The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-09-14
NEW SERIES-NO. 347.
Alex. H. stephens on the stump.

This gifted orator addressed an immense
audience of ladies and gentlemen of Angus
ia, Georgia, on the first of September. We
find the following telegraphic abstract of
his speech, in the Herald:
Mr.. Stephens said he appeared reluctantly
before the people, and only did so because
he could not refuse the invitation of his old
constituents. The signs of the times por-
tend evil. Everything seems tending to
national disruption and general anarchy.
Whether this tendency was to be arrested
depended on the virtue, intelligence and
patriotism of the people of all parts of the
country in the present great crisis. He was
for Douglas and johnson, the regular nom
inees. Whether Douglas received two.
thirds of the electoral vote or not, accord
ing to the usages of the party he received
the two-thirds vote of the Convention. The
two-thirds rule was adopted upon parlia-
mentary understanding, such as are provi-
ded by the Constitution to pass law over
the veto of the President. Any other con-
struction is impracticable. Whether Doug
las got two hundred and twelve votes as
asserted on one side, or one hundred and
fifty-lour, as alleged, on the other, he Doug.
las) received more than two-thirds vote
after the seceders left. He (Stephens) sup
ported the ticket because the candidates on
it supported the time-honored platform of
non-intervention, the only principle which
can preserve the Union. The objections
urged against Douglas by the seceders were,
that he refused to say that it was the duty
of Congress to do what they would not do
themselves. Douglas refused to say that it
was the duty of Congress to pass laws to
protect Slavery in the Territories !; hence
they oppose him and refuse to vote for such
law themselves. MIR. Stephens defended
Douglas against the charge that be would
not yield to the decision of the Supreme.
Court, and said that Douglas agreed with
every principle decided in the Dred Scott
case, but also insisted that the point, how
far Territorial Legislature might consttu-
tionaliy regulate slavery, had not been deci-
ded. No case involving this principle had
been before the Court. The position of
Douglas is that Of perfect equality between
the citizens of all the States with respect to
the rights OF person aud property Mr..
Douglas believed that Territorial Legisla.
ture might, by system of laws, virtually
exclude slavery. He (Stephens) differed
with Mr.. Douglas on this point, but it was
a matter of no vital or essential importance,
because if the majority of the people Of
Territory opposed slavery it would not 60
there. He saw no injury to the South re-
sulting from it. He believed slavery will
go to the extent of the capacity for it, and
that no law of Congress or a Territorial
Legislature can extend it beyond this. He
dwelt upon the Union and the Importance
of preserving it. 1t was the best Govern
ment of tie world, or that had ever been es.
tablished. If it fails, we shall never see its
like again. He called on the patriots of all
sections to unite to save it, The Union has
enemies at the North and South, but be
(Stephens) was not one of them. He knew
Mr.. Breckinridge's ability aud patriotism,
and be would have sustained him had he
been nominated by the Democratic Conven-
ton; but his present position divides the
party, and increases the chances OF the Re.
publican candidate. He did not regard
Mr.. Breckenridge as disunionist, but his
running endaDgers the Union notwithstand,
ing, and he has no chance of an election be.
fore the people. --