The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1860-12-19
Alexander HI. stephens.


The New York Journal Of Commerce pub
fishes letter received by q gentleman il
that city, from Hon. Alexander H. Steph.
ems. 1t is characteristic of that emiuen
mans hopes and fears for the Uuion.-
Should disruption take place, his grea
anxiety is to produce harmony between th,
contentious opinion in his own state and th,
South. The letter is SO pithy and brief, tina
we give it:
CRAwFoRDvTLLE, Ga, Nov. 25, 1860.
DEAR SIR Your kind and esteemed fave
OF the 18th instant 10 before me, for which
you will please except my thanks. thor
oughly agree with you as to the nature ant
extent of the dangers by which we are sur
rounded, aud the importance of united actor
on the part Of our people 10 the liue of policy
to be pursued.
| know, also, that there brea,hes not {
man in Georgia who is more sensitivelv alive
to her rights, interest, safety, honor, anC
; glory than myself: and whatever fate beta Ils
Us earnestly hope that we shall be saved
from the worst of ell calamities, internal d.
visions, contentious and strifes. The erea
and leading object aimed at by me in Nil
Iedgeville was to pr oduce harmony on righ
line of policy. L the worst comes to the
worst, as it may, and our State has to qui
the Union, 1t is OF the utmost import nue
that all our people should be united cordial.
ly in this course. This feel confident, can
only be effected on the line of policy indi'
Gated.
But candor compels me to say that | an
not without hopes that our rights may be
maintained and our wrongs be redressed in
the Union. IL this can be done il is my
wish. think also that it is the wish of .
majority of our people. If, after making an
effort, we shall fail, then all of our people
will be united in making or adopting the
last resort, the "attinla ratio re9um. -
Even in that case should look with great
apprehension as to the ultimate result
When this Union is discovered, if OF neces
sity it must be, see at present but little
prospect of good government afterwards.
Al the North feel confident anarchy will
soon ensue. And whether we shall be bet
ter off at the South, will depend upon many
things that am not now satisfied that we
have any assurance Of.
Revolutions are much easier started than
controlled, and the men who begin them
even Tor the best purposes and objects sell
dom end them. The Americans Revolu.
ton Of l776 was one Of the few exceptions
to this remark that the history of the world
furnishes. Human passions are like the
winds when aroused they sweep every
thing before them in their fury. I he wise
and the good who at tempt to control them
will themselves most likely become tht vic
Tins. This has been the history of the
do yH!all of all Republics. The selfish, the
ambitious. and the bad will! generally take the
lead. When the moderate men who are patri
otto have gone as far as they think right and
proper, and propose TO reconstruct, then will
be found class below them governed by no
principle but personal objects, who will be
pushing matters further ami further, until
those who sowed the wind will find that they
have reaped the whirlwind.
These are my serious apprehensons. .--
They are founded upon the experience oI
the world and the philosophy of human ma
ture, and no wise man could condemn them.
To tear down and build up again are very
different things ; and before tearing down
even d governm mt we should first see
a good prospect for building up better
These are my views, caudidIy given. II
there is one sentiment in my breast stronger
than all others, it is an earnest desire for
the peace, prosperity, and happiness which
a wise and good government alone can Sc
cue. ! hove no object, wish, desire or am
bition beyond this ; and if should in any
respect err In endeavoring to attain this Oh.
}ject it will be an error of the head and mol
the heart.
With great personal esteem and respect,
lrcmain yours, t:uly,
ALEXANDER II. STEPHENS.