Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1863-07-31
speech of Vice President stevens.


Vice Presidens Stevens, who is on bis
way to the South, stopped At Charlotte; n.
O., Friday night, and was serenaded by a
large concorrse of citizens. In reply he
made them speech about an hour in length.
He commenced by alluding to the invasion
of Maryland and Pennsylvania by Gen
Lees army; said thatit had whipped the
enemy on their own soil and obtained vast
supplies for our own men, ard was now
ready to again meet the enemy on new
field. Whatever might be the movements
and the objects of Gen. Lee, he had entire
confidence in his ability to accomplish what
he undertook for in ability and intellect he
was head and shoulders above any mar in
the Yankee army He commended Gen.
| Lee for keeping his own secrets, and told
the people not to be discouraged because
they did not hear from Lee over his own sig
nature. He would come out all right III
the end.
Mr. Stevens next spoke of the surrender
/ Of Vicksburg, and said that it was not an
Occurrences to cause encouragement or
gloom; that the loss of Vicksburg was not
as severe blow as the loss of Fort Pillow,
Island No 10, OF New Orleans The Con-
federacy had survived the loss of those
points, and would survive the loss of Vicks-
burg Port Hudson, and other places =
Suppose, said he, we were to lose Mobile,
Charleston and Richmond, it would not
affect the heart Of the Confederacy We
could and would survive such losses, aud
finally secure our independence He was
not at all discouraged at the prospect; he
never had the tblues" himself, and had 30
respect or sympathy for 'croakers" The
enemy has already appropriated twenty sew
en- hundred millions of dollars and one mil
+ lion OF men for our sub ugation. and, after
& two years war, had utterly failed. and ifthe
war continued two years longer they would
fail to accomplish our subiugation. SO far
they had not broken the shell of the Con-
federacy In the Revolutionary war the
British at one time had possession ofNorth
Carolina, South Carolina. and other States;
they took Philadelphia and dispersed Con
gress, and for a long time held almost com
plete sway in the Colonies = YET they did
not conquer our forefathers. Ia the war of
1872 the British captured the capital Of the
nation Washington City. and burnt it, yet
they did not conquer US; and ii we are true
to ourselves now, true to our birthrights,
the Yankee nation will utterly failt subju-
gate us. Subjugation would be utter ruin
and eternal death to Southern people and
all that they hold most DEAR. He exhorted
the people to give the government cordi
al support, to frown down all croakers and
grumblers, and to remain united aud fight
to the bitter end for liberty and indepen-
dence.
As for reconstruction, said Mr. Stephens,
such a thing was impossible such an idea
must not be tolerated for an instant. Re
construction would not end the war, but
would produce a more horrible war than
that in which we are now engaged. The
only terms on which we can obtain perma
nent peace is 6nal and complete separation
from the North. Rather than submit to
anything short Of that, Let US all resolve to
die like men worthy Of freedom
! In regard to foreign Intervention, Mr.
Stephens advised his hearers to build no
hopes on that yet awhile. He did not be.
lieye 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 thew
considered both sides too strong now, aud
did not deem it good policy on their part
to interfere and put an end to the war;.
Foreign nations see that the result Of the
war will be to establish despotism at the
North, and are therefore willing to allow it
to continue while longer
The whole tone fMr. Stephens speech
was very encouraging, and showed not the
slightest sign Of dependency. He concu-
ded by expressing entire confidence in the
ability Of the Confederacy to maintain our
cause and achieve independence Sentinel.