Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-03-28


NAB, AT TIE ATHENErM, TUESDAY EyESNe, MARcH
2lst, 1861.
reported for the Savannah Republican, ~
At half past seven O'Clock on Thursday evening,
the largest audience ever assembled at the Athe-
neum, were in the house. waiting most patiently for
the appearance of the Orator of the evening, Hon.
A. II. STEPHENS, Vice President of of the Confede-
rate States Of America The Committee, with in
vited guests, were seated on the stage when at the
appointed hour, the Hon. C. G. JOKES, Mayor, and
the speaker entered, and were greeted by the i'm
mense assemblage with deafsning rounds of APP
plause.
The Mayor then, in few pertinent remarks,
introduced Mr. STEPHENS stating that at the REQUEST
of number of the members of the Convention, and
citizens of Savannah, and tine State, now here he had
consented address them upon the present state of
public affairs.
Mr.. STEPHENS rose and spoke as follows:
Mr. Mayor, and Gentlemen Of the Committee and
Fslou citizens: For this reception you will please
accept my most profound aAd sincere thanks. The
compliment is. doubtless, intended as much, or
more, herhsps, in honor of the occasion, and my
public position connection with the great events
now crowding upon US, than to me personally, and
individually. 1t Is however, none the less appreci
ated by me on that account We are in the midst
of one of the greatest epochs of our history The
last ninety days will mark one of the most memora-
BILE eras in the history Of modern civilization.
There was general call from the outside Of the
building for the speaker to go out that there
more outside than in.
The Mayor rose, and requested silence at the
door, that Mr.. Stephens health would not permit
him to speak IN the open air. Mr. Stephens said he
would leave it to the audience, whether he should
proceed indoors or out. There was general cry
indoors as the ladies, q large number of whom were
present, could not hear outside.
Mr.. Stephens said that the accommodation of the
ladies would determine the question, and he would
proceed where he WAS At this point the uproar
and clamor outside greater still for the speaker
TO go out on the steps. This was quieted by Col.
Laston, Col Foreman, Judge Jackson. and Mr.. J.
W. Owens, going out and stating the facts of the
case to the dense mass of men, women and child
rem, who outside, entertaining them in short brief
speeches.
Mr.. Stephens all this while quietly sitting down
until the furer subsidized.
Mr.. Stephens rose and said, when perfect quiet is
restored shall proceed; cannot speak as long as
there is any noise or confusion. / shall take my
tine, feel though could spend the night with
yon, if necessary. loud applause.l livery much
regret that every one who desires cannot hear
what have to say, not that have any display to
make, anything very entertaining to present. but
such views as have to give, wish all not only in
this city, but in this State, and throughout Con-
federate Republic, could hear, who have desire to
hear them.
was remarking, that we are passing through
of the greatest revolutions in the annals of the
world seven States have, within the last three
months, thrown off an old Government and formed
a new. This revolution has been signslly marked,
up to this time, BY the fact of its having been
complished without the loss of a single drop of
blood. (Applause.) This new Constitution or form
of government, constitutes the subject to which
your attention will be partly invited.
In reference to it, make this first general re-
mark: 1t amply secures all our ancient rights,
franchises and privileges. All the great principles
Of magma chsrta are retained in it. No citizen is
deprived Of life, liberty or property, but by the
Judgment of his peers. under the laws of the land.
The great principle Of religious liberty.
which was the honor and pride of the old
Constitution, is still maintained and secu-
red. Ali the essentials of the old Constitu-
ton which have endeared it to the hearts of the
American people, have been preserved and perpet-
uated. (Applsuse.) Some changes have been
made-of these shall speak presently. Some of
these should have preferred not to have seen made
but these perhaps meet the cordial appreciation of
majority Of this audience, if not overwhelming
majority of the 1people of the Confederacy. OF
them therefore, viii not speak. But other impor-
tant changes do meet my cordial appreciation. They
form great improvements upon the old Constitution.
&c. taking the whole new Constitution, have no
hesitency in giving it my judgment, that it is de-
cidedly better than the old. (Applause.) Allow me
brify to allude 70 some of these improvements.
The question of building up class interest or foster
ing one branch Of industry to the prejudice of
another, under the exercise Of the revenue power,
which gave us so much trouble under the old Con-
sttutiop is put at rest forever under the new. We
allow the imposition of no duty, with view of
giving advantage TO one class of persons, in any
trade business, over those Of another ALL under
our system stand upon the broad PRINCIPLES Of
perfect equality. Honest labor and enterprise are
left free and unrestricted in whatever pursuit they
may be engaged in This subject came well nigh
causing rupture of the old Union, under the lead
of the gallant Palmetto State, which lies on our
border, in 1888.
This old thorn of the tariff which occasioned the
cause of much irritation in the old body polite,
is removed forever from the new. (Applause)
Again, the subject of internal improvements under
the power of Congress to regulate commerce, il
put at rest under our system, The power claimed
by constructions under the old Constitution was at
least doubtful oneit rested solely upon construc-
ton. We of the South, generally apart from con-
alterations of constitutional principles opposed its
exercise upon grounds of expediency and justice.
Notwithstanding this opposition, millions of money
in the common Treasury had been drawn for such
purposes. Our opposition sprung from no hostility
to commerce, all necessary aids for facilitating
il. With US it was simply question. upon tohonl
the burden should fall In Georgia. for Instance, we
had done as much for the of internal improve
ments as any other portion of the country, accord
out lines of railroads from thu seaboard to the
mountains; dug down the hills and filed up the val
eys at cost of not less than $25,000,O00. All this
was done to OF pup an outlet for our products of
the interior, those to the west of US, to reach
the marta of forld. No State was in greater
need of such fael Htes than Georgia, but had not
asked that these works should be made by appro-
priations out Of the common treasury The cost of
the grading, the superstruc and equipments of
our roads, Vss borne by those who entered upon
Me- r1cf nF
iron. no small item in the aggregate cost was borne
in the same way, but we were compelled to pay ID
to the common treasury several millions Of dollars
for the privilege of importing the iron after the
price was paid for it abroad What justuce was
there in taking this money, which our people paid
into the common treasury on the importation of our
iron and applying it to the improvement OF rivers
and harbors elsewhereg
The true principle is to subject commerce o.
every locality, TO whatever burdens may be neces
sary to facilitate it. If the Charleston harber needs
improvement let the commerce Of Charleston bear
the burden. If the mouth of the Savannah river has
to ecleared out let the seagoing navigation which
is benefited by it, bear the burden, So with the
mouths of the Alabama and Mississippi rivers. Just
as the products Of the interior, cur cotton, wheat
corn and other articles, have to bear the pecessary
rates Nf freight over our railroads to reach the
seas. This is again the broad principle of perfect
equalAE and justice. lApplause.) And it is speci-
ally held forth and established In our new Consti-
tuition.
Another feature to which viii aIlude ia that the
Constitution provides that the Cabinet Ministers
aad heads of Departments shall have the privilege
Of seats upon the floor of the Senate and House of
Representatives have the right to participate
in the debates and discussions upon the various sub
Jects Of administration, should have preferred
that this provision shenld have gone farther, and
allowed the Presidents to select his constitutional
advisers from the Senate and House Of Rapresentar
lives. That would have concerned entirely 70 the