Red Wing sentinel. [volume] (Red Wing, M.T. [i.e. Minn.]) 1855-1861, 1861-02-20
SPEECH or ALEX. II. STEPHENS

PEECH OF ALEX. IL. STEPHENS:
| We give below the speech Of, Alex.
EIH. Stephens, Vice President Of tn.
Southern Confederacy, in response To
a aiserenadc in honor: Of his election.
Although we meet as strangers
from different, independent States, we
are once more citizens of a common
country. Allow me briefly and sim
cercly to return my young friends
thanks for this compliments: The
state Of my health and voice, and night
air, apart from other considerations,
prevent me from doing more. >. This
Us not tho time or place to discuss, the
great qustion now pressing tho public
councils. 1t is sufficient. to say that
this day a new Republic, has been
formed-the confederate States of
America have ushcrea into existence
by taking their places among the ma
tions of the earth, under a temporary
PROVISIONAL government it is true, but
soon to be one of 4 permanent ,charac-
ter, which, while it surrcnders no right
and liberties will secure them more
perfectly. We trust for peace, sect:
Irity and traquillity, that ought to be
the object of all governments, What
lis the future of this new government?
The fate Of this new Republic will de-
pend upon ourselves. Six, States only
at present constitute it; but six states
yet appear in our constellation; but the
pei mancnt government may prove =
greater number than the original
thirteen Of the original Union; INith
more than three times their population,
wealth and power. With suth a be-
ginning, the prospects Of, the future
presents strong hopes of,he patriotic
heart, for bright prospects in our ca
rcer; but what the, nature, shall DO
depends upon ourselves and those who
come after MS. Our. Republic and all
republics to be permanent and. pros
lperons must be supported by the vir-
tue, intelligence; integrity and Patri-
otism of the people. These are the
corner stones upon which the temple
of liberty must be constructed to stand
securely, and permanently res ting our
trust on these We need fear nothing
from without or within. With "A clim-
ate unsurpassed by any on earth; with
s.ap lies and productions which control
the commerce of the world; with in
si., tiohs, So far as regards our organic
and social policy, in strict conformity
to nat hrc and the laws of. the Creator,
whether rcadin tho book ofinspiration
or the great book of manifestations
around us, we have all the natural Gle.
mcnts essential TO the attainment, in
the highest degree, ofpowcr and glory.
These institutions have been assailed,
and it is our mission to vindicatc the
great truth on which they rest, and
With tho m exhibit the highest tyre of
civilization which it is possible for
human society to reach. In doing this
o"r policy should be marked Nv i
desire to preserve and maintain, peace
with all states and people: If this
cannot be done, lot not The fault be at
our doors. Willie xc sh0nld make ac-
gressions on none Ne should he pre-
pared to rcpcl those made by others,
let them come, from whatever quarter
they may. We ask of others simply to
let us alone and to be permitted to look
after our safety, sechrity and happiness
in own way, without molesting
or giving oAsnccto othcrpcoplc. Let
then peace, fraternity and libc, al
commercial relations be our MOTTO
With these p:inci lies. without envy
towards ether states in the line ut