Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-10-20

The following letter from the rebel Vice Pres
ident Hon Alexander II. Stephens. giving his
views upon the prospects of peace. was written
in answer to a letter addressed to him by several
of his fellow citizens of Georgia
CEAwFoRDsvILLE, GEoRGIAl
September %. 1863.
GESrLENEN-You will please excuse me for
not answ ering your letter of the l4th instant,
sooner. | have been absent for nearly 4 week
on a visit to my brother in Sparta, who has been
quite out of health for some time. Your letter
| found here on my return home yesterday The
delay of my reply thus occasioned | regret.
Without further explanation or apology allow
me now to say to you that no person living can
feel q more ardent desire for an end TO be put 10
this unnatural and merciless war upon honorable
ami just terms than | do. But | really do not
see that il is in my power or yours, or that of
any number Of persons in our position, TO inau
gurate any movements that will even tend to aid
in bringing about q result that We and so many
more desire.
The movement, by our Legislature at It's last
session. at the suggestion OF the Executive, on
this subject. was by authority properly %constitu-
ted for such a purpose.
That movement, in my judgment, was timely
and judicious, and in the right direction. The
organization OF that party at the North to which
you refer, may Justly be claimed a. a part of the
fruits of il. These. il is TO be hoped. will be
followed by Others OF a more marked character,
If all in both sections who sincerely desire
peace upon correct terms, will give that move
! ment. thus inaugurated, all the aid in their
power.
The resolutions of the Georgia Legislature,
at its last session, upon the subject of peace,
in my judgment, embodied and set forth very
clearly those principles upon which alone there
can be permanent peace between the different
sections of this extensive, once happy and pros
porous, but now distracted country.
Easy and perfect solutions to all present trou-
bles, and those far more grieyous ones which
loom ln prospect, and portentously threaten in
the coming future, is nothing more than the sim
pie recognition of the fundamental principle and
truth upon which all American constitutional
liberty j. founded. and upon the maintenance Of
which alone 1t can be preseryed-thatis il, the SOW
~ereignty, the ultimate, absolute sovereignty of
the States. Tnis doctrine our Legislature All
nounced 10 the pa .le at the North aud to the
world IL Is the onIv keynote to peace, perma-
nent, lasting peace-consistent With the security
Of the public liberty.
The old COnfeder zion was formed upon this
principle The old Uuion was afterwards formed
on this principle No league can ever be formed
or maintained betwe zen any State. North or South,
securing PuoUc NoeFtNs upon ahH otutI !I'Htl
pie.
The whole frame work OF American institu-
lions, which in so short a time had won the adj
miration Of the world, and TO which we were in
debted for such an unparalleled career OF pros
pefity and happiness. was formed upon this prin
eiPle. All our present troubles spraDg from a
departure from this principle, from a violation Of
this essential law OF our political organization.
In lat, our ancestors, and the ancestors OF
those who are wagins this unholy crusade
agsinSt u. together proclaimed the great and
eternal truth for the maintenance of which they
Jointly pledged their lives. their fortunes. and
their sacred honor. that governments are insti-
Iuted among men. deriving their just powers
from the consent OF he governed, aud that when
ever any form of government becomes desiruc-
tive Of those ends for which il was formed. Il i
the right OF the people TO alter or abolish il. anf
institute 4 new government. laying the POUNDS
tons OF such principles. and organizing such
powers ia such 4 form as 70 them may seem most
llkelI 10 effect their safety and happiness.
IL Is needless here 10 state that by people. "
and governed. IN this annunciation i meant
communities aud bodies Of men capable o. OK
ganiElag and maintaining a government, not In
diVidGal members OF society. The consent OF
toe governed refers 60 The will OF the mass OF
the community or State in its organized form.
and expressed through it, legitimate and properly