The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-04-23
Nirhntunn pispatrb.
sereaads 70 vies-Presiden, stephens.

SRroWo00 10 vtCesffeet0eut Stcpueuts
Last night, at the hour Of so'ciock large
number Of citizens congreeated In front OF the |
Exchange Hotel, with the First Regiment |
Band, and serenaded the Hon. ALEXANDER
II. STEPHENS, Vice President Of the Confede- |
rate States Of America The distinguished |
gentleman was introduced to the throng by |
Mayor MAYO and received with hearty cheers |
In response, Mr.. SrxrHKss returned his ac-
ACCOMPLISHMENTS for the warmth of the person |
al greeting. and his mos. profound thanks lot |
Il a. the represen tative Of the Confederate
States, lie spoke Of the rejoicing the seces-
s,on Of Virginia had caused among her South
arm sisters. Her people would feel Justified II
they cculd hear II 40 he had. He would not
sp.ak of the States who were out, but those
who vere in, North Carolina was out, and
did not know exactly how she got out. The
arss that were blazing here he had seen all
along his track from Montgomery to Rich
moud Al Whining ton, N. o., he had counted
on one street, twenty flags Of the Confederate
States.
The news from Tennessee was equally
cheering--there the mountains were on IRE.
Some Of the States still hesitsted, but soon
all would be in Tennessee was no longer In
the late Union. She was out by resolu tons
Of her popular assemblies, in Memphis and
other cities. Kentucky would soon be out.
Her people were moving. Missouri-who
could doubt the stand she would take, when
her Governor, In reply to LIScoLS's insoient
proclamation, had said, "You shall have no
troops for the furtherance Of your illegal,
unchristian and dkabolical schemes - Mis-
souri, will soon add another star to the South
ern galaxy. whare Maryland is, you all
know. The first Southern blood had bean
shed on her soil, and Virginia would neysr
stand idly by and see her citizens shot down.
The cause of Baltimore was the cases OF the
whole South. He said the cause we were en-
gagged in was that which attached people 10
the old Constitution of the late United States
it was the cause of civil religious, and con-
stitutional liberty. Many Of us looked at that
Constitution the anchor OF safety In
Georgia, the people had been attached to the
previous Union, but the Constitution which
governed it was framed by Southern talent
and understanding. Assaults had been made
on it ever since 1t was established-lateiy,
latitudinous construction had been made by
tho North, while we Of the South sought TO
interpret it as it was-advocating strict con-
struction State rights, the right of the people
to rule, ETC. He spoke of all the fifteen South
ern States as advocating this construction
was to initiate revolution-and the Northern
States had done this.
The Constitution framed at Montgomery
discarded the obsolete ideas of the old Con-
stitution, but had preserved its better por-
ton, with some notifications suggested by
the experience of the past, and it had been
adopted by the Confederated States, VINO
would stand to it, The old Constitution had
been made an engine of power to crush out
liberty; that of the Confederated States, to
preserve it. The old Constitution was i'm
proved in our hands, and those living under
iuhad like the Phoenix, risen from the ashes
The revolut ton lately begun did not affect
&lone property, but liberty. He alluded to
LIxcoLx's call for rs, 900 volunteers and said
he could find no authority in the old Consti.
tuition for such a fragrant abuse of power
His second proclamation had stigmatized as
pirates all who sailed in letters,of marGue;
this was also in violation OF the Constitution,
which alone gave Congress that power
What had the friends of liberty to hope for
beginning in usurpation, where would he
end You were, however, said he, no longer
under the rule of this tyrant. With strong
arms and stout hearts You have now resolved
to stand in defence of liberty. The Confede-
rate States had but asserted their rights
They believed that their rulers derived theiI
Just powers from the consent of the governed
No one had right to deny the existence of thu
sovereign right of secession. Our people die
not want to NEEDLE with the Northern
States-only wanted the latter to let then
alone. When did Virginia ever ask the assist
ance of the General Government
If there is sin in our institutions, we bea
the blame-and will stand acquitted by natu
We stand upon the law of God and Nature
The Southern States did not wish resort /,
arms after secession. Mr.. STEPHENS alluded
to the negotiations between Maj. ANDERSON
and the authorities of the Confederate States
to demonstrate the proposition. History, ht
said, if rightly written, would acquit us of
desire to shed our brothers blood.
The law of necessity and of right com PEELED
MS to act as we did. He had reason to believe
that the Creator smiled on it. The Fedora
nag was taken down without the loss of a sin
gle life. He believed that Providence would
be with US and bless us to the end. We haC
appealed to the God Of BATTLES for the Just
ness of our cause. Madness and folly rulet
at Washington Had it not have been so
several of the States would have been in tn,
old Union for year to come. The Gods nrs
made mad those they would destroy. Mary
land would join us, and may be, ere long, tn
principles that WAsHISaTON fought for migh
be again administered in the city that Dor
his name Every son of the South, from
the Potomac to the Rio Grande, SHOULD
rally to the support OF Maryland
If LINCOLN quits Washington as ignominous
" AZ he entered it, Cops will will have bee
accomplished. The argument was now OK
hausted. Be prepared; stand to your arms
defend ysur wives and firesides. He allude
10 thu momentous consequences of the issu
involved. Rather than be conquered, lie
eyery second man rally to drive back the in
yader. The conflict may be terrible, but tn
victory will be ours. Virginians, said he, 20
deht for the preservation Of your sacre
rights-the land Of PATRICK HRSkY-to kee
from dissertation the tomb of WAsHIsGTos
the graves of MADISON, JEFFERSON, and a
you hold most dear.
Three cheers were given for Mr. STEPHgSs
and three for JEFFERSON DAVIS. The citizen
repaired to the Spotswood House to serenad
Col. LIE. Mayor MAYO appeared, and re
GREETED that gentlemans absence /; but havin
been appoin ted General Of all the land force
Of Virginia, he was then consulting with tn
Executive a. to the proper meas ures to be pull
susd.
The Hon. THos. s. FLouRSor and others a
forwards addressed the crowd.
The Prisoners.
We understand that the Naval officers, no,
prisoners here were arrested in an atteml
70 blow up the United States Navy-Yard 4
Portsmouth.
We take 1t for gran ted that no prisoners wi