The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1866-04-28
Extracts from the speech of Alex. H.
stephens g the Georgia Leglslatuse.

p
Der of the U. S. Senate by the Legislature OF
Geofgiat position which he at first declined
bat subsequently, accepted. By request, be
delivered an address before the Legislature,
from which the following extracts are taken
Nextto this another great duty we owe to our.
selves is the exercise Of liberal spirit of forAeaE>
snce among ourselves. The first Step toward 10
cal or general harmony is the Punishment from
our breasts OF every feeling and sentiment calcu-
lated to stir the dlscords of the past. Nothing
could be more ing urious or nschieYeus to the fu
ture OF this country than the agitation at present
of questions that divided the people anterior to or
during the existence Of the late war; On noo =
easion, and especially in the bestowment of office,
ought such differences of opinion in the past ever
TO be mentioned either for or against any one
other wise equally entitled to confidence. These
ideas or sentiments Of other times and clrcumstan
ces are not the germs from which hopeful organi-
cations can now arise. Let al dHerenceS OF 0pln-
ions Ttblchings errors or supposed errors of the
head orheart on the part of am in the past, grow
ing out of these matters, be at once in the deep
ocean of oblivion forever buried. Let there be no
ordinations or denominations on account of acts
of other days-nO canVassing OF past conduct or
motives. Great disasters are, upon US and upon
the whole country, and without inquiry how these
originated, or at whose door the fault should be
laid, let us now, as common sharers of common
misfortune, on all occasions consult only as to
the best means, under the circumstances as we
find them, to secure the best ends toward future
amelioration. Good governments what we want.
This should be the leading desire and the controll
ing object with all, and need not assure you,
this can be obtained that our desolated helds our
towns, villages and cities now in ruins. will soon,
like Phoenix, rise again from their ashes, and all
our waste places will again at no distant day
blossom as the rose. This view should also be
horne in mind thatWhateVer differences of opin-
ion existed before the late fury OF the war, they
sprung mainly from differences. as to the best
means to be used and the best line of policy to be
pursued TO secure the great controlling object Of
ali, which was good government Whatever may
be said of the loyalty or disloyaly of any in the
late most lamentable conflict Of arms, think
may venture safely to say that there was, on the
part of the great mass of the people of Georgia
and the entire South, no disloyaty to the princi7
pies of the Constitution of tie United States, to-
that system Of representative government of dele
gated and limited powers that establishment in a.
new phase on this continent OF all the essentials
of highlands Magma Charta, for the protection
and security of life liberty and property with the
additional recognition of the principle, asa funda.
mental truth, that political power resides in the
people, With US it was simply a question as to-
where our allegiance was due i'll the maintenance
of these, principles, which authority was para>
mount in the last resort-State or Federal As
for myself, can affirm that no sentiment of dis
ment recognized and embodied in the Constitu-
ton Of the United States, ever beat or throbbed
in breast or heart OF mine. To their maintenance
my whole soul was ever enlisted, and to this end
my whole life has heretofore been devoted, and
will continue to be the rest of my days God will
ing. In devotion tolthese principles yield tono
man living. This much | can say for myself.
MAY [ not say the same for you and for the great
mass of the people of Georgia, and for the great
mass of the people OF the entire South What
III
ences as to the best and surest means OF securing
those great ends, which was the object of all. 1t
was with this view and this purpose secession was
tried. That has failed. Instead of lettering our
condition, instead of establishing our liberties up
on surer foundation, we have, in the war that
ensued, come well nigh losing the whole of the
rich inheritance with which We set out.
We all have our notes or beams. We are all
rail; perfection is the attribute of none; prejudice
or prejudgment should be INDUCED toward none. |
Preiudicel What wrongs, what injuries, what |
mischefs, what lamentable consequences have re-
suited at all times from nothing but this perver
sity Of the intellect OF all the obstacles to the
advancement oftruth and human progress, in every
department, in sciences in art, in government and
in religion, in all ages and chimes, not of the
list is more formidable-more difficult to overcome
and subdue-than this horrible distortion of the
moral well as the intellectal faculties. 1t is
host of evil Withinitsef. could eLioin no great
duty upon my country now, North and South,
than the exercise of that degree Of forbearance
which would enable them to conquer their preju-
dices. One of the highest exhibitions of the NOR
al sublime the world ever witnessed was that OF
Daniel Webster, when, in an open barouche, in
the streets of Boston, he proclaimed in substance
to vast assembly of his Notwithstanding |
hearers-that they had conquered an uncongen- |
ial cline; they had conquered sterile soil; they
had conquered the winds and elements of the |
ocean; they had conquered most of the elements of
nature, but they must yet learn to conquer their
prejudices." / know of no more fitting incident
or scene in the life of that wonderful man clGris
Ell UiT fOTtisSus, for perpetuatng the memory of |
the true greatness Of his character on canvass or
in marble, than representation of him as he then
and there stood and spoke. 1t was an exhibition
of moral grandeur surprising that of Arstides, |
when he said, "On Athenians. what Themstocles |
recommends would be greatly to your interest, |
but it would be greatly uujust" say to you and
If my voice could extend throughout this vast
country, over hill and dale, over mountain and
valley-to hovel, hamlet and mansion village |
town and city would say first of all, looking to |
restoration of peace, prosperity and harmony in |
this land, is the great duty of exercising that de-
gree of forbearance which will enable them to]
conquer their prejudces-p rejudices against COM
munities as we'll as Northumberland that next to |
that the indulgence of Christian spirit of charity
Judge not that ye be not judged" especially in |
matters growing out of the late war. Most of the |
wars that have scourged the world, even in the |
Christian era, have risen points of conscience
or difference as to the surest way of salvation. AL
strange way to heaven, is it not 2 How much dis.
grace to the Church and shame to mankind would
have been avoided if the ejaculation of each
hrpacf O of oil CHI 1,ox,o