The national Republican., 1860-11-28
HON. A. H. STEPHENS.

Onuer tne leau VI Ills Raliahs Sun vi ueot-
gia, the conservative citizens of that State are
making bolder demonstration in behalf Of
the Union and the Constitution than in any
other State where secession sentiments appear
to predominate. His speech, delivered in the
hall of the House of Representatives of Geor-
gia, on the evening of the l4th instant, in
answer to Mr.. Toombs, abounds in patriotic
sentiments, eloquenuy expressed and the ap-
plause with which these sentiments were greet
ed, affords cheering evidence that the people of
Georgia are not wholly given over to fanati-
cism and treason. We copy below few brief
extracts from this noble speech:
"The first question that presents itself is,
Shall the people of the South secede from the
Union in consequence of the election Of Mr..
Lincoln to the Presidency of the United States?
My countrymen, tell you frankly, candidly
and earnestly, that l do not think that they
ought. In my judgment, the election of no
man, constitutionslly chosen to that high Of
fee, is sufficient cause for any State to seps-
rate from the Union. 1t ought to stand by
and aid still in maintaining the Constitution Of
the country. To make point Of resistance
to the Government, to withdraw from it because
man has been coustitutonally elected, puts
US in the wrong. We are pledged to maintain
the Constitution. Many Of us have sworn to
support it. Can we, therefore, for the mere
election of a man to the Presidency, and that,
too, in accordance with the prescribed forms
of the Constitution make point Of resistance
to the Government without becoming the break
ers of that sacred instrument ourselves?
Withdraw ourselves from it? Would we not
be in the wrong? Whatever fate is to befall
this country, let it never be laid to the charge
of the people of the South, and especially to
the people Of Georgia, that zoe were untrue to
our national engagements. Let the fault and
the wrong rest upon others. If all our hopes
are to be blasted, if the Republic is to 60 down,
let us be found to the last moment standing on
the deck, with the flag of the Constitution Of
the United States waving over our heads. Ap.
plause. Let the fanatics of the North break
the Constitution, if such is their fell purpose.
Let the responsibility be upon them. l shall
speak more presently Of their acts But let
not the South, let us not be the ones to
commit the aggression. We went into the
election with this people. The result was diff.
ferent from what we wished but the election
has been coastitutionally held. Were we to
make point of resistance TO the Government,
and 60 out of the Union on that account, the
record would be made up hereafter against US.
"But it is said that Mr.. Lincoln's policy
and principles are against the Constitution, and
that If he carries them out it will be destruc
tive of our rights. Let us not anticipate a
threatened evil. If he violates the Constitu-
ton, then will come our time to act. Do not
let us break it because, forsooth, he may. If
he does, that is the time for us to strike. Ap-
plause. l think it would be injudicious and
unwise 70 do this sooner. / do not anticipate
tkot NJ xy,n do kn I'D
our safety or security, whatever may be his
spirit to do it; for he is bound by the const.
tutional checks which are thrown around him,
which at this time render him powerless to do
any great mischief. This shows the wisdom Of
our system. The President of the United
States is no Emperor, no Dictator he is
clothed with no absolute power. He can do
nothing, unless he is backed by power in Con.
gress."
81 have heard it mooted that no man in the
State of Georgia, who is true to her interests,
could hold office under Mr.. Lincoln. But ask
who appoints to office? Not the President
alone the Senate has to concur. No man can
be appointed without the consent of the Sen
ate. Should any man, then, refuse to hold office
that was given him by a Democratic Senate
Mr.. Toombs interrupted, and said, if the Sen
ate was Democratic, it was for Mr.. Breckin,
hend no man could be justly considered untrue
to the interests of Georgia, or incur any dis
grace if the interests of Georgia required it, tc
hold an Office which Breckenridge Senate had
given him, even though Mr.. Lincoln should bt
President Prolonged applause, mingled with
interruptions.
"My countrymen, am not Of those who be
lieve this Union has been q curse up to this
time. True men, men Of integrity, entertain
different views from me on this subject. | DE-
not question their right to do SO; / would no
impugn their motives in 30 doing. Nor will
undertake TO say that this Government of our
fathers is perfect. There is nothing perfect il
this world Of a human origin nothing connected
with human nature, from man himself TO any o
his works. You may select the wisest and bes
men for your judges, and yet how many defect
are there in the administration of justice? Yol
may select the wisest and best men for you
legislators and yet how many defects are ap
parent in your laws? And it is so in our Gov
ernment. But that this Government of ou
fathers, with all its defects, comes nearer the
objects Of all good Governments than any othe
on the face fthe earth, is my settled conviction
Contrast it now with any on the face Of thu
earth. England, said Mr.. Toombs. England
my friend says. Well, that is the next best,
grant but think we have improved upon Eng
land. Statesmen tried their apprentice han'
on the Government of England, and then our
was made. Ours sprung from that, avoiding
many of its defects, taking most Of the good
and leaving out many of its errors, and, from
the whole, constructing and building up thi
model Republic, the best which the history 0
the world gives any account Of. Compare, m
friends, this Government with that Of Spain
Mexico, the South American Republics, Ger
many, Ireland, are there any sons Of that down
trodden nation here to-nightH) Prussia, or,
you travel further east to Turkey or China
Where will you go, following the sun in its Gil