Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1866-02-26
RECONSTRUCTION SOUTH,
Speech Of Alex H, Stephens before the
Georgia Legislature.
HE GIVES GooDADvrCE rOTHE SOUTH


Alexander Fl. Stephens made an address before the
Legislature at Milledgeville, Georgia, on Thursday
last. II He said:
;, We are in the condition of man with adisocated
limb or broken leg, and a very bad compound frac-
ture too at that. How it was broken should not be
with nm question of so much importance as how
can be restored to health. vigor and strength This
requires OF him, as the highest duty to himself to
wait quietly and patiently in splints and bandages
untll nature resumes her active powers until the Vi
tal functions perform their Office. The knitting of
the bones and the granulation of the flesh requires
ume. Perfect quiet and repose, even under the
SeVereSt pam, necessary it will not do to make oo
gre't hasteto get WE'LL an attempt to walk too soon
VIII only make the matter worse. We must, Drought
n0W therefore, IN similar manner, to discipline our
know the anxiety and restlessness of the popular
lmo TO be FULLY on our feet. again to walk abroad as
We once DID, to enjoy the free outdoor air
OF heaven, with the perfect use of all our limbs
Know how trying tits to be denied representation
IN IN congress whlle we are paying proportion of
taxes now annoying 1t is to be even partially under
military rule, and how injurious it is to the general
interest OF business of the country to be without post
0nces and mail communications, to say nothing of
alverS other matters the long list of our present
lAconVenleDeeS and prlvatiOns. All these, however
we must patiently bear and endure for season with
quiet ana repose; We may get WELL get once more
on our 1eet again One thing is certain that bad bU-
NOR, i'll temper exhibited either in restIessness or
grunblng, will not hasten it.
Nothing could be more injurious or miScheyous
10 the future OF this country than the agitation at
the DeQDlp
to or during the existence of the late war"
lie declared that he had always been faithful to the
principles Of the Constitution of the United States.
~ W natever differences existed among us arise from
olerences as to the best and surest means of secu
ring the great end which was the object of ALL 1t
was with this view and this purpose that secession
tried. That has failed Instead of betterng our
condition, instead Of establishing liberty upon
surer foundation, we have in the that ensued
come well nigh losing the whole of the rich inherit
ance with which we set out. This is of the sad
reazatlons OF the present. In this, too we are but
illustrating the teachings of history.
49, w ars, and civil wars especially, always menace
uperty-they seldom advance it, while they usually
end in its entire overthrow and destruction. Ours
stopped Just short Of such catastrophe. Our only
alternative now is either to give up all hopes of con-
stituOnal liberty retrace our steps and to look for
It's Vlndication and maintenance in the forums of
reason and justice, instead of the of arms;
and In the courts and halls OF legislation instead of
on tue helds OF battle am frank and candid in set
Whatever differences of opinion heretofore ex-
listed as to where allegiance was due during the
late state OF things none, for any practical purpose
can existnow. Whe her Georgia. by the action of
her convention of 1861, was rhtfulIy out of the
Union or not, there can be no question that she Is
now IN, so far as depends upon her will; and deem
the whole United -tates therefore, is now without
question our country, to be cherished and defended
as such by ali our hearts and all arms The Con-
Stitui0n of the United States and the treaties and
laws made in pursuance thereof, are now acknow-
edged to be the paramount law IN this whole country
All. therefore, who accept the issue of the warin
constitution. are loyal, however they may have
heretofore been. But with this change comes a new
order of things. One of the results nf the war is
total change IN our whole internal policy. Our former
social fabric has been entirely subverted Ibis rela-
ton heretofore under our old system. between the
African and European races, no longer exists. Slave
ry as 1t was called the status Of the black race
their subOrdna ton to the whites, upon which all our
institutions rested-is abolished forever not only in
Georgia, but throughout the limits of the United
States This change should be received and accept
cd as an irrevocable fact.
nrnSa dut in 10
with the past or the future. 1t is with the present
The wiseSt and best of men err in their judgment as
TO the probable working OF any new system. Let us,
therefore, give this one fair and just trial without
This duty of giving this new system fair and
just trial Will require OF yOu as legislators Of the land
great changes IN our former laws in regard to this
large class OF population. Wise and humane pro-
visions should be made for them. 1t is not for me to
go into detail. Suffice 1t to say on this occasion that
ample and full protection should be secured to them
SO that they may start equal before the law in the
liberty and property.
"Governments. according to ideas. should look
to the good of the whole and not part only. The
greatest good to the greatest number is a favorite
dogma with some. Some so defended our old system,
but you Know TINS was never. my doctrine. The
greatest good to all without detTlmenJ injury to
any is the true rule
Those governments only are founded upon correct
principles OF reason ami justice which look to the
greatest attainable advancement, improvement and
progress physically, intellectually and morally of all
classes and conditions within their rghfu iurisdic
ton. Therefore the new system should look to the
best interests OF all casses-he protection security
and improvement, physically, intellectually and
morally All obstacles, if there be any, should be re-
moved, which can possibly hinder or retard the
blacks to the extent OF their capacity. All proper
ad should be gwen to their own efforts, Channels of
education should be opened up to them, schools and
the usual means of moral and intellectual training
should be encouraged among them. This will die
tate not only OF what Is right, proper and just in
ITSELF but 1t is also the prOmptngs of the highest con-
sideratiOn of interest 1t is difficult to conceive
greater evil or curse than could befal our country
81 is fnr oIarua
ton of its population this class will quite probably
constitute amongst us hereafter to be reared in gno
rance, depraylty and vice."
Mr.. Stephens then quoted with approval from
speech of Henry Ward Beecher, on the duty of Gov
ernment to protect and encourage all members of
society. He said
l take the liberty of quoting for your considera-
ton some remarks eren from Rev. Ii. W. Beecher. |
met with them some mouths ago, while pOndering on
thlS SUBJECT, and was as much struck as surprised
with the drift of their philosophy, coming from the
hearing such ideas from Mr.. Beecher as / was but,
however much may differ from him on many dues-
tlons connected with this subject. yet ali must admit
MN 10 rank among the mastersprltS of the age and
no one perhaps, has contributed more by power of
his pen and voice in bringing about the present state
OF things than he has. ct, nevertheless commend
to your consideration, pertinent to my present OBJ
Ject what he was reported to have said.
lie made the following curious confession:
The old Union was based on the assumption that
1t was for the best interests of the people of tho Uni
ted States to be united they were each State
IdttuluilS 10 people OF Otler States
all their obligations under a common compact. l
always SAID that this assumption was founded on
broad, correct and StaIeSmanhke principles, 1
THINK so yet 1t was only when it seemed 10 be i'm
possible further to maintain it, without hazardiug
greater evils than would perhaps. attend a separa-
ton, that yielded my assent, in Obedience 30 the
voice OF Georgia, to try the experiment Just resulting
SO diSastroqSy to Indeed. during The lghole la
nendbte conflict, it my opinion that however the
pending strife might terminate far the appeal
TO the sword was concerned, after while when the
passions and excitement OF the day should pass
away, an dGJussmea or arrangement 1ouid be made
UDon constitutional principles. upon general basis
OF reciprocal advantage and mutual convenience on
which the Union was first established
My earnest desire, however, throughout all, was
whatever might be done might be peaceably done;
might be the result Of calm. dspassionate and en-
hghtened reason, looking to the Permanent interest
and welfare Of all. And now, after the severe cLsS
tsement of war, If the general sense of tha yrhSIa
country shall come back to tho acknowledgements of
the 9rlgAal assumption thatit is for the hesf ntees
ot ll the States to be so united as trust il will the
States stI being distinct the billows but one as
the sea, L can perceive no reason why-under such
reSt0rauon.we, as a whole, with peace commerce.
and honest friendship with all nations and entanS
ling alliances with none, may not enter upon nav
career, eyaclng Increased wonder IA The old world
by the grander achievements hereafter TO be made
than any heretofore attained, by the peaceful and
harmonious workings workings OF our american institutions
of sefgOvernment. All this is possible, if the hearts
of the peaplebe right II is y 10 see it,.
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