Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-04-27
ELOQUENT SPEECH OF MR. STEPHENS.

ed the Hon. Alexander II. StephenS Ice PRESIDENT
of the Confederated States Of America. The dis
tingushed gentlemen introduced to the throng
by Mayor Mayo, and received with hearty cheers.
In response, says the Dispatch, Mr.. Stephens re-
turned his Acknowledgements for the warmth of the
personal greeting, and his most profound thanks for
it the representative of the Confederate States
He spoke of the rejoicing the secession OF Virginia
had caused among her Southern sisters. Her peo-
pie wonld feel justified if they could hear it as he
had. He would not speak of the States who were
out but those who were in. North-Carolina was
ont and did not know exactly how she got out
The fires that were blazing here he had seen all
along his track from Montgomery to Richmond At
Wilmington n. c. he had counted. street,
twenty flags of the Confederate States.
The news from Tennessee was equally cheering
there the mountains were on fire. Some OF the
States still hesitated, but all would be in
Tennessee was no longer in the late Union. She
was out by resolutions Of her popular assemblies,
in Memphis and other cities Kentucky would soon
he ont. Her people were moving. Missouri-who
could doubt the stand she would take, when her
Governor in reply to Lincolns insolent proclama-
tion had said "You shall have troops for the
furtherance Of your Illegal unchrStian and diaboli
car schemes" Missouri will soon add another star
tn the Southern galaxy Where Maryland is, YOU
all know. The first Southern blood had been shed
on her soil and Virginia would never stand idly by
and see her citizens shot down. The cause of Bal
timorc was the cause of the whole South lie said
the cause engaged in was that which at
tached the people to the old Constitution Of the late
United States-it was the of civil, religious
and constitutional liberty. Many Of US looked at
that Constitution as the anchor of safety. In Geor-
gia, the people had been attached to the previous
Union but the Constitution which governed it was
framed by Southern talent and understanding As
sauts had been made on 1t ever since it was eStab-
lshel-latnlv. a atitudiaous construction had been
made by the North, while of the South sought
TO interpret it as it waS-advOcatng strict conStruc
ton State rights the right of the people to rule,
etc He smoke Of all the fifteen Southern States
advocating this construction. To violate the prin-
ciplcs of the Constitution to initiate revolution
and the Northern States had done this.
The Constitution framed at Montgomery discard
ell the obsolete IDEAS of the old Constitution but
had preserved its better portion with moditi-
cations suggested by the experience of the past,
and it had been adopted hv the Confederate States
who world stand to it. The old Constitution had
been made engine of power 10 crush out liberty;
that of the Confederate States TO preserve IT. The
old Constitution was improved IN our hands, and
those living under it had like the Phoenix, risep
from the ashes The revolution lately begun did
not affect alone property but liberty. He alluded
to Linrolns call for - 900 volunteers, and said he
could lind no authority IN the old Constitution for
such ilagrant ahnSc "f power His second pro-
c.amati"n hid stiCmatiAed as pirates all who sailed
in letters ii marQre; this was also IN violation Of
the Constitution, which alone gave Congress that
powcr What had the friends Of liberty to hope
for: Beginning in usurpation, where would he
end? You were. however, said me- no longer under
the rule of tins tvrart. With strong arms and
stout hearts YOU have resolved to Stard in de-
fence Of ihcrty. The Confederate States Lad but
asserted their r:-'ItS They believe that their rulers
derived their just powers from the consent Of the
governed No one had right to deny the existence
Of the sovereign right Of secession. Our people
did not want to NEEDLE with the Northern States
f..s l., Il,
did Virginia ever ask the assistance Of the General
Government:
If there is sin in our institutions we bear the
blame-and will stand acquitted by by natural law.
and the higher law Of the Creator We stand ~
on the law Of God nd Nature. The Southern States
did not wish n resort 10 arms after secession. Mr..
Stephens alluded to the negotiations between Maj.
Anderson and the authorities Of the Confederate
States. to demonstrate the proposition. History. he
said if rightly written. would acQuIt us of desire
to shed our brothers Blood.
The law Of necessity and Of light compelled us to
act as we did He had reason to believe that the
Creator smiled on it. The Federal flag taken
down without the loss of a single life. lie believed
that Providence would be with and bless us to
the end We had had appealed to the Col Of Battles
for the business Of our cause. Madness and folly
ruled at Washington. Had it not been so, several
Of the States would have been in the Union for
year to come. The Gods first made mad those they
would destroy. Maryland would join us, and may
he ere long the principles that Washington fought
for might be again administered in the city that
bore his name. Every son Of the South, from the
Potomac to the Rio Grande, should rally TO the sup
port of Maryland. If Lincoln quits Washington as
rnomn0uslv as he entered 1t, Gods will will have
been accomplished. The argument was now
hauSted Be prepared; stand to your arms; defend
your wives and fireSideS. He alluded to the mo-
mentous consequences Of the issue involved Rather
than be conquered let every second man rally to
drive back the invader. The conflict may be terri
Bile but the victory will he ours VIrginans, sail
he, YOU fight for the prcservat:o IN Of your sacred
rrchts-the land Of Patrick IIcnry-to keep from
dissertation the tomb Of Washington the graves of
Madison, Jefferson, and all you hold most dear.
Fogr MoxRog-We are Informed that Capt Flzcy
and Dr. Johns both from Maryland, and stationed
at Old Point have sent in their designations or rath
er disla issals as they are called. Both these
gentlemen have served in the army with distinction
for a number of years. and last in the Mexican war.
Dr. Johns we understand has been in the army for
81 wears and Of course must feel some regret at
sundcring suddenly what were formerly friendly re-
lations; but the die has been cast and he has made
up his mind to stand its hazard.
We also understand that the bridge at the fort
have been taken up and all communication between
the fort and the citizens thus cut off There are
now 800 men rank and file in the fort, and all the
officers are black republicans with the exception of
three who hail from Virginia.
son of Dr. Banks was ordered from The fort
where he occupied the position of clerk in the SUIT
tiers store because he would not sympathise with
the black republican remarks which were daily and
hourly uttered in his presence; and the wife of
man who deserted on the same account was summa-
ry elected from the fort, without any provision or
notice. but the citizens Of Old Point and Hampton
Immediately took up subscription to supply her
wants and send her further south join her husband
The latest news from Fortress Monroe Is that the
federal troops spiking the guns, and preparing
to blow up the place. We give this rumor for what
| it is worth There some 900 troops in the for
tress.-No..s2ik Herald.
! The GREAT QUESTION DECDED-EIRGTYIA OUT OF
THE UNIoS-OUR FLAd.-The eighteenth of April,
one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, will be
noted ne the most eyentul day in Vrpnia's history