The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1866-03-14
ADD SIS
Hon. Alexander q. Stephens,
Before the General Assembly of the State of Gser.
gia. February ssd, 1856.


gia, February ed. 1856.
Genikmea ef he Ssaafs
and Hcuse Of Representatives.
fappear before you in answer to your
call. This call. coming in the imposing
farm il does. and under the circumstances
il does, requires response from me. You
have assigned 10 me very high and very
honorable and responsible position. This
position Won kns~ ! did not seek. Most
willingly would | have avoided il. and
nothing but an extraordinary sense Of do.
" could have indsced me TO yield my own
disinclinatipns and avsrsions 10 your wish
cs aud judgment in the matter. For this
unusual manifestation of esteem and con
hdence | return you my profound seknowl-
edgments Of gratitude. 0f one thing only
cen give y-s any assurance, and that is,
If shall be permitted 10 di.charg. the
trusts thereby iaposed, they will be dis.
charged with q singieness Of purpose TO the
public good. The great ohjec, with mr.
DOW is 10 see restoration. If possible. Of
peace. prosperity. and eonstitutivnal lib.
.srty IN this once happy but now disturbed,
lgiisied. and distracted country. To this
Ind all my energies and efurts, 10 the ex
tent ui their powers, will be devoted.
You AK nv views on the existing state
af affairs, our duties AZ the present, and
the prospects Of the future. This is task
from which. under ordinary circumstances.
might very well shrink. lie who ven
lures 10 speak and 10 give counse! and adj
vice in tunes VI peril or disaster assumes
no ensiable position. Far be that rash
ness iran nc which sometimes prompts the
forward TO rush in where angels might fear
- tread. In responding therefore briefly
10 your Inquiries. feel. trust. the fuil
weight and magnitude II the subject. |,
in,J,es the welfare of millions nsw liv.
tng, aud that y many more millions who
sre u come after us. an also fully i'm.
pressed 9th the consciousness. ri the in.
concrissbls small eject .f ~hat shall say
upon the mnAentouS results involved IN
the subject itself. Il j. with these feelings
Dfrcr ny r,itc nf counsel az yUur request
sud 10 the usisct Of the undertaking. llm.
tad A. II j. ,nlrnled 70 be tpa lew gener.
al idea. only. Well may initiate an il.
lss,rlous example. invoking aid from On
High that my say nothing on this ucca
sion Which may compromise tie rights, n,
dignity. ur be,l interests n ny country
aean specially the rights. hnaor, dignity
-nd best interest. u the people Of Gsorgia
With their uii.ing. their losses, theil
fuisiortunes, their brrea,rmenis, and thsil
prss-n, utter p,r.tration. NV heart is il
deepest Sympathy. We have reached iha
pniut ~ nur ati'iiss ii which the great qucs
fisn before ., j. 20 be or not 10 be; and j
y w, how; llrpr. ever sprlnging IN ,h'
hnman breast. prompts. even under th'
.re4iesl ralami,ies and ad,ersitirs. neyei
~ despair. AIversiiy i \ severe schuol
terrible Cracihie, both for individual. an,
Communities. We are nav in this school
Ibis efaci'ilf, and should bear ~ mind iha
Al netef negative il IL aciirn, il is al
ssv. p1s tive. 4 /, ever decided III its cf
iefis. one say Of the othrr. II eithe
nskss better u. w1rsc: V either bring
sa' unknown vices, or arousvs dorman
tuivcs. III nursls its tendency is to mak,
saints or repruba,rs; III politics to max,
heroes " issacrtd rs. .fhr irst ind,ca
ion II its VIZ Us TOT guod ~ whicl, hop,
l.uss sni,ously, i The manifestation pt
lr Consciousness, II its nature and extent
spi Tie mnst promising gr1pnds OF hop'
l-r possible gnui f,pn oui present troubles
sr ol things with Us getting better instsa,
., worse. is lhe evident general realization
an TIC part u our people of their psesen
.itJslinn, Of thc evils now upon them, IN,
u lhc greater ones still impending. Thcs,
u j. not ny purpose 10 exaggerate, Il
cruld that would be aseless; nor 20 les
~ III esienuate; that would be worse thai
o.sisss All inlly understand and rcalix,
tben. They .ecl them. ltiswell they do