Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1861-04-02
THE SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY.
slavery the BnsIs of the New Government.
AN OFFICIAL MANIFESTO



AN OFFICIAL MANIFESTO.
Speech of viee-President Stephens.
Alexander II. Stephens vice-President of the
"Confederate States" delivered IN address at
Savannah, Georgia, on the 2lst ult, in which
he reviewed the plan Of the Southern Govern
ment, and distinctly avowed that African slavery
is the foundation Of the system. In this ao-
acknowledgement Mr. Stephens confirms the state
ment of Mr.. Spratt, whose argument we have
already published. We copy the report Of Mr..
Stephens speech from the Savannah Republican: i:
SLAVERY THE BASIS OF THE NEW ooHFEDERAcY.
But not to bo tedious in enumerating the
numerous changes for the better, allow me to
allude to one other, though last, not least: the
new Constitution has put at rest foreOsr all the
agitating questions relating to our peculiar in-
sttution-African slavery as it exists amongst
us-the proper status of the negro in our form of
civilization. This iUds the immediate cause of the
late rupture and present reVotutiOn. JEFFERSON,
in his forecast. had anticipated this as the crock
upon which the old Uuion would split.p He
was right. What was oonjeotured with him is
now realized fact. But whether he fully COM
pretended the great truth upon which that rock
stood and stands may be doubted. ThepreoGiling
ideas entertained By him, and most Of the leading
statesmen at Me tns Of The formation Of the Old
Constitution, pers, that the easlapsment he AJfi-
can icas in Uioidton Of The laes Of nature; Mqt Il
lgas prolg in principle, socially, morally, and
| politically.
Il was an evil they 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, tue institution would be eyanescent
and pass away. This idea, though not incorpo-
rated in the Constitution, was the prevailing idea
i Of fIa Tho Onp oAf I To
every essential guarantee to the institution while
il should last and hence no argument can be
! justly used agoinst the Constitutional guaran-
tees thus secured because Of the common senti-
ment of the day. These ideas, hoptper, scos
fundamentally turoAg. They rested upon tie as.
sumption Of the equality Of race. This ards an
error. 1t was a sandy foundation, and the idea
Of government built upon it; when the "storm
came and the wind blew, it fN."
Our aew government is founded upon eractiy the
opposite idea its foundations are laid lis corner
stone rests upon The great truth that The negro is not
equal 10 the Dhie man ! that slavery, subordnd-
ton 10 The superior race, is his natural and moral
condition. (Applause.) This, our aeD govern
ment, is The first in Me history Of The ioorld based
upon The 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 Of science. 1t has been so
even amongst us. Many who hear me, perhaps,
can recOllect well that this truth was mot geuer-
ally admitted, even within their day. The
errors Of the past generation still clung to many
as late as twenty years ago.
Those at the North who still cling to these
errors with zeal above knowledge, we justly
denonnate fanatics. Ali fanaticsm springs
from an alteration of the mind from defect
in reasoning. It is species Of insanity. One
of the most striking characteristics of insanity,
in many instances, is forming correct conclusions
from fancied or erroneous premises so with
the dRh.sidUery fanatics; their conclusions are
right if their premises are. They assume that
the negro is equal and hence conclude that be
is entitled to equal privileges and rights with
the white man. If their premises were correct
their conclusions would be logical and just--but
their premises being wrong, their whole argu-
ment fails.
recollect ouc4 OF having heard gentleman
from one of the Northern States, ofgreat power
aud ability, announce in the House Of Represen.
tatives, with imposing effect, that we of the
South would be compelled, ultimately, TO yield
upon this subject of slavery that il was as i'm
possible to war successfully against principle
in politics. as 1t was in physics OF mechanics.
That the principle would ultimately prevail
| That we, in maintaining slavery as it exists with
us, were warning against principle-a prinoi-
pie founded in nature, the principle of the equal
ity of man. The reply made TO him was, that
upon his own grounds We should succeed, and
that he and his associates in their crusade against
our institutions would ultimately fail. The
truth announced. that it was impossible to war
successfully against n principle in politics as
well as in physics and mechanics, admitted,
but told him that it was he and those acting with
him who were warning against principle. They
were attempting TO make things equal which the
Creator had made unequal.
NEGRO BONDAGE THE suBsTRAruM.
In the conflict, thus far, success has been on
our side, complete throughout the length and
breadth of the Confederate States. 1t is upon
this, as have stated, our social fabric is firmly
planted and | cannot permit myself to doubt
the ultimate success of full recognition of this
principle throughout the civilized and enlighten-
ed world.
As have stated, the truth of this principle
may be SLOW in development, as all truths are,
and ever have been, in the various branches of
science. ltwas so with the principles announced
by Gallileo--it was so with Adam Smith and his
principles of political economy. 1t was so with
| Harvey and his theory Of the circulation of the
! blood. 1t is stated that not q single one of the
medical profession, living ut the time of the an
nouncement of the truths made by him, admitted
them, Now they are universally acknowledged
May we not therefore look with confidence to
| the ultimate universal acknowledgment Of the
truths upon which our system rests. II is the
first government ever instituted upon principles
in strict conformity to nature, and the ordina-
tion of Providence, in furnishing the materials
OF human society.
Many Governments have been founded upon
the principle of certain classes; hut the classes
thus enslayed were OF the same race, and in vio-
latou of the laws of nature. Our system com
mits no such violation Of natures laws The
negro by nature, or by the curse against Cain,
is lifted Tor that condition which he occupies in
our system, The architect, in the construction
of bui dings, lays the foundation with the pro-
per mstcrial-the grante-then comes the brick
or the marble. The substratum of our society
is made Of the material fitted by nature for it,
and by experience We know that it is the best,
not only for the superior, but for the inferior
race that it should be go. II Is, indeed, in con-
fOrmity with the Creator. Il is not for as 10 IN