The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-04-18

alone to repulate-a question exclusively of
State policy, ~ they believe The only view,
In their opinion, that could Justify the war
which was carried on by the Federal Govern
mcnt against them was the idea of the indivi-
sibility of the Union that those who held the
administration for the time were bound to exc
cute the laws and preserve the integrity OF the
country under the Constitution. This having
been accomplished, and those advocating seces-
sion and reserved sovereignty of the states
having abandoned their cause, and the admin
istration triumphant in maintaining It's 1dea
upon which war was proclaimed and waged,
and on which alone il could be justified at all,
the people of Georgia supposed their State
was Immediately entitled 10 all her rights I'M
der the Constitution. That was his opinion
and he thought they would be- unwilling TO do
more precedent 10 being permitted To ENJOY the
full measure of their constitutional rlghts
The people eXpecte Immediately on the aban-
Comment of the Confederate cause, 10 De
brought back into their practical relations
with the Government as previously constl-
uted This they looked for, with representa-
ton aS loval men-loyal to law, order, and the
Constitution. They did what they did bellev-
ing It was best for the protection of consntu-
tiOnal liberty: for the great mass OF the people
were ALWAYS as loyal TO the Constitution OF the
United States, as they construed ii, as any
people ever were towards any cause.
When they found they were not successful
in their object, in perfect good faith, LOOKING
To the future developments of their country
in its material resources, as well rs lis moran
and intellectual progress, their earnest desire
and expectation was 10 allow the past strus-
Gle lamentable rs it was III its results, to pass
by, and to cooperate with the true friends OF
the constitution, with those oil all seCtiohS
who earnestly desire the preservation OF con-
stitutional liberty and the perpetulty OF the
Government in its purity. They have been Il
little disappointed in this, and are so now
but they wait patiently. believing that When
the passions of the hour have passed away,
the delay III restoration will cease.
Mr. Stephens, in answer to questions, men
went on to state that his own individual OPT
Mon was decidedly that the question oil SUI
fragr was for the States respectively ana eN-
rlusively and that it was best for the peace
and harmony OF the whole country tnaI
restoration should be immediate, when Inc
representatives from the South might be
heard, and all could Judge much better OF the
tone and temper OF the people IMAM Ill any
other way. As il is, he thought the people OF
the South felt kccnly that they are denied the
right to lie heard. He then further alluded 10
his individual views expressed III ltte
speech before the Georgia Legislature IL MS
present opinion. , ,,z .,
States that are represented in Congress, ana
Congress itself, should be Of the opinion thtt
Georgia should not be permitted 10 TAKE ltS
place in the government OF the country "a,
cent upon its assent 10 one or the other OF the
two nrnuoSi tiOnS-tO extend suffrage or 10
exclude the negro from the basis OF representa-
ton as suggcs tcd--iS il then your opinion that,
under such circumstances, 'he '7'''' o"s' ~
decline .
Witness. You mean the States now repre-
sented, and those only ? Qnestioner-l rs.
Witness y on mean by Congress, Congress
! as il is now constituted, with the other tleNei'
States excluded Qucstoner.-l DO.
WitncSs-Amd Won mean the same alttrha-
tive propositions 10 be applied TO All me eleNrh
States as conditions precedent 10 their restora-
ton QucStioner.-l do. ,.
Answer. Then think She ought TO declIne,
undpr the circums tauces, and for the reasons
stated, and 80 ought the whole eleven ShGuio
such an offer he made and declined, anu theSe
States should thus continue TO berNGi"ue" ''li"
kept out, u singular spectacle would be pre-
Sentpd complete reversal OF POSITIONS
would be presented. In 1861, these STATES
thought they could remain safely III llle ! mon
without new guarantees, ana now, Whth tllcS
arrpn IN rpurW their former practical relations
in the I'uion under the Constitution rs II Is,
the other States turn upon them ana say lliey
cannot permit them 10 do so safely 10 thelI III
/ trrrSt without new guarantees on lheIl pau
The southern States would thus present them
salves rs willing for Immediate union under
the Constitution, while ii would be the north
crn States opposed to ii. The former olS ,
uniOuists would thereby become unlonlsts, ana
the former unioniStS the practical dlsltnlohlSIS
Mr. S,rphrus said he believed the States had
abolished slavery in good faith, anu the RAIN
cation of the constitutional amendment loi-
lowed rs a consequence OF the war lLouE II Nv
did not think there was any cohstlulloI'l
rs a condition precedent 10 restoration uhue[
the Constitution, or TO the resumption Oh
their places rs members OF the Ihloh ny the
States -
The validity of The laws, he said, passed by
CONGRESS in the absence of the Senators ana
REPRESENTATIVES, of the eleven states depended
unon their c0uStitutiOuality, which was TO De
decided by the courts. As the Congress ana
! moi consent TO the withdrawal OF the seeding
States they have had the continuous rlght 10
rrprpsrntation to bp exercised rs soon rs u y
/ make known their readiness 10 resume Il" II
rights under the Constitution rs States.
lie said further. that he doubted whether
the laws passed 10y Congress IN the absence OF
Senators and Representatives from the ticNtl
States leyying taxes upon all IN" people Oh nv
United States, would be constitutional. IL
. would certainly he unjust, and against All
ideas of American representative government
hut its constimtionality would be question
for the Judiciary, by whose decision he "ouia
abide whatever ii would be.
In conclusion, Mr.. Stephens stated that the
influencing considerations and Opinions ieao-
ing him 10 identify himself win the rebrllioh
50 far as TO accept the office OF lce-fresideh'
of the Confederate States were thorough oe-
/ lief in the reserved sovereignty of the states.
He onpospd secession as Il question OF pollcy,
but believed his ultimate allegiance was dhe
! IN his State and he therefore chose rather 10
cast his lot with her than 10 take any othrr
course even though il might lead TO ms stcrl-
flee and 10 her ruin.