The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1860-12-21
Letter from Hon. A. II. Stephens.

Letter from Hon. A. H. Stephens.
We have been favored with the follow
ing letter from Hon. A. II. Stephens OF
Georgia, TO friend, resident of New
York:
CRAwFoRDyILLE, Ga, Nov. 25, 1860.
Dear ,Str:-Your kind and esteemed ia
vor of the 10Th instant is before me, for
which you will please accept my thanks.
| thoroughly agree with you as to the ma
ture and extent of the dangers by which
we are surrounded, and the importance
of united action on the part of our peo-
pie, in the line of policy to to be pursued.
know, also, that there breathes not a
man in Georgia, who is more sensi,ively
alive to her rights, Interests, safety, hon
or and glory than myself; and whatever
fate befalls US, J earnestly hope that we
shall be saved from the Worst of all ca
lamities, internal divisions, contentious
and strifes. The great and leading OBJ
jects aimed ut by me in Milledgeville,
was to produce harmony on right line
of policy.
If the worst comes to the worst as it
may, and our State has 10 quit the Union,
it is OF the utmost importance that all
our people should be united cordially in
this course. This, | feel confident. can
only be effected on the line of policy
indicated. But candor compels me to
say, that | am not without hopes that our
rights may be maintained, and our
wrongs be retlressed, in the Union. If
this can be done, it is my earnest wish.
| think also that it is the wish of ma
iority Of our people. If, after making
an effort, we shall fail then all our people
will be united in making or adopting the
last resort, the "UHima ratio reg,an1."
Even in that case, | should look with
great apprehension as to the ultimate re-
suit. When this Union is discovered, if
OF necessity it must be, see at present
but little prospect of good government
afterwards. Al tie North, / feel confident
anarchy wiH soon ensue. And whether we
shall be better off at the South, will de-
pend 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 for the best OF purposes and
objects, seldom end them.
The American Revolution of l776 was
one Of the few exceptions to this remark
that the history of the world furnishes
Human passions aie like the winds; when
| aroused, they sweep everything before
them in their fury. The wise and the
good who may attempt to control them.
will themselves most likely become the
victims. This has been the history OF
the downfall of all republics. The self.
ish, the ambitious and the bad will gen
orally take the lead When the moder.
ate men who are patriotic have gone as
far as they think right and proper, and
propose to reconstruct, then will be found
class below them, governed by no prin.
ciple, but personal objects, who will be
pushing matters farther and further, TN
til those who sowed the wind find that
they have reaped the whirlwind. These
ARE my serious apprehensions. They are
founded upon the experience OF the
world and the philosophy of human ma.
ture, and no wise man should condemn
them. TO tear down and build up again.
are very different things; and before
tearing down even q bad government we
should first see a good prospect of build
ing up better. These are my views
candidly given. Ifthere is one sentiment
in my breast stronger than all others, it
is an earnest desire for the peace, pros
perity and happiness of our people--that
peace, prosperity and happiness which Il
wise and good government alone can Sc.
cure. | have no object, wish, desire or
ambition beyond this; and if should
i'll any respect err in eldcavoring to at
tain this object, 1t will be an error of the
head and not of the heart.
With great personal esteem and re-
spcct, remain yours, truly,
. ALEX. Ii. STEPHENS.