Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-01-31

BE than supported the insasaFss soo s'na'Aa''s =
the Democratic party.
In March 1854, the Senate bill organizing inc YER
rituries Of Kansas and Nebraska, having passeu '"e
Senate with clause repeating the " Missouri oonl-
promise. /" was communicated TO the House. oil kep-
resentativos. where. after a>l0pg debate, 1t was
amended ON the 22d of May By the substitution ol
the House bill, which was the same as the senate
bill, omittng the prohil'ition Of "alien suffrage
known as thu +" Clayton amendment" Inc plll IS
amended was pasSed--yeaS ll3, nays 100. Mr.. Ste
nbenS, record shows that he aided by ms IN
auence and familiarity with parliamentary law IN
contributing to this result. The Senate coGurred
in the amendment of the House and thus tie re-
peal of the Missouri Compromise was contaminated.
The excitement and agitation thereby engendered
led 10 the organization of the Black Republican
party.
Mr. Stephens delivered u speech before a
Convention held in Georgia, in August, 1860, in
which he strongly opposed the secession of the
State. A portion of thiSSpceoh was used as 4 cam
paign document" by the Lincoln party in the United
States last year, and wa<4pescribed by them as ga
prediction of the desolations and horrors which
would arise from secession" Mr.. Stephens was
undoubtedly opposed 10 a dissolution OF the Union
but when the course of events rendered the rupture
inevitable no one more willingly acquesced in the
resumption 10y Georgia OF her sovereignty. He was
elected Provisional Vice President OF the Confede-
rate States and whilst holding this position, sent
as commissioner TO Virginia which had just passed
the Ordinance of Secession Through his agency
treaty was made with the State Conyention, aud the
State was finally admitted into the new Confedera-
ton, Professionally organized at Montgomery. AT
the organization OF the permanent Government Mr..
S. was elected Vice President by the vote 81 the
people,, aud is holding that position.
lu letter to senator -Semmes of Louisiana da-
ted Charlottesville, Ca, Nov. 18th, Mr.. Stephens
expressed himSelf as follows:
''On the question OF reconstruction stand now
Just where did in October, 1869 when wrote I a
gentleman III answer to Il letter from him stating
that was charged with such sentiments; aud de-
string me to give public denial OF it. | told him
in reply, that l6oked upon such Il charge as no
less an mputation BpoG my intelligence Than my
integrity. The issue OF This war, IN my Judgment
was subiugation or independence | so understood
1t when the State vi Georgia seeded, and 1t was
with uil consciousness Oi this fact with all lis re-
spOnsibilites, sacrifices and perils, that pledged
ySclf then and there to stand by her and her for
tunes, whatever they might be in the Course she
had adopted AS Tor making any public denial of
such charge, lelt too much sel-respect 10 do it "
The declarations of his position as above set
forth have been frequently reiterated during the
past few months.
The Se1tiRe, OF this morning. (Which has probably
derived its information from Official sources,) says
The circumstances under which these gentlemen
have departed their mission are understood 10 be
as follows: Mr.. +. p. Blair having sought an I'M
official and confidential interview with President
Davis, departed for Washington with an assurance
that our President would lac willing at any time,
without any obstacle oil FORM seQd agents or COM
mssiOnerS 10 Washington TO confer about terms of
peace II informed in advance that said commission
efs would he received On Mr. Blair's second visit
20 Richmond1e brought the consent of Mr.. Lincoln
10 receive and confer with any agents informally
sent with view 10 the restoration of peace. Tie
,hrce gentlemen who lief. yesterday were thereupon
selected by the President, aud they have gone with
out formal credentials, and merely informal agents.
to SIC whether it be possible 10 place conference
for peace any basis which may serveor staining
SO desirable suit.