The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-07-10
Southern Complaint Of Unjust Treatment.
A. q. Stevens o Witness.

Il
We give tho testimony Of Alexander Ii.
Stephens, tho Vice President Of the 50 called
Confederate States, and next to JcG. Davis,
tho highest rebel officer. The speech was
made at Montgomery, Ga, in JAM, 1861,
at convention called by tho legislature for
tho purpose of voting tho State out Of the
Union. Mr.. Stephens was union man and
had not then been bought over to tho rebel.
lion by tho Office which was subsequently,
given him. - .r. v.-r rs
We have no comments to mako upon this
testimony, 50 true and 80 crushing to that in
sane cry that tho South had been unjustly
treated. Not only docs Stephens state the
fact that the South has ruled the nation,
enjoyed its offices, shaped its policy, lived
upon its treasury, purchased territory for
slavery and carried on war for tho same pur-
pose, but ho adds his voucher that the facts
have existed and will continue, If they ro-
main in the Union. Ho distinctly states
that the South has not one ground OF com.
plant but il she commits treason oil the hor-
rors of that act will bc chargeable alone up
on the South. His declaration is conclusive,
and does not leave tho shadow Of an excuse
to rebels for their treason. r q
Stephens stood up in tho Convention and
porceiving tho uselcssness Of an appeal to tho
patriotism of these traitors of thirty years
preparation, no addressed himself to their
self interest, and said: m r-
"This step, once taken, could never bc re-
called; and all tho balciul and whitening
consequences that follow will rest on the
Convention for all coming time. When We
and our posterity shall SEQ our lovely South
dcsolated by tho demon Of war, which this
act of yours will inevitably invite and call
forth when our green fields Of waving har.
vests shall bo troddcn down by the murder
GUS soldicry and fiery car OF war sweeping
over our land our temples of Justice laid in
ashes; all tho horrors and dcsolations of
war upon us; who but this Convention will
bc held responsible for it? and who but him
who shall have given his vote for this un.
wise and ill.timed measure shall be held to
strict account for this suicidal net by tho
present generation, and probably cursed and
execrated by postcrty for all coming time,
for tho widc and desolatlng ruin that will
inevitably follow this acs you now propose
to perpetrate? e.
Pause, cntrcat you, and consider for u
moment what reasons you can give that will
even satisfy yourselves in calmcr moments
what reasons you can give to your fellow
sufferers in tho calamity that 1t will bring
upon us? What reason can you give to the
nations of tho earth to justify it? They will
bo the calm and deliberate judges in the case!
and to what cause or one overt act can you
point, on which to rest the plea of justifica-
tion? What right has the North assailed ?
What interest of the South has been in
vaded? What justice has been denied? and
what claim founded in justice and right has
been withhold? Can either of you to-day
namo ono governmental act OF wrong delib-
eratcly and purposcly done by tho Govern
mcnt of Washington, of which the South
has right to- complaint challenge the
answer! While, on tho other hand, lot mo
show tho facts, (and believe mo, gentlemen,
am not hero tho advocate of the North,
but am here tho friend, tho firm friend and
lover of the South and her institutions, and
for this reason speak thus plainly and faith
full for yours, mine, and cvcry other mans
interest, the words of truth and sobcrpess,)
Of which 1 wish you to Judge, and will
only state facts which arc clear and undcni-
able, and which now stands rs records au-
thentic in tho history of our country.
When we OF the South demanded tho slave
trade, or the Importation Of Africans for tho
cultivation of our lands, did they not yield
tho right for twenty years? When we asked
three fifths representation in Congress for
our slaves. was it not granted? When wc
asked and demanded the return Of any luigi.
tive from justice. or tho recovery Of those
persons owing labor or allegiance, was it not
incorporated in the Constitution ? and again
ratified and strengthened in tho Fugitive
Slave Law of 1850? a. .
Do you reply that in many instances they
have violated this compact, and have not
been faithful to thoir engagements? AS in
dlviduals and local communities they may
have done SO, but not by tho sanction Of Gov.
crnmcnt, for that has always been true to
Southern interests. Again, gentlemen, look
at another fact ,rhen voc hare asked that
more territory should be added, that Toe might
spread the institution of siapery, haze they not
Yielded 10 our demands, and givcn us Louisi- |
ana, Florida and Texas, out Of which four
States have been carved, and ample territory
for four moro to be added in due time, IL you
by this unwiso and impolitic act do not do
stroy this hope, and, perhaps, by it lose all,
and have your last slave wrcnchcd from you
by stern military rule, as South America and
4. Il. n a