Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-03-21
SPEECH BY HON. A. II. STEPHENS

Hon A. Fl. Stephens, Vice President of the Confed-
rate States was in Atlanta, Georgia, few days ago.
where he was welcomed by an enthusiastic gathering Of
the citizens The Atlanta Conederacy says Expecta
ton was on tptoe and the whole population were out
to meet their favore. We do not remember ever be-
fore 10 have seen so large asemblage of our citizens
brought together The numerous military companies in
full dress and the lire departments with gay uniforms
and brilliant torches were out in full force
In response to complimentary address by the Mayor,
Mr. Stephens said;
The history of the world did not present such another
social phenomenon as the existing revolution in the cot
ton St,tes vast empire was divided government
thrown eff a new system nuagnraed n juXtsposition TO
the old and without drop OF blood the slightest social
disorder or physical suffering All had to do said
the speaker to perputuate his happy state of things was
TO be true to our own honor and fame. We
Upioss but now we all Secessonsts and if
tinued to display all the world the proper union OF
hearts and purpose there could be such word fail
for u.s. But in most eloquent tones he declared II dis
sensons sprneng from venal and selfish ambitions If
upreasoning aud captious anndng should discourage
the true friends CT Southern liberty, "he could prophesy
no good for us"
Mr. Stephens said that he had once venerated the old
Constitution under which he had been born and did still
feel great respect for it, But upon dispassonate CON-
parson of the Two ConsiudoDs, he did not hesitate to
declare that the an Improvement on the old
He went on TO state that he thought the mode of appro
priang money when brought into the Treasury by taxa
ton as provided for by the Constitution OF the Conede
rate States decided improvement on that of any gov
ernment whatever The labor he said, not much
to get money into the pgbc chest 20 protect il from
transportation after it was raised. BY the Con-
siitution not dollar could be drawn from the public
Treasury unless by a two-thrds vote of Congress An
exception to this rule only made when the President
should report Congress that pressing public necessity
and exIgeucy called for it, Another grand difference be-
tween the old and Constitution was this said
Mr. Stephens: In the old Constitution the fathers
looked upon the fallacy Of the equality of races
as underlying the foundations Of republican liber
ty Jefferson, Madison and Washington, and many
Others were tender of the word "savc" in the organic
law and all looked forward to the time when the
institution Of slavery should be removed from our midst
a trouble and stumbling block The deinsion could
not be traced any the component parts Of the South
ern Constitution. In that instrument solemnly dis
carded the pestient heresy of fancy politicians that all
men, of all races were equal and We had made African
inequality aud subordinaiion, and the equality Of white
men, the chief corner Of the Southern Republic
With an honest administration OF government found
ed Mr Stephens said the world yet to see in Us the
model nation of history. Restore peace, people
quietly TO work their destiny rou this point of de-
parture and would go on from one step Of glorious
development to another. We would expand Southwark
and Westward to the East and tn the Worth God ior
bid said gallant GeCesso1ss,l until there would be
complaint about territory Even now galaxy num-
berei seven stars" and lie that well AnoSn cluster We
would soon have the admrng gaze Of the world to fol-
low
Mr.. Stephens said before he closed he would make
prediction that might take in the way of good
if they wished He gave it his opiung that before
Saturday night We would hear of the surrender of For;
Sumter What the labors and science OF General Beau
regard had done in convincing Major Anderson that his
position was not mpreguable, he would not undertake
to say. But let this prediction oct as it may Of
thing might ,est assured that the forts would be
given up or hey would be taken away Mr.. Stephens
seems to be satisfied that should have peaceable
separation from the North but lie said general pre-
paraon ard readiness to meet different result might
have bad great deal TO do with such consummalion.
lie said we al desired neacelon5 OF us iet that war
and It's suderngs and distractions light things but
yet We were prepared for While we said to the
North so in peace be prosperous aud happy YOU
may, while Ye will &c the saue yet Ra,ing once sad
to tie North, you mast not tramplc and interfere
with rs sal you chant After invoking fra
erna and cordial union Of all hearts in defence and cup
port Of the honor and freedom Of people, in most
touching language Mr.. Stephens closed by proposing
three cheers for the Confederate States. The stirring
eloquence OF the speaker had sprung the hearts and
voices Of the crowd foc that cheering and it given
with WILL three cheers for the Confederate Stetc1 oi
America, and three qet ..gsr, the Provis-
ional Vice President