Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-07-29
Another speech by Alex. H. stephens
-He Finds Nothing Encouraging
in tho Present Condition Of Affairs.


in the Present Condition of AnRirs.
Prom the Richmond Dispatch, July q.
Vice President Stephens, who is on his
way to the South, stopped at Charlotte,
n. c., on Friday night and was sereuRdei
by a large cOncourse OF citizens. In reply
he made them 4 speech about az hour in
length. He commenced by alludiDg to
the Invasion OF Maryland aud Pennsylvania
by General Lees army; said that it had
whipped the enemy on their own soil and
obtained vast supplies tor our owo men,
and was now ready to meet the enemy on
new field. Whatever might be the
movements and objects OF Gen. Lee, he
had entire confidence in his ability to ac-
complish what he undertook, for in ability
and intellect he was head and shoulders
above any man in the Yankee army. He
commended Gen. Lee for keeping his own
secrets, and told the people not to be dis
Outraged because they did not hear from
Lee over mis- oWu signature. He would
come out all right in the end.
Mr.. Stephens next spoke of the surren-
der of vicksburg, aud said that it WAS not
an occurrence TO cause encouragement or
gloom that the loss of Vicksburg was not
as severe blow as the loss of Fort Pillow,
Island No. 10 or New, Orleans. The COu-
federscy had survived the loss of these
points, and would survive the loss of Yicks-
burg, Port Hudson and other places. Sup
pose, said he, We were 10 lose Mobile
Charleston aud Richmond, it would not af.
feet ths heart of the Coufederscy. We could
aud would survive such losses, and finally
secure our independence. He was not at
all discouraged at the prospect; he never
had the "Olues" himself, and had no re-
spect or sympathy for "croakeFs." The
enemy has already appropriated twenty
seven hundred millions of dollars and one
million of men for our subjngatiOn, and
after two years war had utterly failed, and
if the war continued for two years longer,
they would fail to accomplish our subjuga-
ton. So far they had not broken the
shell of the Confederacy. 10 the RevOlu-
tionary war the British at ons tune had
possession of North Carolina, South Caro-.
lima, and other States; they took Phila.
deiphia, and dispersed Congress, aud for a
long time held almost complete sway in the
COlonies-yet they did not conquer our
forefathers. Inthe war of 1912 the British
captured the capital OF the nation, WASH
ington City, and burnt it, yet they did not
conquer us E; and if we are true to our
selves now, true TO our birth-rights, the
Yankee nation will utterly tail TO subju.
gate us. Subiugation would be utter ruin
and eterusl death TO Southern people and
all that they hold most dear. He exhorted
the people TO give the Government a cor
dial support, 10 frOWn down all cfoakers
and grumblers, and to remain united and
Sight to the bitter end for liberty and indie
pendeHce. gla
As for reconstruction, said Mr.. Stevens,
such thing was impossible-such an idea
could not be tolerated for An Instant. Re.
construction would not end the war, but
would produce q more horrible war than
that in which we are now engaged. The
only terms on which we can obtain perma-
uent peace is final and complete sepAra-
tiOn from the North. Rather than submit
70 anything short OF that, let us all re-
solve to die like men worthy of freedom.
10 regard to foreign intervention, Mr..
Stevens advised his hearers to build no
hopes on that yet awhile. He did not be-
ieve that the leading foreign powers ever
intended that the North and South should
be again united--they> preferred that the
separation should be permanent-but they
considered both sides too strong now, and
did not deem it good policy on their part
to interfere and put a stop TO the war
Foreign nations see that the effect of the
war will be to establish despotism at the
North, and are therefore willing to allow
il to continue while longer.
The whole tone OF Ar. Stephens speech
was very encouraging, aud showed not the
slightest sign of despoRdeney. He con-
cluded by expressing entire confidence in
the ability Of tho COnfederacy to maintain
our cause and achieve our independence,