Red Wing sentinel. [volume] (Red Wing, M.T. [i.e. Minn.]) 1855-1861, 1861-02-20
SPEECH OF. ALEX. Il. STEPHENS

SPEECH OF; ALEX. Il. STEPHENS.
We give below the speech of Alex.
II. Stephens, Vice President Of the
Southern Confcdcracy, iii response to
4 sercnadc in honor of his election.
Although = we meet. as strangers
from different, Independent States, NO
are once more citizens Of common
country. Allow me briefly and sim
cerely ITO return >my. yonng friends
thanks for this compliment. THE
state ofmy health and voice, and night
air, apart from other considerations,
prevent 5me from doing more. This
is not the time Or place to discuss the
great qustion now pressing the public
councils. Ii is. sufficient to say that
this day q new Republic has been
formed-thc confederate States rof
America have usherca into existence
by taking their places amongst the ma
lions of the earth, under a temporary
provisional governmental is true, but
soon to be one of a permanent charac-
Ter, which, while it surrcnders no right
and liberties will secure them more
perfectly. We trust for peace, secu-
'rity and traqnillitv, TINT o,,ghtsto be
the object OF all governments. What
is the future of,his new government
The fate of this new Republic will de-
pend upon ourselves Six States only
at present Constituent; .sbutsix states
yet appear i'll our rconStel!ation; but the
permanent government may prove, =
erea,er number than, the, original
thirteen of the original Union, ,.with
more than three times their population,
wealth and: over. With; such q be-
ginning, the prospects Of the future
presents strong hopes of,he patriotic
heart, for. briyht<prospects in our ca
rcer; hui what the nature shall DO
depends upon ourselves and those who
come after us. Our Republic and all
republics to be permanent and pros
porous must be supported by the vir-
tue, intelligence, integrity and patri-
otism Of the people. These arc the
corner stones upon Which the temple
Of liberty must be cons truc,cd to stand
securely, and permanently rc:ting our
trust on these VIC need fear nothing
from without or Within With a clim-
ate unsurpassed By any on Garth; with
staples and productions whichcontrol
the commerce Of the world with in
si'rtions, so far as regards our organic
and social policy, in strict rconfol7ni,y
to nature and the laws ofthc Creator,
whether read IN tic book'of inspiration
or tic great book Of manifestations
around rs, we havcM i'll the natural clc-
mcnts essential. to the attainment, in
I'll" highest degree. ofpowcr and glory.
These institutions have been assailed,
aud it is our mission-to yindicate tho
great truth on which they rest, and
with thcm exhibit the highest tyre of
civilization which it is possible for
human scciety TO reach. In doing this
cur policy Should be marked by Is
desire to preserve and maintain peace
with all states and people. It this
cannot be done, let not the fault be at
our doors. While We should make ag-
gresslons Oh none we should be, pre-
pared to repcl''ose made by. others,
let them come, from whatever quarter
they may. We ask Of others simply to
Ictns alone and to be permitted to look
after cur safety, security and happiness
III own way, without .molcsting
or giving offence to otbcrpcople.. Let
then peace, fraternity and liberal
commercial relations bcsour motto
With these principles. without envy
towards e.Atr STATES IA. the lire Of