Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1864-10-26

Especial dispatch to lo Cincinnati Gazette,
wAsHrNoroN, October a.
The Richmond Iphig Of yesterday contains a
highly important luttcr from AlcN II stephens TO
sundry uIti2cus of Georgia who had wrtten to him
about the p1ucr movement H. begins by magni-
flying h- desire for peace, and then says;
"But really do not see that it Is in my power, or
yours, or that of any number Of persons in our po-
sitiOn to iuuugurntc any movement that viii even
tend to aid IN bringing about result That we and
so many more desire
He then praises the action of the Georgia Legis-
ulure of last year and says tho organization OF u
poaeo party at the North may be traced 10 II, and
proceeds thus to give what lac regards the only basis
Of peace.
The eusy and perfect solution of ali the present
troublc, ana Of those lar moro gIcNous onos which
loom in prospect, and ponentously threaten us IN
the coming future il nothing more than the simple
recognition of the fundamental principles upon
which all American constitutional liberty Is founded
aud upon the maintenance Of which alone II can be
preserved, That ], the sovereignty, the ultimate,
absolute sovereignty Of the States. This Is the only
key note 10 peace, permanent lasting peace coh's-
tent with the security of public liberty
Vice President stephens then proceeds to argue
the State rights doctrine thus cnuncatcd, IN ITS his
torical and constitutional bearings, and continues
Tho action Of the Chicago convention, 50 far ms 1t
is platform Of principles, does present, rs have
said on another occasion, ray of light which un-
der Providence, may prove the dawn "i day to ihs
long and checrlc-. night The prominent and lead
ing idea Of that convention seems TO have been II
desire to reach peaceful adjustment of our present
difficulties through convention of the States
They propose to suspend hostilio, to see wha, can
be done if anything in the way of negotiation !
This is II step in the right direction
After arguing in favor Of this paul, Of the Chi
cago platform, the Vice President continues;
"But should favor such proposition only as u
peoceful conference such n the convention Of 1897
was ! should be opposed to leaving the question at
issue to the absolute decision ot such body. The
plan Of adjustment should be submitted for subse-
1ucnt ratification by the sovereign States whom II
affected before II should be binding and then IT
should be binding only on such us should Ttiy It,
Mr.. Stephens next cNhorts his friends to keep a
watchful care for their liberties and proceeds 10
compare thc present rebel situation with chat Of our
revolutionary lore0thcrs thus
"In point of reyerses. our condition is not to be
compared with theirs. Should Mobile, Savannah,
Charleston, Augusta, Macon, Montgomery, and
even Petersburg and Richmond fall, our condition
would 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 control our
desinics in the cabinet and field, in outstanding and
properly welding the resources at their command,
and in securing the heart. and affections of the
people we could suffer all these losses and calami'
ties, and still triumph in the ond'
After continuing further in thi, strain, the Vice
President concludes as follows
,os sThss SGhief nd ayao SpSoqGgemsnt we can give
these great Fundamental principles which diohsWtt'
lead them on to permanent and msttng peace with
the enjoyment Of constitutional liberty. With thes,
principles once recognized the future would take
care of itself There would be no war SO long as
they should be adhered TO- All questions OF bonn-
l.,r ,f,,l4 Il tT
naturally and easily adjust themselves according to
the Interests Of the parties and the cXgeuces of the
times. Herein lies the true law OF the balance OF
power and the harmony of the States.
Yours, respectfully
ALEXANDER II. STEPHENS