Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-10-21
YANKEE COMMENT ON Mr. STEPHENS LETTER.
Prcta Tie N. Y HraLd of l7Ml

We submit 10 tie special attention Of our readers
this morn the stter in iul of the rebel Vice Presi
dent Alexander II. Step lens, Of September a. to
tain friends in Georgia, on tho peace question Il viii
not need q stoond peTusil, We think 10 satisfy any
politician of ordinary intelligence that this silly ron.
oasto OF Southern accession abs racons is inteu dad
for the encouragement and guidance of the Northern
eoppsrhead peace faction In this Presidential clnVase
That II will be accepted by this revolutionary faction
A model Of Cancellation and wisdom we cannot doubt,
Tor Il has the true ring OF the peace speeches OF Mr.
George H. Psndeton, and of the moral philosophy, az
a De o, maker, of the Hon. Ben. Wood.
What says Mr.. Stephens? After referring to the
psf ca at any price fac of the North as an orglni.
zstion resulting from certain peace ideas promulgated
BY the Georgia Legislature Mr. Stephens says that for
the perfect solution Of all existing troubles North
and South, nothing more is ql.red "than the simple
recognition Of tire fundamental principle Of truth upon
which all American constitutional liberty Is founded
that s the soveregntY-the ultimate, absolute sovt.
reigny Of the States. Tois doctrine our Legislature
tGeoreia announced to the people Of the North and
tie world 1t ia the only keynote to pelce-permsnent
lsting peace" 60 This is nothing more, however,
belion. II was kicked out Of the country with the
vrtieg Of the first Of federal constitution
VI ion reads: I'VE the people Of the United S:Aes"-
not We the several States, each acting as sovereignty
but I'VE, the people ct TIE Uaited States"-thst is
of all tho States acting In body, as the
tyes Of great nation, ard not OF miserable league OF
States held together by rope OF sand sin order TO
form mere perfect Union" H., that is more perfect
Union than the old confederation which was In the ma
lure of league 80 ordan AID establish this constitu-
tonn Oar general government was thus reorg an zod
as tina. of nation and to its national unity, powers
and authority every State concerned made subord
nate under "thn supreme sw of the land"
So much for this atrccous Southern heresy Of cab
soluta Stasa sovereignty" Nov let Us q what the
bs VICE President proposes to do Wi!h |! the initial
e., H. . b., AZ.
Chicago Convention, far as its platform of principles
goes preeens have said on another oc,asion rsy
of light which, under P1ovidercs may prove the dawn
Of the day to this long aud cheeres1 night" How
Through the medium OF convention OF all the
S.atssl" Mr.. Stephens faYors this proposition; but
upon what bssisS The basis which only IN idiot q
Jacobn would fer to his Oonfederates. he suggsssa
convention Of all the States 70 consult together, sGd
that il they como 10 any agreement 1t shall BIO binding
only uroa those S.a6s that may choose, each in ts
sovereign capacity, to ratfJ is. WHAT would be the
working of this msolnef LIT rs seer Tae war Is
stopped. AL tho Safes turned loosa. This con
veation Of oil tie States turned loose assemblies It
adopts q treaty Of peace AMI reunion by unanimous
vote. The treaty 10 then submitted to the ia iicao1
of the several Safes, each Recognised sovereign
natoo but the stes concerned in this rebellion have
been a1ght what to do. They respectively reject the
treaty, and fall bsck upon their Montgomery
Southern confsdecy aud the Union is gone to pieces.
THIS IA the enr alnment to which Mr.. Stephens tells
us ga ray of Light has been thrown from the Chicago
Convention.
Such are tie juggling tricks which the rtbel Wee
President proposes behalf OF peace. 10 says 'ha'
the chief aid ald the encouragement give tn
peace p1ry At the North to keep before them these
great fundamental principles and truths which alone
will lead them AID to permanent and lasting psac,
aud tell it not in Go) With possession and enjoyment
of constitutional liberty" Dan 1t be possbls that S.t
phens and lie Southera rebel Confederate rulers sill
the orAoes of party In the Nor on constitute raj
principles? Have they sill in this section party of
Services II 20, was there such br, z,n faced ia
science the SIDE or such toAndal:uJ degrada-
ton on tho oherS Az all eveots, NO guess that tho
Northern peAcs party will d,rva very littla aid and
mfOrt from this peace platform of their southern
Safe rights leader Mr.. s ephens.
His SsF Doon too are SO preposserous az bis pesos
theories. He compares this Of the robeioul Saes
with that OF Our gres Revolutionary sraggle Of 70
when they are as vide apart thu poei, tni no
resemble each other than light resembles da,kues.-
Nor will they compare with 6aSh other il regard TO
the opposing fo-cas, IN II e. vls shall be assisted
by the a eta and afmie7 Of Franco We hsvs reason
to believe however, that this peace manifesto from Mr..
Stephens, like the late letter Of Governor Brown, of
Georgia, 70 General Sherman, wa, written more In