Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-11-18
Resolutions of Hon. Linton stephens Relative !
to q Convention of the states.-


TO a Convention of the states.-
The General ASsembly:9ftd the State Of Georgia do
Res0LUe, That the Independence of The Southern
Confederate States of America, based upon the
stitutional compact between the sovereign States,
composing the CoDfedcracySnd maintained through
nearly four years Of gigantic war; justly claims from
the world its recognition ss a rightfpl, fact.
ReS0lccd, That all the States which composedthe
late American Union, as well as those embraced
within the present United States, as those embTac.
ed within the Southern Conlederacy, be what the
original thirteen States were declared 10 be by our
fathers of 177e, and acknowledged To be by George
the third of England, independent and sovereign,
not as one political community, but States each
ole Of them constituting such people" as have
the inalienable right to terminate any government
Of their former choice, I Withdrawing from it their
consent just as The ORIG M thirteen through their
common agent acting f0--shd IN the name of each
of them, by the withdrawal oftheir consent put
a rightlul termination TO the British government
which had been established. over them with their
consent.
ResoLced, That the sovereignty Of the individual
States is the crly basis of permanent peace the
American continent, and WILL if the Of passion
and war once be hushed and reason allowed to
resume her sway, lead TO an easy ard lasting sou
ton Of all tie matters Of controversy involved in
the present lamentsble war, by simply leaving all
the States free to form their poii:ica associations
with one another, not by f9rcc Of arms, which ex
CiOUeS IDc lGea OF consent, DuJ Oy rational con-
sideratcn of their respective Interests growing out
of their natural situations.
R6s0yred, That as the very point cf controversy
III the present war, is the settlement of tne political
association Of the States, tren'y of peace be
perfected consistently with tie sovereignty of the
individual States without Stac action, the part
of at least those States whose references may ju,
| y be regarded as doubtful, and have not yet been
expressed through the appropriate organs /; ard
therefore opposition to all State operation IN
perfecting peace Cannot bc consistent with desie
for its establishment on basis of the sovereignty
| ofthe States.
ResOLUed, That we hail with qualification The just
ard sound sentiment coming from Il large ard grow
ing party in the North that Til associations of these
AmGfic.n States must DC voluntary, and not f0Tcibe
ami We give hearty response to their proposition
10 saspGud the conflict Of arms and hold Cenven-
ton Of States 10 inaEsuiatc a plan FIR permanent
| peace
i'e,olred, That the appropriate action of srch
Convention would not 10 TO aliy agrel ment IT
compact between States Int only To- frame and pro
! pose plan of pcagc and the assembling Of such
Convention, for s-cha purpose, would be relieved
from all possible constitution Oh tccLon by the
sent OF the two governments and with Sucp consent,
| the proposed convention would but act as con,l!s
Soncrs nr the negotiation Of peace subject to tie
| ratification of both governments, aId IN all points
iUvoivng the sovereignty or integrity of the Sta*
subject also TO the ratification Of the pal culaT States
| whose sovereignty might he so involved.
! Res03:ed, That respectfully, hnt mCst earnest
| iy urge upon our own government the prcFiicy
| aud wisdom, Of not oniy eApreSe:ng a de>ire for
peace, through Presidential messages and Cvngrcs-
sJonal Hanifestoes Dat Of makins or all suitable oa-
casIs and especially Just aflc. signal successes of
our arms, Official, open and uneQnivccal cters to
treat for peace through the medium Of Convention
OF SIates leaving adversary to accept cffers
or by rejecting them to prove to his own people that
he is waging this unnatural war; not for peace nor
the good of his country bat for purposes of the most
uRholy and dangerous ambition.
On motion, TWO hundred copies were ordered TO
be printed.