind; should view all the grounds Of
sion 30 far as tie election OF Mr.. Lincoln is concerned
and have no doubt that they would say that the Con-
stitutiona election of man is sufficient to
break up the UUion but that the State should wait unt
he ut least does unconstitutional act.
Mr. Toombs-Commit some over, act.
Mr. S.cphens-No, did not say that. The word overt
il sort OF technical connected with treason which
has come TO from the mother country, and it means
an open act OF rebellion. do not see how Mr. Lincoln
can do this unless lie should levy war upon us. do
no. therefore, the word overt. do not intend TO
wait for that But use the word unconstitutional act
which our people understand much better, and which
presses Just what mean. But long he conforms
TO the Constitution he should be let exercise the du
ties of his Office.
In giving this advice am but sustaining the Cons-
tuition OF my country, and | do not thereby become
Lincoln Aid man either, Applause, but Consiitu
tona Aid But this matter the Convention de-
termine.
As to the other matter think have right pass
reaiatory measures, provided they be in accordance
with the Constitution Of the United States and think
they can be made such But whether it would be wise
for this Legislature do this the question To the
convention 10 my judgment this matter ought to be re-
ferred. Before we committed reprisas on England
should exhaust every Of bringing about peace
full solution of the question Thus did Gen Jackson in