Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-03-20
SPEECH OF vICR-PHEsIDRNTs STE.


PHENs.
From the Augusta Coustitutoualissl
As we stated in cur paper Of yesterday, Mr..
Stephens was welcomed BY q salute from the
battery OF the Washington artillery, and sub
sequently salsted by the Clinch rifles, on
Thursday night last Although the arrival OF
Mr. Stephens was comparatively but little
known, large number OF citizens assembled
around the Planters Botel, ,'aud loudly eheered
the distinguished gentleman, who appeared
Hpon the balcony of.the hotel, and made brief
speech. We regret that we cannot give a full
report OF r. ss, though entirely of hand, &.
waFlone Of Mr.. Stephens best oratoriesl efforts
We can merely give the substance Of bis re-
marks: Hsthanksd the Cliuch rifles for the
honor which they had done bin, and said that
be appreciated It the mere hishlF because Il
was Totally Unexpected He believed that It
was an indication OF popular approval Of The
great events which had recently trsnspirea
around us, and be was rsjoiced to be able to
declare here that bis confidence in the intelli-
gence and patriotism OF the American people
bad not been misplaced. In the short space Of
thirty DAYS, we have thrown of one Govern
ment and established another. That was no
easy task. As foT himself, be bad been life
long Union man; but notwithstanding this,
there was not day in the past ten years wden
he would not have willingly parted from the
u
evil consequences would result The act was
like the drawing Of deesyed tooih-it wss
painful operation-but Fhsn It was accom-
plished, the patient felt relieved. The Union
bad decaved it no longer served the purpose
for which It was formed, and we withdrew
from e. The tooth is out, said the speaker,
ard feel much relieved.
OF the provisional government which we
have formed. be would say nothing at present /;
but would take the occasion to point some Of
the advantages % the new permanent Consti-
tuition Most Of bis hearers bad, doubtless,
read it but be would ask their attention to
some OF the improvements which It contained
in comparison with the old Constitution.
In tbe first place, Congress is forbidden from
fostering one brsnch Of Industry at the expense
Of another. Thus, the merchant, the meehan-
ic, The business man, and the laborer, are al
placed upon the same footing in that respect
one interest has no more claim TO The protec-
ton Of the Government than another; and
therefore, honest labor con now work its own
reward by energy, industry, and perseverance,.
This be considered a wise provison-it settled
The question OF protection forever.
To the second place, the question Of inter-
nal improvements was also settled. Under
the old Constitution, the improvements in one
State were made often at the expense on an
other. Thus, for instance, Georgia, which
had acquired the title Of Empire State on ac-
count Of her numerous improvements, sd to
pay several millions Of dollars to the General
Government, by way OF duties, on the very
iron which she used in those improvements ;
and out Of these duties money was taken to
improve Northern hsrbors and rivers. This
was manifestly unjust, and was entirely obvi-
ated By the new Constitution. Under this one
each section can make its own improvements
and is authorised 10 levy tax upon those who
are benefited by such improvements, Thus,
if Savannah desires to improve her harbor, she
can do 80, and then levy a tax or duty upon
the commerce benefited BY such improvements.
II Mobile or New Orleans, or any other port,
desire 70 make improvemsnis, they al have
The came privilege, and hence. Georgia will
have 10 pay for improving Mobile hsrbor,
and riae gertG 10 word, those who receive
the benefits, will have TO pay for them. This
provision be considered wise and Just
In the third plaee-and this Is a vs-y impor-
tent Improvement upon the old Constitution
the public money is protected. We have been
accustomsd, in the old couatry, to hsar the
Presidents charged with the sxtrsVsgsnee Of
the public expenditures. Thus. we had heard
Of the exiravsganees Of John Quincy Adams,
Of Andrew Jackson, OF Martin Van Buren,
and finally, Of James Buchanan; but thess ex-
travsgances were not really ehargssble 10 the
Presidents. Their estimates Of the probable
expenditures had fallen short Of the reality:
thus, in some cases, the expenditures had in
creased two OF three millions over the esii-
mates-snd, 10 The case Of Mr.. Buchanan, as
much as twenty mililons- His estimstes were
sixty millions, and vet Congress had sppro.
priated slightly millions. i was generally the
fault Of the Congress, and the result CT log
rolling BY the members. As, for instance, on
the last night Of q sfssion, it frequently hap
pened that, 10 the hurry Of huishing the busi-
ness Of The session, and passing the sppropri-
alton bill. some member would succeed IN
fastening upon It an appropriation ol q mil
lion here, and another million somewhere
else-all done without reflection, and often by
an irresponsible body Of msn-men whose time
Of service vas completed, and who woald,
/ perhaps, never return to Congress. But all
/ this is obvisted BY the neR Constitution. Tbs
2 Congress Of the Confederate States car only
make such appropriation ~ the President
/ recommends, or, II they exceed these & must
I Be done by a vote Of tw l-thirds Of both Houses
Tha3, you see, my colntrvnen, that very
/ Important point is gained. You have the pub
| lie treasury well guarded, and you can bod thl
/ President responsible At The ballot box, If h'
! rashes the Government inso cxtravagant ex
/ psnditurss Il makes no difference how muei
business a merchant transscts-no differences
! kow much profit srises--if there are ton man
! tA1ds IN ihs till, be Is hound 10 be ruined. Al
4 rcsntils men, you viii understand a. 4 ap