Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-04-14
Vice Presideut StsuhsuS' Speech.

At the risk OF being placed by ons of cJn.eup0
FAres in the category Of those who fan the fame OF
discomfort among people" We lay before our rcd
ss 10 day the address Of Vice President Stephens 80
the Georgia Legislature. We had scarcely anticipated
that any apology would be requisite in presenting to
Southern public the opinions of one of our purest,
ablest mot fGrseeing and mOst respected statesmen.
Public discussion was once the recognized privilege Ct
all our people. There are those, now, who seek to
cast suspicion and Odium on those WHO exercise the
right. Is is, therefore, the desirable that the
public at large should have the benefit of every expires
sion of opinion, from 80 commanding, source which
the peculiar Etaasion the tone Of public thought and
ths exiSences Of the times combined may produce
We must not look alone to those dschSgng high and
responsible duties for expressions upon which opinion
At large Is to be shaped. We have, also, sersble
thinking and well informed men at home, Immediately
among the people, fully inbued With the principle:
which underle the Government Ne have chosen. Mr.
Stephens may be considered one Of this class. Ia
effort during the do we hnd greater elaborateness
and vgor Of thought sentiments more patriotic, in
dependence more unAnohng, than in the address be-
lo1 II Is distinguished by CAlmnass, dignity, nanli-
ness and ability. Tae subjects handled are great sub
isoss The tone throughout is grave, aud, in parts
severe The dag may be net far distant shsn this ad-
dress VII be regarded is ole the SyOiiins leaves
bestowed upon cur infant rspl5io:
SPEECH OF HON. ALEXANDRA Il. STEPHENS,
Delivered bsfors the Georgia LEGISLATOR Wednesday
night, March l6ih 1904
Reported for the IatEsncs, and revised BY hlmss
A. the hOur OF seven aud HAi o'clock, p. NJ, the
hall had been filled 10 iss utmost Jaety oy members
OF the Legislature and citizens generally, snd the
vast esssmblage within the beloved ioTm OF
GeOrsa's noble son, every eye grew bright With Joy,
AID hearty and unanimous applause bid him vel
come.
Mr. Stephens assembled the speakers stand aud spoke
a. follows:
GsnlLsplsa Of the Senate
and House Of Representatives.
In compliance with your request, or at least silh
thai Of largo portion Of Jour respective bades APP
pear before you tonight speak Of the state OF puo-
lie Rf1irs. Never, perhaps before have l risen to
address public audience under circumstances Of so
much responsibility, and never did feel deeply
impressed with the weight Of L. Questions OF ms
most momensous importance ere pressing upon you foe
consideration and action. Upon these to address
yo1 Would that my ability, physically aud 10 all
other respects commensurate with the magnitude
of the occasion We are in the midst OF dangers aud
perils. Dangers without aud dangers within. ScyDa
on the one side and Charybdis on the other War IS
being wsged against rs BY strong unscrupucus and
Viodctive los; for subjHgatiOn, degradation,
and determination. From this quarter threaten the
psrils without Those within are from questions OF
policy to the best means the Eisess and sates TO
repe the enemy, achieve our Independence to maintain
and keep nights and liberties. Upon the
decson Of these questions looking to the proper de-
velopment Of limited resources wisely aud pairi-
oicaly, that their entire efficiency may be sxere3
In our delverEnee, with, at the same tine, watch u
vigilance 70 the sAfeof the citadel itse IS much de-
psnds as upon the skill Of our commanders and the
vAlor Of our ctzsa soldiers Ia the field. E'eSyth.ng
dear to freemsn is at stake An error in iudg-
nsnt though spTing'ng from the nest patriotic mo-