Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1864-10-19


The Georgia Peace HOvemeBt--Letter
OF A. H. SfeVtns..-EIis Views of the
Chicago Convention and Future
Peace.
The Richmond WAig of October 18th,
contains highly important letter from
Alexander a. Stephens to sundry citi-
zens of Georgia, who had written to him
about peace movements. He begins by
magnifying his desire for peace, and
then says
''But really do not see that it is in
my power, Or that of any number of per-
sons IN our position, to inaugurate any
movement that will tend to aid in bring
ing about result that We and so many
desire.
de then praises the action of the
Georgia Legislature last year; says the
organization of q peace party at the
North may be traced to it, and proceeds
thus 70 give the only basis ofpeaee:
"Tke easy and perfect solution of all
present troubles, and Of those far more
grievous ones which loom in prospect,
and porsentiously threaten in the coming
future, is nothing more than the simple
recognition Of the fundamental princi-
pie upon which all American constitu.
tional liberty is founded, and upon the
maintenance Of which alone it can be
preserved; that is, the sovereignty, the
ultimate, absolute sovereignty Of the
States This is the only key note to
peace-permanent and lasting peace,
consistent with the security of public
liberty"
Vice President Stephens then pro.
eeeds to argue the States Rights doc.
trine, snuneiated in its historical and
constitutional bearings, and thus con
tinues:
1.-The action OF the Chicago Conven-
ton, 40 far as its platform of principles
goes, presents, as / have said on a for
mer occasion, ray Of light which, IN.
der Providence, may prove the dawn OF
dsy TO this long and cherries night The
prominent and leading idea Of that Con-
vsntion seems to have been = desire 10
reach a peaceful adjustment OF our pres
ent difficultisc through convention OF
States. They propose 10 suspend hostil-
ities to see what can be done, II any
thing, in the way Of negotiation This
is . step in the right direction"
After arguing in favor of this plank of
the Chicago platform, the Vice President
continues
But should favor such PROPOSE
tion only as q peaceful conference, as
the convention Of 1857 was / should
be opposed 10 leaving the questions at
issue TO the absolute decision of such a
body The plan of adjustment should
be submitted for subsequent ratification
By the sovereign States whom it affected,
before il should be binding, and then il
should be binding only on such as should
ratify
Stephens then exhorts 10 watehful care
for their liberties. and proceeds to com.
pare the present rebel situation with that
Of our revolutionary forefathers, thus:
"ln point Of reveraes, our condition is
not to De compared with theirs. Should
Mobile, Savannah, Charleston, Augusta,
Macon, Montgomery, and even Peters
burg and Richmond fall, our condition
could not then be worse or less hopeful
/ than theirs was in the darkest hour that
rested on their fortunes With wisdom
on the part Of those who costroi our des.
tiny in the cabinet and 6eld, in husband
ing and properly welding our resources
at their command, and in securing the
hearts aud affections Of the people, we
coald suffer all these losses and ealami-
ties, and stiil triumph in the end -
After continuing further in this strain,
the Vice President eoneludes thus:
"The chief aid and encouragement
we can give the peace party at the North,
is to keep before them those great funds.
mental principles which alone will lead
them, and US, 20 permanent and lasting
peace, with the enjoyment of eonstitu-
tional liberty With these principles
once recognized, the future would take
care Of itself There would be no more
war so long as they should be adhered TO-
All questions Of boundaries, Coufedera-
cies, and Union, or Unions, would natur-
ally adjust themselves, according TO the
interest of The parties and the exigeK-
cies Of the times. Herein lies the true
law Of the balance Of power aud the har-
mony Of the States.
y Yours, respectfully,
/ ALEX II. STEPHENS"