Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-11-27
Hon. A. H, stephen, of georgia

VIZ Fapers OF the State requested to copy.
Hon. A. HI. stephens of Georgia.
On the 18th inst, this distinguished gentle
man delivered an address in Milledgevile, Geor
gia, in the Hall of the House of Representatives
Mr.. Stephens is is one of the ablest men of the
South, and is truly devoted to the interests of
the South as any man within its borders. He
is Democrat, and III the recent canvass sup
ported the claims of Stephen A. Douglas. His
speech is "wise, conciliatory, patriotic, devoted
to the South, and urgent in defending the rights
of Georgia, yet it is moderate and temperate in
counsel, eloquent in thought and convincing i'm
argument" We are sorry that we have not
space to publish the whole speech, as we should
like to have it read and pondered by all. We
give as much, in the following extracts, as we
have room for
"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 coun-
trymen, tell you frankly, candidly and earnestly,
that do not think that they ought In my
Judgment, the election of no man, constitution
ally chosen to that high office, is sufficient cause
for any State to separate from the Union. 1t
ought to stand by still and aid in maintaining the
Constitution Of the country. To make point
of resistance to the Government, to withdraw
from it because man has been constitutonally
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 with
draw ourselves from it
''Would we not be in the wrong9 Whatever
fate is to befa this country, let it never be laid
to the charge of the people of the South and
especially to the people of Georgia, that we were
untrue to our national engagements. Let the
fault and the wrong rest upon others. If all
our hopes to be blasted, if the Republic is to
go down, let US be found to the last moment
standing on the deck with the Constitution of
the United States waving over our heads. Zap
plause.] Let the fanatics of the North break the
the responsibility be upon them. shall speak
presently more of their acts; but let not the
South, let us not be the ones to commit the ag-
erosion. We went into the election with this
people. The result was different from what we
wished but the election has been constitution
ally held. Were we to make point of resist-
ance to the Government and go out of the Union
on that account, the record would be made up
hereafter against US.
"But it is said Mr.. Lincoln's policy and prin-
ciples are against the Constitution, and that il
he carries them out it will be destructive of our
rights Let Us not anticipate threatened evil.
II he violates the Constitution, then will come
our time to act. Do not let us break it because,
! 70 h., Az A. -.
for us to strike. Applause.] | think it would
be injudicious and unwse to do this sooner
| do not anticipate that Mr.. Lincoln will do
anything to leopard our safety or security, what
ever may be bis spirit to do it; for he is bound
| by the constitutional checks which are thrown
around him. which at this time renders 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
be is clothed with no absolute power He can
do nothing unless he is backed by power in Con-
gress. The House of Representatives is largely
in the majority against him.
"When look around and see our prosperity
| in everything, agriculture, commerce, art, SCI
ence and every department of education, phys-
cal and mental, as well as moral advancement,
and our colleges, think, in the face of such an
exhibition, if we can without the loss of power,
or any essential right or interest, remain in the
Union, it is our duty to ourselves and to pos
tsrity to-let US not too readily yield to this
temptation-do so. Our first parents, the great
progenitors of the human race were not without
a like temptation when in the garden of Eden.-
They were led to believe that their condition
would be bettered-that their eyes would be
opened-and that they would become as Gods.
They in an evil hour yielded-instead of becom.
ing Gods they only saw their own nakedness
II look upon this country with our institutions
as the Eden of the world, the Paradise of the
Universe. 1t may be that out of it we may be-
come greater and more prosperous, but | am
candid and sincere in telling you that / fear if
we rashly evince pasaon and without sufficient
cause shall take that step, that instead of be-
coming greater or more peaceful, prosperous and
happy-instead of becoming Gods we will be-
come demons, and at no distant day commence
cutting one another's throats This is my appre-
tension Let u.s. therefore, whatever we do.
meet these difficulties, great as they are, like
wise and sensible men, and consider them in the
light OF all the consequences which may attend
our action. Let us see first clearly where the
path of duty leads and then we may not fear to
tread therein
''Now then my recommendation to Won wonld
be this:-In view of all these questions of Diff
iculty, let convention of the people of Georgia
be called, to which they may be all REFEREED
Let the sovereignty Of the people spesk. Some
think that the election of Mr.. Lincoln is cause
sufficient to dissolve the Union Some think
those other grievances are sufficient to dissolve
the same, and that the Legislature has the pow
er thus to act and ought thus to act have no
hesitancy in saying that the Legislature is not
the proper body to sever our Federal relations
if that necessity should arise. An honorable
and distinguished gentlemen tie other night
(Mr. I. r. Z. Cobb) advised you to take this
course-not to wait to hear from the cross roads
and groceries. | say to you you have no power
so to act.
-"You must refer this question to the people and
you must wait to hear from the cross roads and
even the groceries; for the people 10 this COM
try, whether at the cross roads or the groceries,
whether in cottages or palaces, are all equal,
and they are the sovereigns in this country
Sovereignty is not in the Legislature. We, the
people, are the sovereigns. ! am one of them
aud have right to be beard, and 60 has any