Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-12-07
A Sensible Speech by u Southern
Man.

A Sensible speech by u Southern
Man.
Hoo. Alex. H. Stephens, one Of the ablest
Democrats Of the South, made speech in the
Hall Of the House of Representatives of
Georgia, on the 18th ult., in which he DIS
cussed the question Of proposed secession
with great eloquence and effect. 1t was
delivered at the request of the members OF
the Legislature. lie took strong grounds
against the threatened withdrawal Of Georgia
Il om the Coniederacy, and urged the Legis-
iature to take no step looking to that event,
without at least going back to the people and
learning Enthusiastically their will. Mr. Toombs
vas present, and frequently interrupted the
speaker, but the latter always had ready
answer, and in the best temper The follow
ing is what he says of Mr.. Lincoln's election
The first question that presents itself is,
shall the people Ut tue South secede from the
Union IN consequence OF the election OF Mr.
lincoln to the Presidency OF the United
States? My countrymeu, 1 tell you Jrankly,
ca'dadty and earnestly, that 1 do not tA,nk
that they ought. In my judgment, the cleo
tlon VI no man, cOnSttuLl0nally chosen to that
llgh office, Is Suthclent cause tor any State to
separate from the Union. 1t ought to stand
by and aid still in maintaining the Constitution
VI the country. 10 make point 0t resistance
70 the Government, to withdraw from 1t
because a man has been constltutionally
elected, puts us in the wrong. We are pledged
~ maintain the Constitution. many ot us
nave sworn to support 1t. Can we, therefore,
Tor the mere election of q man tO the presi-
dency, and that, too, in accorda &c with the
prescribed forms VI the Constitution. make a
point OF resistance " the Government, without
becoming the breakers Of that sacred lnstru-
nent ourselves, Withdraw ourselves from il?
would We not tie III the wrong! Whatever
fate is to betail this country, let it never be
laid to the charge OF the people OF the South,
and especially to the people Of Georgia, that
We were untrue to our national engagements.
Let the fault and the wrong rest upon others.
If all our hopes are to be blasted, it the Re-
public is to 20 dowr, let US be found to the
last moment standing on the deck, with the
Constitution OF the United States waving over
! our heads. Applause. Let the fanatics %
the North break the Constitution, ii such is
their fell purpose. Let tie responsibility be
upon them. shall speak presently more of
| their acts; but let not the South, let us not,
| oe the ones to commit the aggression. We
| went into the election with this people. The
result was different from what We wished; but
| the election has been conStitutionally held.
Were We to make point of resistance to the
government, and 90 out Of the UniQn on that
account, the record would be made up here
after against US.
But it is said Mr.. Lincoln's policy and
| principles are against the Constitution, and
that, if he carries them out, it will be de-
structive of our rights. Let US not anticipate
\ threatened evil. If he violates the Constr
J tuition, then will come our lime to act DO
| not let US break 1t because, !OrSooth, he may.
| If he does, that Is the time for us to strike.
| [ Applause. | think it would be injudlc,ous
and unwiSs to 90 this sooner. | 10 not an
ticipate that Mr.. Lincoln will do anything to
leoI ard our safety or security, whatever may
De his spirit to do it. for he is bound by the
constitutional checks which are thrown around
aim, which at this time renders him powerlesS
to do any great mischief. This shows the
wisdom of our system. The President of the
United States is no Emperor, no Dictator he
is clothed with no absolute power. lie Can
DO nothing, unless he is backed by the power
IN Congress- The House of Representatives
is largely in the majority against him. In
the Senate he will also be powerless. There
will DE majority Of for against him. This
after the loss of Bigler, Fitch and others, by
the unfortunate dissensions of the Natlona
Democratic party in their States. MIR. Lincoln
) cannot appoint an officer without the consent
l E ~. H,I,
without the same consent He will be in the
condition of George Ill. the embodiment o
Torylsm), who had to ask the Wings t.
appoint his Ministers, and was compelled tt
receive Cabinet utterly opposed to his views
and so Mr.. Lincoln will be compelled to ask
of the Senate to choose for him Cabinet, i
the Democracy of that body choose to pu
him on such terms. He will be compelled t
do this or let the Government stop, if the
National Democratic mentor that is thell
name at the North-the conservative men il
the Senate -shoul so determine. Then, now
can Mr.. Lincoln obtain Cabinet which
would aid him, or allow him to violate the
Constitution
why, then, say, should we disrupt the
ties of this Union, when his hands are tied
when he can do nothing against usf have
heard it mooted that no man in the State O
Georgia, who is true to her interests, couc
hold office under Mr.. Lincoln. But, I ask
who appoints the office? Not the Presiden
alone; the Senate has to concur. No mar
can be appointed without the consent of the
Senate. Should any man then refuse 10 ,,od
Office that was given to him by Democratic
Senates fMr. Toombs interrupted, and said
if the Senate was Democratic, it was for Mr.
Breckinridge] Well, thep, continued Mr.. s.,
apprehend no man could bejustly considered
untrue to the interests Of Georgia, or incu,
any disgrace, if the interests Of Georgia
required it, to hold an office under Lincoln
which Breckenridge Senate had given him,
even though Mr.. Lincoln should be President
Prolonged applause, mingled with Interrupt
tons. y
B"Mr. Lincoln is not the only success
full President, al candidate who has received
minority of the popular vote. In the same
category were John Quincy Adams, Van
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