Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-12-19
LETTER OF HON. A. H. STEPHENS.

The following letter of this distinguished
Georgian statesman will be read with interest
and pleasure by every lover of the Union =
CRAwFoRDvnLE, Ca, Nov. %.
DEAR SIR Your kind and esteemed favor
of the 18th instant is before me, for which
you Will please accept my thanks. thorough
ly agree with you as to the dangers by which
we are surrounded, and the Importance of u
nited action on the part of our people, in tho
line of policy to be pursued. l know, also,
that there breatheS not man in Georgia who
is more sensitively alive to her rights, inter-
ests, safety, honor, and glory than myself;
and, whatever fate befalls us, earnestly hope
that we shall be saved from the worst of all
calamites, internal divisions, contentious, and
strlfes. The great and leading object aimed
at by me in Milledgevlle, was to produce har-
mony on a right line OF policy. II tho
worst comes to the worst, as it may, and our
State has to quit the Union, it is of the utmost
importance that all our people should be unit
ed cordially in this course. This, feel con-
fdent, can only be effected on the line of pol
icy indicated. But candor compels me to
say that 1 am not without hopes that our
rights may be maintained, and our wrongs be
redressed, in the Union. If this can be done,
it is my earnest wish. think, also, that il is
the wish of majority of our people. If, af-
ter making an effort, we shall fail, then all
our people will be united in making or adop-
ting the last resort. the ssUlfiurd ratio regum."
l.
prehension as TO the ultimate results. When
the Union is discovered, if of necessity it
must be, see at present but little prospect Of
good government afterwards. At the North.
L feel confident, anarchy will soon ensue.
And whether we shall be better of 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 con-
troled, and the men who begin Them, even
for the best purposes and objects, seldom end
them. .ET.st g.
The American Revolution of 1776 was one
of the few exceptions tc this remark that the
history of the world furnishes. Human pas
sions are 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 be-
come the victims. This has been the his
tory of the downfall of all republics. The
selfish, the ambitious, and the bad win gener-
ally take the lead. When the moderate men,,
who are patriotic, have gone as tar as they
think right and proper, and propose to recon-
struct, then will be found class below Them,
governed by no principle, but personal objects,
who will be for pushing matters further and
further, until those who sowed the wind will
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 nature, and no
wise man should condemn them. To tear
down and build up again are very different
things; and before tearing down ever bad
Government, We should first see good pros
pect for building up better. These are my
views, candidly given. If there is one senti-
ment in my breast stronger than all others, it
is an earnest desire for the peace, prosperity,
and happiness of our people-that peace, pros
perity, and happiness which wise and good
Government alone can secure. / have no OBJ
ject, wish, desire, or ambition beyond this;
and if l should in any respect err IN erdeav-
oring to attain this object, it will be an error
of the head and not of the heart.
With great personal esteem and respect,
remain yours, truly, ALEX. III. STEPHENS.