The eastern clarion. [volume] (Paulding, Miss.) 1837-1863, 1861-03-29
Mr.. stephsn. a. Auru.ta.

We copy from the ConsEt,ffioualist the
conclusion of the speech of Hon. A. H.
Stephens delivered at Augusta, while en-
route to the State Convention at Savan-
nah:
But, my countrymen, l shall not de-
tain you much longer. We have formed
Government for ourselves which pos
sesses in itself all the elements of gran
deur and prosperity; with a climate I'M
surpassed. Soil richly productive, and a
people possessing the most conservative
character, we cannot fail to increase
rapidly. / cannot point TO you now the
glorious vision which rises before my
view; but, my countrymen, if we are on
" true TO ourselves and to our principles
II we will observe and practice conserva-
tism, virtue and intelligence-thereis no
calculating the result of our experiment.
We are small now-that is, in the eyes of
some-but, in my judgment, not so small,
alter all. We commenced with six States,
and we have seven already; and, besides
this, we have a population of five mil
llons-more than the thirteen colonies
possessed when they separated from
Great Britain, and fought the Revolution
airy War. But admitting that our coun-
try Is comparatively small-it will not al
ways be so. Looking far to the South,
we see Mexico. Central America, the
| tropics, and the isles Of the Caribbean
| Sea-all gravitating towards us. To the
| North. there is North Carolina. Tennes-
see, Kentucky, Virginia, Arkansas and
Mlssouri-all gravitating towards US. And
we shall not stop here-even the great
North west is gfavitating towards US; and
| as the act of disintegration progresses In
the old Confederacy, States will be broken
up. and may come in to us. when they see
that we possess the best of Governments.
] say, my countrymen, all this may occur,
II we are but true to ourselves and the
great principles upon which our Constitu-
ton is founded. But let me say here,
that if any of those States desire to join
Us, they must first prove that they are
worthy to associate with US that they
have changed the erroneous principles
which they now hold, and take upon
themselves the true principles which we
maintain. If they do not. we will moi
let them come.
Then let me exhort you, my county
men, to practice virtue, patriotism, intel
ligence, patience, forbearance, and con
eiliation; let me ask you to stand firm il
the cause Of truth. Of right. aQd justice
and We will have glorious future before
US. And who knows but that in a shor
time that flag tpointing to the Southern
Confederacy flag borne by the Clinct
Rifles, and fiuttering TO the breeze /;
may wave in lands a thousand mile
away-and where people do not now ever
dream of il. And here let me express t,
you my admiration for that flag. Though
we have not parted from our principles
/ =.
there may, trust we never shall IL i
we'll. therefore, that we should have re
tanned some of the emblems of the OLE
fiag-it is well we have retained tn
stars. The stars were always dear to me
for, like the stars fixed in the frmamen
of Heaven, they are the embiems o
stability, and | sincerely trust that tn
stars upon that flag may also be emblem
of the stability and durability of our ne'
government.
/ must confess, my fellow-citizens, that
so far. everything has succeeded beyon
my most sanguine expectations; AM
everything is now favorable to a peaceful
solution of our difficulties. Until a yer
few days ago. / thought that bloodshe
was inevitable but am happy to inforr
you that when left Montgomery, it wa
the general impression that Fort Sumte
would be evacuated within ten days.
may be mistaken in this but ! give it
you as the honest conviction of my jud,
! ment. do not know whether this is tn
result of desire for peace on the pan
: of Mr.. Lincoln, or whether it is the n
, suit of inevitable necessity; but | feG
confident it will be done--and ! care No
which horn of the dilemma he takes. w
want peace-we have nothing against ou
/ Northern brethren-we have left them
Z but we desire to live on terms of peaC
I with them. And ! hope we shall.
! will be great moral spectacle, and a
) example to the world. which / shout
> like to witness. A great people THROWN
: off one Government and taking o
: another, without war. without bloodsheC
E and without anarchy. | hope it will |
= so. But w2ile we want peace, we do M
> intend to purchase it at the sacrifice
e truth. of right, and of justice. No, m
: countrymen. if war must come let us |
: prepared for it-perhaps that is even th
. better way to avoid tin the language
1 Washington, in times of peace we shoul
prepare for war. And while | hope an
A trust that we shall have peace; yet, gel
e tlemen of the Clinch Rifles, it is well TIL
> you should continue to bear your arm
t and keep your powder dry.
r And now, my cOuntrymen, / propoI
{ that we here tonight ratify the new Co
}. stitutien. Therefore. ask that all tho
4 in favor of it will say, AYE"
, A universal shout here went up
4 favor Of the Constitution.
+ Mr.. Stephens concluded by saving
b And now, fellow-eitizens, / propose thrl
e cheers for the new Constitution, and b
n you all good night.
, The three cheers were then given with
r hearty good will three more for Vic
It President Stephens; and three more.
J. the assembled crowd for the ClinC
II Rifles.