The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1860-12-05
Seeeasaom I'm S9eorwia.

H. Stephen, confessedly the most Brilliant
and able of Southern statesmen, has !ate'y
delivered powerful Union speech in the
Hall of the Georgia House Of Representa-
tives. Mr.. Stephens takes ground sib:
stantially with Mr.. Douglas and adjurcs h's
countrymen to apply their minds to some
practical solution of the difficulties which
surround them and not fly to greater evils
than they have yet known by allowing the
mad passions of the hour to rule them. He
was interrupted by Toombs who had spoke"
the night previously, but Stephens replied
to his colleague in admirable temper The
great length Of Mr.. Stephens speech pre-
cludcs its publication in our columns but
We will try to give . few extracts.
MACON, Nov. l6, 1860.
"Will Georgia sccede p This question:
comes to the writer every day, and many
times day, orally, by letter and over the
wires from uneasy bushes nen in Northern
cities. 1t shall be answered as honestly
and as truthfully as the impartiality Of the
writer and the uncertainty Of all future
events will admit.
Georgia, in my judgment, will seccde:
In 1850 Howell Cobb was elected Governor
on the issue of remaining in the Union un,
der the compromise acts, by majority Of
eighteen thousand votes. This was the
Union majority OF that day. Cobb had
then an immense personal popularity in his
section Of the State, and he was backed iE
all sections by such an array Of personal
influence and oraterical advocacy as has
rarely been brought to the aid of any
gubernatorial candidate in Georgia. In
thinking over the splendid names which
contributed to this Union triumph, I cannot
now remember one, except it be the Hon.
A. H. Stephen, who is now an advocate Of
State action against the Lincoln admins
tration. Cobb himself is for it, as you
know. His younger brother, Thos r. N:
Cobb, although unknown in public life, yet
one Of the most splendid intellccts and
orators in the United States, man of the
highest moral and religious character, is in
the field, most earnest and potent cham
pion for secession. James Jackson, Robert
Toombs, Henry r. jackson, Absalom H.
Chappcll-in fact, not to be tedious, all the
lights of the great Union campaign Of 1850
nov glow with ardor for secession
Looking at all our public men (whatever
the future may develope,) would not dare,
upon present information, put down ono as
distinctly and definitely arraycd against it.
The lapse Of few weeks may, indeed, dis
cover some powerful opposition leaders !;
but the question Of vast prcpondcrance
among leading and speaking men for seces-
sion in Georgia is already settled.
And how about the people? will say
| nothing about the chronic fire eaters, and
aim to tell you the current of feeling and
f, opinion among the conservative classes
those who only look to government for pro-
lection, and care nothing for political prefer
ment. These men look at the election of
Lincoln as the elimination (inevitable
sooner or later) Of ianatical prejudice in
wrought in the Northern people by educa-
ton, and which must necessarily, in the
end, prove fatal to the South unless O sepa-
ration takes place. They say it may pos
sible be delayed little while but to what
purpose? What will be gained by it?
In vain do you tell them that, after all.
Lincoln will be conservative, and we still
have a minority in the Supreme Court and
in Congress. What does that amount to?
You have added to the long list of acts
showing an unconquerablc disposition to
wage political war on slavery-the crown
ing offence Of installing national admins
tration for that purpose. Once admit the
fatal precedent and nothing is left but
ruin. Without q single overt act or pal
pable violation Of the constitution, 4 federal
government bent on the "irrcprcssible con-
flict' can harass and diquiet the South to
such degree as to destroy the value ol
slave property and necesitate its extinction
as matter Of selfdefence 1t can revolu.
tionize the courts, fill the post and other
Offices with its creatures, build up party,
establish presses in its interest; fill the
country with its emisarics, and scatter
insubordination and discord broadcast.
What if Lincoln fails to carry out this Sew.
ard, Helper and Greeley programme? In
the onward progress of abolitionism in the
Northern States, the next one will do it.
and do worse; while by resting quietly un
der the domination of the black republican
President, we shall render ourselves power
less to resist second. In this light, what
are verbal assurances from Lincoln's friends
and supporters about his Conservatism
worth?
Are we to forget that five years have suf:
feed to erect in the Northern States, a great
overshadowing party, which has ostracised
from the public councils nearly every man
Of talents and patriotism, and aroused q
vast majority of your people to one all. alb
sorbing, undying war against slavery-tc
that, and nothing else? What mean these
conspirators by their assurances of conser.
vatism? If they deal in truth now, then
their speeches during the campaign were Q
living lie; but if sincere in their promises,
then we say they have no power to control
the storm Of fanaticisn they have raised.
The masses Of our people will venture
upon disunion with distrust and regret
They look upon it only as sad alternative
to social revolution, which, as things stand,
is inevitable as fate. International affec,
ton for the Union among the Southern
masses is greater than at the North. We
are an old fashioned people; but behind US
is the ever pursuing demon of Northern e..
naticism, growing stronger and swifter with
every year, and Unsuitable by concession
Before us, on one hand, is the vast expert.
ment Of self-government, under many dis.
advantages; and on the other, a productive
country abandoned to negro vagrancy and
uninhabitable by whites or cleared of its
| Uoo-seht mcuMOerance Dy relentless ex-
termination Of the blacks. after long years
of mutual carnage. Which shall we choose !
You arc advised by telegraph of the pass.
age of bill .apprcpriating one million ol
dollars to put Georgia in state of defence.
l learn from Milledgeville that all parties are
a unit in bill for . convention Of the peo
pie, and that it will be reported by a Joint
committee tomorrow. 1t is probable that
/ whatever difference of opinion may exist
upon the question Of secession viii be de.
veloped during the canvass for delegates 10
this convention and its subsequent seces-
sion. really do not believe they will be