The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-08-01

1
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~S-s--
The ePhllRdeIphIa COnventIOn.-.Steph
ems Letter I'm Full.
To the Editors Of the National I1lteILi-
gencer:' t
GENTLEMEN beg a place in YOUR
columns for the enclosed letter to me
from Hon. Alexander 81, Stephens. In
committing it to the press am taking
a questionable liberty with him, for
the letter is marked private. But in
the present circumstances of tho coun-
try, think it so desirable that the peo-
pie should know the real temper of the
South, that feel justified in publish
ing this letter from one who. at the
outbreak of the war, was the represen-
tative man of the Union party of the
South, and is the recognized exponent
of the Southern sentiment ut this mo-
ment. President Lincoln had great
confidence in Mr.. Stephens. He told
me repeatedly y that he had offered him
a seat in the Cabinet. and he retained
great regard for him to the last.
Yours respectfully, NJ. BLAIR.
CRAwFoRDsv1LLE, GA, July %, 1866.
Hon. Montgomery Blair, Washington,
d. O:
DEAR SIR: Your letter of the 18th
inst is before me. THANK you heartily
for it. No man in the United States
did, or could more cordially approve
and endorse the objects of the proposed
Union Convention at Philadelphia, as 1
understood them, than / did, and vet,
from considerations or expediency, 1
doubted the propriety of me taking an
active part in it. was also in doubt,
to some extent, whether, with other
views.On the part of those who made
the call, the words were not so phrased
IN1Ns, s,.,11 80 i, III
pied n similar position to my own, and
from other considerations as those
which had occurred to me. Your let
ter relieves me from the last class of
doubts; but those of the other class
still exist, notwithstanding your
strong views to the contrary.
Individually my whole soul
is enlisted in the cause of a speedy, full,
and perfect restoration of the Govern
ment under the Constitution, and its
perInanency under that Constitution,
as 1t now stands. There is nothing
within my power that am not willing
cheerfully to do to effect and accom-
plish that end. Indeed, you will ex-
cuse me in saying it, but it is the truth,
| would be willing to offer up my life
itself, If by SO doing this great result
could be obtained, and peace, union,
harmony, prosperity, happiness and
constitutional liberty be thereby secur-
ed to The millions now living, and the
untold millions hereafter to live on this
continent. There are many personal
embarrassments or difficulties in the
way of my going to the Convention,
These alluded to before, but am re-
solved to be there if I can. In no event
shall It be ever truthfully said of me
that I failed to do everything in nv
power to save the country and its insti-
tutions. I did in 1850 exert my efforts
to their utmost extent to avoid the late
most lamentable war, and to save the
Union en- constitutional principles
without conflict of arms. This did,
too, while many of those now SO clam
cause, were giving encouragement at
least to the extreme men at the South,
by clearly and decidedly intimating, If
not fully expressing, a perfect willing
ness on their part that the Union
might slide if the people OF the
south SO wllled It. was taunt-
ed with endeavoring to hold our
people on 10 n Union that was no long
er cared for by leading men ofthe DOM
inant party at the North. withstood
these taunts 6ven Wien / knew, or was
informed truly, as believed, that there
was an organized body of men in Sa-
vanah to seize the e-Custom-hOuse, Fort
Pulaski, and in case the Senate did not
secede. All that is stated to you, and
to which you allude in your letter be-
fore me; nor should 1 have any hesitan-
cy in stating it to the public fany
public good could thereby be effected.
The public good is my only object
How best to subserve that, consistently
with truth, honor and uprightness Is
the only question with me, personal
interests have no influence with me
whatever, at least 1 think SO, and
be excused for saying so. Had been
governed by personal feeling should
have nothing to do with the late trou-
ble; further than entering my earnest
protest against them. And had been
governed by personal feeling should
not now be in the situation Lam. If
the Union shall be restored under the
Constitution, as 1 earnestly desire 10
see it done, and am willing to do all
1 can toward that end, it is my fixed
purpose to retire forever from all con-
nection with public affairs, SO that,
while 1t would seem that my present
efforts are tending to result in which
~ have more or less personal interest
that Is, admission as Senator in Con-
gress-yet assure you never expect
Or intend to hold that position long,
even II the seat should be awarded 10
me. Yours truly.
ALExANDER n. STEPHENS.