The weekly union record., 1864-10-08
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READ, READ !
Hear Vice President Stephens.

We republish the following by request.
Alexander Il. Stephens, Of Georgia, long
member of Congress from that State, was op-
posed to secession, and combattcd it with all
his power; but in the whirlpool of excitement
bis voice was scarcely hcard-ceriainly not
heeded-and his wise counsel fell Oh dcll ears
10 his own State, when the convention was in
session in 1861 , and debating whether to Sc
cede or not, Stephens was invited to address
its members, and be told them some home
truths. But they needed them not and after
Stephens was chosen by the Montgomery
Convention to the Office Of Vice President.
which be vet holds-but bis heart is thought
not TO be with the rebellion. Here are few
extracts from Stephens speech to the Georgia
Convention
BEWARE OF THE FKTstsS STEP.
That this step, once taken, could never be
recalled; and all the baueful and witheling
consequences that must follow. las they would
see), will rest on the convention for all coming
time. When We and our posteriy shall see
our lovely South desoated by the demon of
war which this act OF yours must inevitably
invite and call forth; when our green fields Of
waving harvests shall be troddeu down by the
murderous soldery and fiery car of war sweep
ing over our land; our temples OF justice laid
in ashes; all the horrors and desolation OF war
upon u.s. who but this convention will be held
responS ble for il? Add wEo bat him who
shall have given his vote for this unwise and
iIl-timed measure las honestly think and be
liarn) shall be held TO strict account for this
suicidal act by the present generation and
probably cursed and execrated by posterity for
all time to come, for the wide aud desolatiug
ruin that will inevitably follow his act YOU
NOW propose to perpetrate!"
WHAT CAUSE FOE REVOLT:
pause entreat you, and consider for a
moment what reasons you can give that viii
even satisfy yourselves in calmer moments
what reasons you eau give to your fellow suf-
ferers in the calamity that it will bring upon
US? What reasons eau you give TO the nations
OF the earth to justify it? They will be the
cain and deliberate judges in the case, and to
what cause or one overt act can you name or
point, on which to rest the plea Of Justification?
What right has the North assailed? What
Interest of the South has been invaded? What
iISiict IDS UttU UcL4tu. duI " I4A+LAI tpAL
ded IN justice and right has been wiihheld2
Can either of YOU to day name one governmen-
tai act Of wrong, deliberately and purposely
done by the Government OF Washington, Of
which the South has Alright to complain?
| challenge the answer, While on the other
hand let me show the facts, and believe ne,
gentlemen. am not here the advocate OF the
North but am here the friend the firm friend
and lover of the South and her Institutions,
and for this reason l speak thus plainly aud
faithfully for yours.-Dine, and every other
mans interest, the words Of truth and sober
nessl. and OF which wish you TO Judge, aud
will only state facts which are clear and unde
niable, and which now stands as records au-
thenic in the history of our county
SLAVERY AND he SLAVE TRADE.
When we of the South demanded the slave
trade, or the importation of Africans for the
cultivation Of our lands, did they DOT yield the
right for twenty years. When We asked e
three hfihs representation ii Congt@ss for car