Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-11-24
RPEECH OF
HON. A. II. STEPHENS,
IRAroErED BY A. K. MARSHAL ]
Delivered in tAs Hall Of ss Hoess Of RsPTsssafatiSss
Of Georgia, "Wednesday EssHiRg, Nov. l4h, lS6o'

aud greeted with long and rapturous applause nc
rose aud said;
request Of members of the Legislature and others, to
sneak of matters Of the deepest interest that can posi-
Div concern US all Of earthly character There Is
nothing no question subject connected with this lie
that concerns rse people so intimately as tnat oil the
government under which they live. We are now, In
deed surrounded by evils Never since entered upon
the public stage has the country been so environed with
aeutes and dangers that threatened the public peace
and the very existence Of society as now do not now
appear before you at my own instance l IS not 10 ga
~ desire of my that am here. Had consulted
nv own ease and pleasure should not be before you
but believing that il is the duty Of every good eizen 70
give his eounsps and views whenever the country IN
danger as to the best policy TO be pursued am here
For these reasons and these only do besPeak ealn
patieut and attentive hearing.
Nv object is not to stir up strife but TO aay IT. not 10
app to your passions but 10 your reason GOOD so
vernment can be built up or sustained by the I'M
pulse of passion wish TO address myself TO your good
sense to YOUR good Judgment and II after hearing you
disagree let agree to disagree, aud part as we met
friendly We all have the same object the same inter-
est That people should disagree in republican govern
ments upon questions Of public policy IS natural That
men should disagree upon all matters connected with hu-
man investigation whether relating to science or human
conduct natural Hence in free governments parties
will arise But free people should express their differ
ent opinions with iberality and charity, with no aermo-
nv towards those Of their fellows when honest and sin
GER " given. These are my feelings tonight
lie, US therefore, reason together. IL is not my pur-
pose 20 say ought TO wound the feelings OF any nduu-
Al who NAV be present. and fin the ardency with which
shall EXPRESS NV opinions shall say anything which
NAV ne deemed sroug let t be set down TO he zeal
with which I advocate my own convictions. Ihere Is
With me no intention to irritaie or offend
FeoW-citizeus We are all hunched in the same barque
all in TIE same craft IN the VIDE P0hteai ocean
the same destiny awaits ALL for veal or for woe
We have been launched in the good old ship that has
been upon the waves for three quarters OF century,
which has been in many tempests and storms has many
times been in peril and patriots have often feared that
they should have to give up yea had at times almost
given il up but still the gallant ship is afoat; though
new storms nov howl around U.s. aud the tempest beats
heavily against Us say YOU don't give up the ship;
don't abandon her vet II she can possibly be presery-
ed and our rights interests and security be maintained,
the cl ec is worth the fort Let us not on account OF
dapponment and chagrn at she reverse Of an eec'os,
Give IN an as lost bat let Us see what be done TO
preyent wreck lSOme said the ship has holes In
herr There NAV be leaks in her but let Us stop them II
we can; many stout old ship has been saved with rich
est cargo, af er many leaks, aud 1t may Be so now
(Cheers)
do not. on this occasion intend to enter into the
history of the reasons or Of the embarassmeuts
which press 80 heavily upon all at this time. In JUS
lice 10 myself however | must barely state upon this
point, that 10 think much OF it depended on our
Ives The CONSERVATION that has come upon the prO-
the result -ttLula NttNatNA % VI
he United States one whose opinions and avowed pru-
ipgs are in suagouism TO interests and rights and
we believe it carried cut would subyert the Constitution
under which We nov live. Bat are We entirely blame
less in this matter my cOuutTymeuy give TO you as
y opinion that but for the policy the Southern people
pursued this fearful result would not have occurred
Mr. Lincoln has been elected doubt not, BY minority
of the people OF the United States What will be tue
extent Of that minority do not vet know, but the DIS
closure when made will show think, that majority OF
the constitutional conservative voters OF the country
were against him; and had the South stood firmly ia the
Convention at Charleston her old platform OF prrci
pies OF uOninisryeuton there Is N my mind but little
doubt that whoever might have been the candidate OF
the National Democratic party would have been elected
by As large mai lri;y hat which elected Mr. Buchan-
an or Mr. Pierce. Therefore let Us not be hasty and
rash in our action especially the result be attributable
AZ all 20 Ourselves Before looking to extreme measures
LEI US first see Georglus, that everything which can
be done to preserve rights, our interests, and our
honor as well the peace OF the country IN the Umon
be first done. (AIplaCse.)
The fret question that presents ITSELF Is, ssa the pco
ME Of the South secede from the Union in consequence
of the election Of Mr. Lincoln 10 the Presidency OF the
United Satesg Ny counuymen, sell you iiaukly can
ddIy and earnestly that do think that they ought
In nv judgment The election Of no man, ccnsuuoraly
chosen to that high Office sufficient cause Tor any State
% separate from the Union Il ought 10 stand by and
aid sin in maintaining the Constitution Of the country
10 make point Of resistance to the Government to with
i7sw from it be- auSe usn has been constitutionay
elected puts Us 10 the wrong We pledged TO mau-
ala tie Constitution Many OF US have sworn 20 sup
port It. Can We, therefore, for the mere election OF
man 70 the Presidency and that TOO 10 accordance With
ne prescribed orals OF The Constitution, make point
Of resistance 10 the Government without becoming the
breakers Of tha. sacred instrument ourselves withdraw
ourselves from II Would We no. be IN the wrongly
Whatever fate l. beal this country, let it never be
laid to the charge Of the people Of the South, ond espe-
tally 20 the people OF Georgia that we we're untrue to
our national engagements Let the fault and the wrong
rest upon others If . our hopes to be blasted II
he Republic Is 10 20 down, lct us be Ouud 10 the last
romsnt st7nding on the deck with the Constitution OF
he Uui.cd States waving over our beads. Applause
at ;ho fanatics Of the North break the Constitution il
uh is their TEL purpose. Let the ponsibiy be upon
them / shall speak presently more Of thci- acts but
et not the South is not be the ones 70 commit the
--gression We into election With this people
lie result vas different from what We wished; but the
-,s,io1 has been oo.suioGa!ly held Were 20 make
pont of resistance the Government and 90 out ol the
Uaion on that account the record would be made up
hereafter against u5.
81. fl Is ,aii II. Lincons policy aud principles are
tglas the Constitution aud that IL he carries them out
q viii De destructive Of our rights. Let Us not anticipate
threatened evil II be violates the Cons;i ution then
will come our time 10 act Do nO lee Us break IL because,
fosooth he may. If be does, that Is the time for US
10 strike. tAppause) / think 10 would be irjudeious
and urwise 10 DO this sooner. DO not anticipate that
Mr. lincoln viii do anything TO leopard safety or
critv whatever may be bis spirit 20 DO 1t; Tor he Is
boupd bv tie Constitutional checks which are throSu
lround him, which Of this time renders him poWere's
70 60 any great miclitC This shows the wisdom Of
CIR system. The Prcsten. OF abe United States Is 10
Emperor no Dic,ator-he ia clothed With no absolute
power he can do no hing un,ss he is backedby pow
3. in Congress Tue House Of Representatives, u large
IN In the mr. odty against him.
In the very face and teeth ofthe heavy majority which
he has nbtaned in Northern States there have been large
D. tive ia Fka innanr
We Constitutional party Of the country which here
viii call the National Democrats party, because that Is
fl, ro,ronea &c has at the North There twelve Of
ts party elected Om New York TO the next Congress
believe Ia the present House there are but four,
think In Pennsylvania New jersey, Ohio, and Indiana
there have been gsas Ia the present Congress there
were rs Republicans when il takes n 20 make ma
,ry The gains ia the Democratic party in Pcnnsyya-
MA. Ohio. New Jersey New York, lcdi4na, and other
States Notwithstanding It's distractions have been
euoagh % make mai Srily Of near thirty in the next
House against Mr. Lincoln. Even 10 Boston, Ar. Bur
ugme one Of the noted leaders Of the fanatics Of that
ssctioa has been defeated aud conservative man re-
turued in his stead Is this the time then TO apprehend
that Mr. Lircol1 with this large minority in the House
OF Representatives against him, carry out any OF his
unconstitutional principles in that body?
In the Se1ae b. viii also be p1Werless There will be
majority OF four a;ainst him This after the loss OF
Biger FITCH ans Others by the unfortunate dsSensions
OF the National Democratic party in their states. Mr.
Lincoln appoint officer without the consent OF
the Scna,e-he canuOt form Cabinet without the same
consent He vii be in the condition Of George the Third
The embodiment Of Tnryism) who bad 10 ask the Wings
10 appoint bis Minister'S and compelled TO receive
Cabinet utterly opposed to bis views and so Mr. Lincoln
will be compelled ask OF the Senate TO choose for him
Cabinet il the Democracy Of that body choose to put
him on such terms He will be compelled to do this or
lee the Government stop if the National Democratic men,
for that Is their at the North) the conservative
men in the Senate should determine. Then bow can
Mr. Lincoln obtain Cabinet which would aid him, or al
low bin to violate the Constitution!