Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-04-05
Speech of Hon. A. H. Stephens.

$1,000 N~' - tft+~+N1 49, o N'"fNN~-
of the Confederate States, lately deliver
ed long and elaborate speech in Savan
nah, in which he quite freely discussed
the constitution, the principles and pros
poets of the new confederacy. The new
constitution he infinitely compared will
that of the "old Union" claiming tia
the former was, on the whole, although
Objectionable in some respects, a de-
cidod Improvement, The "old thorn o.
the tariff which occasioned so much
irritation in the old body polite" he says
" is removed forever from the new" while
the subject of internal improvements is
put at rest. River and harbor improve.
ments will have to be betrayed by the
commerce of the places W hich are
benefited by them. Another improve
ment is the provision giving cabinet min
listers seats in Congress, by which they
will be enabled to explain and defend
their plans. The extension of the Pres
idental term to six years, he also consid-
ers an advance upon the old constitution.
The principal Improvement, however,
seems to be that the new constitution is
based on slavery. On this point Mr..
Stephens said
"The new Constitution has put at rest
forever, all the agitating questions rela-
ting to our peculiar stitutions-African
slavery as it exists amongst us--the pro-
per status of the negro in our form of
civilization. This was the immediate
cause Of the late rupture and present
revolution. jefferson, in his forecast, had
anticipated this as the rock upon which
the old Union would split He was
right. What was conjecture with him,
is now a realized fact. But whether he
fully comprehended the great truth upon
which that rock stood and stands, may
be doubted. The prevailing ideas enter
tanned by him and most of the leading
statesmen at the time of the formation Of
the oldcouslitution,wer that the enslave-
ment Of the African was in violation OF
the laws Of nature that it was wrong
in principle, socially, morally, and politi-
cally. 1t was an whitney knew not well
how to deal with, but the general opinion
of the men of that day was that somehow
or other in the order Of Providence the
institution would be eranescent and pass
away. This idea, though not incorpora-
ted in the Constitution, was the prevail
ing idea at the time. The Constitution
it is true, secured every essesial guar
ranty to the institution while it should
last, and hence the argument can be just
ly used against the constitutional guar
rantees thus secured, because Of the com
mon sentiment of the day. These ideas.
however, were fundamentally wrong
They rested upon the assumption Of the
equality of races. This was an error 1t
was a sandy foundation, and the idea Of
a government, built upon it, when the
storm came and the wind blew, it fell
Our new government is founded upon
exactly the opposite idea; its founda-
tons are laid, lbs corner stone rests upon
the grea. truth the negro is not equal to
The white man. That slayery-subordi-
nation to the superior races his natu-
raj and moral condition. (Applau.e.)
This, new government, Is the first, IL
the history Of the wo-ld, based upon tins
great physical, philosophical and moral
truth. This truth has been slow in the
process of its development, like all other
truths in the various departments OIL
science. It has been so even amongst /
US. Many who hear me, perhaps, can
recollect well that this truth was not gem
orally admitted even within their day.
The errors of the past generation still /
chung to many as late as twenty years |
ago. Those at the North who still cling
to these errors with a zeal above knowl-
edge, we justly denomiaate fanatics. All T.
fanaticsm springs from alteration Of The .
mind, from a defect in reasoning 1t is I
a species Of insanity. One of the most
striking characteristics Of insanity in
many instances, is forming correct con
illusions from fancied or erroneous pre-
misses. So with the auti-siavery fanat-
les their conclusions are right, if .heir
premises are. They assume that the ne
gro is equal, and hence conclude that he
is entitled to equal privileges and rights
with the white man. If their premises
were correct, their conclusion would be
logical and just; but their premises be-
ing wrong, their whole argument falls.
1 recollect once of having heard a
Gentleman from one of the Northern
States, of great power and ability, an
lounGingi in the House of Representatives,
With imposing effect, that " Of the South
Nonld be comnelled. ultimately. IN vinld