The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-04-18
The Reconstruction COMMUNICATIONS oil
Hon. Alexander III. Stephens.

He could not answer as 10 the existence OF
IN opinion generally that the idea of secession
rs 4 right still remained among The people,
though he did say ii would be dlilcult, rs wen
as unusual, for Il whole people TO change their
convictions upon abstract truths ana prinu-
pies. The war, by its practical operation
among themselves III its results upon lheir own
authorities and their indiNIdual rights OF person
and property, and the breaking down of con
Stitulioual barriers, had Influenced change
of opinion rs 10 the policy OF secession, not
withstandng the almost unanimous support
which the Southern cause had received upon
the proglamation OF Mr. Lincoln. in l>Gl call
ing for volunteers. Had the ORDINANCE" OF Sc
cession been submitted within Il reasonable
time, OF Immediately after us adoption, =
majority OF the people would have adopted
it, but if South Carolina and the other States
had not acted, perhaps very decided majority
would have been against 1t i'll Georgia. Inc
ma iOritY OF members OF The convention III
favor of secession, elected 10y the people, was,
perhaps, thirty out OF about three hundred.
In the mountain districts the l mon Sthtnnent
was prevalent at first, though the cities ana
towns were generally for secession, but thtrc
never was ANYTHING like Il sectional division III
the State. The belief OF the peopl" that Their
constitutional liberties We're assalled repoScd
mainly III their social pollty, and their appre-
tensions from the general consolidating Ten
denotes of the doctrines and prlnclplcS OF lhal
pOlltical party which had recently succeeded III
the choice of II President. He thought that
the apprehension OF Il subVerslon OF the Con-
Stitution and its essential guarantees Oh pup
lie liberty by this successful party was Tue
sincere honest conviction in the minds OF III"
people of Georgia which led them toact rs
they did.
At present, Mr.. Stephens thought that tn"
emancipation of the slaves was sencrallN
acuuipsced III and accepted III good falth, win
the disposition 10 do the best that can be dohe
under the new order Of things, the relations
subsistiug between the white ana pl'tck peole
being quite as good rs that existing anywhere
else in the world between like classes OF EN-
ployer and employed. Since christmas, Inc
freedmen, having gotten RIA OF thelr lucas OF
obtaining land from the Government, Were
RAPIDLY settling themselves down 10 WORN, anu
readily entering into con tracts, thouSh pre-
yious TO having their minds dlsabllsed OF this
error they We're not disposed TO make engage
mrnts for labor. There are sun some ldlefS,
but the number is comparatively few, ana Inc
behavior OF all, he said, was mucn Detlel thlil
the most hopeful had looked for. lhey appear
principally TO desire protection Oh person an"
property and to be dealt by fairly ana justly,
and the State laws which had been enacted
secured these rights to them. Though nothing
had been done by the state authorities Tor eau
eating the negroes, schools were beng eStap-
lished under other auspices, and All seem ae>i'
rous TO educate their children. The laws re-
cogniZe those negroes living together rs man
and wife rs legally such, and there Is no dlhrl
ence between whites and blacks rs regArus TIE
issue of licenses to marry.
Tie voting population of Georgia in 1860
was stated by Mr.. Stephens to have been one
hundred thousand, and at present he ap
proyimated il at eighty thousand. Inc
amended State Constitution had never beeh
submitted TO the people, though Mr.. stephens
supposed it would have been ratlhed by hllle-
tenths. The general opinion OF the State i
very much aVerse TO any extension on VI the
right of suffrage. He did not think the people
would ratity L proposition OF representation
as precedent condition to the restoration VI
the State TO political power In the ToNerh'
ment. They feel now that they are cntltirut
ion nt
In representation without further conditions.
They would not object TO exchange ana uiS-
cuss views i'll the common couhclls vi tho
country with the other states upon any pro
uosiliou 10 amend the Constitution, or cilanSe
any of lis features, and they would ABIDE by
such change if made as the constitution pro
vides. They are willing, he thonght 70 iea,e
the basis of representation Where tne ,olSt,
tuition leaves il and while they are disposed 10
deal fairly and generously with the freedmen
would not be willing 10 make any change III the
Constitution that would gave Congress JuiIs
dictIon over the question OF suffrage, IN"
especially would they be aVerse 10 lhs &c. e.
else of such jurisdiction unrepresenled III III
gress and with no voice IN the couhclis. ho
did not believe the people would acceP, as .
condition precedent either 10 extend sun
to the negro or TO exclude him from .ne o'si
If representa- tion because they hold thhtSoh-
gress has no right, under the Constitution 10
prescribe anything of the sort. If Georgia -
a State in the Union, she Is entitled 10 fePte
sentation; If she Is not an equal, then sno
could not be admitted as IN equal ana 1T the
same time be trammeied with conditions not
onulied to all the rest of the States Ill tue
Union alike General universal sunrase
among the negroes, as they now are, "ohid ne
retarded rs about as great poiilicai e'ii rs
could befail the people OF Georgia
Question Would they extend Suffrage 10
those who could read, and TO those VINO haa
served the Union rs soldiersf
lie thought the people would be unwliiin n.y., -
~ hay az
Restricted or limited suffrage would not Dc 81