The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-02-28
Alexander III. Stephens.

From the World.
The Tribune publishes editorially Just COM
mendation of the speech made by Alexander H.
Stephens before the Georgia Legislature, on the
anniversary of Washingtons birthday. "We
frankly accord to this address, says The Tribune,
''the praise OF being perhaps the best yet pro-
ceeding from any citizen south of Mason and
Dixons line. 1t contains some good advice to
his constituents, and some sound views on pub
lie affairs.n We are glad to repeat and indorse
this praise. Its source and its evident sincerity
give it value unperceived by it's author, as
bearing en- the question OF Southern representa-
ton in Congress. #n .1.r
We put it to the Tribune to consider whether
men holding the views and cherishing the senti-
ments expressed by Mr.. Stephens in his late
speech, would not be more useful in a public
station than rustng in the obscurity of private
life. 1t is the policy OF that paper and its poll
teal confederates to ostracize from public life
the whole class Of what it styles "ex-Rebels."
We think, on the contrary, that truly repent
ant Rebel If he has been able and conspicuous,
is the best apostle of loyalty. If we wished to
cure the Radicals of their delusion, we know of
few men whom, as missionaries for this purpose,
we would prefer TO Mr.. Greeley, ii we could only
convert him. Mr.. Beecher's accession to Presi-
dent Johnson's supporters will do more to pro-
selyte Republicans than could be accomplished
by score of the best Democrats in the country.
Ii we could see Sumner, and Thaddeus Stevens,
and Wendell Phillips, and Garrison, drop
ping like autumn leaves into the lap of Recon
struction, we should proclaim, on the most con-
yinclng grounds, that the summer of radicalism
past, lis harvest ended, and the country saved.
The same argument applies with equal force to
what the Tribune calls the 'ex-Rebels,n phrase
which carries an admission that they are Rebels
no longer. In proportion as they are men of
position, sagacity, eloquence, and address, it is
the more important that they should be selected
tor official prominence, Mr.. Stephens was OF In
bnitely more service TO the Rebellion as Vice
President ol the Southern Contederacy, than he
could have been as private citizen. His late
speech is OF far more value, it will command
more attention, and exert more potent inhu-
ence, from the TACT that he has lust been elected
by Georgia as one of her United States Sena
tors. But ii the radical policy is persisted in
lit this able and eloquent advocate of the
Union has the door OF the Senate slammed in
his face, and is remanded to the obscurity OF
his plantation--his salutary influence will be
in great measure lost, for want of an appro
pirate sphere OF exertion. he win be Of as
little account as the 'village Hampdens,n or the
"mute, inglorious Millions" OF Grays "Elegy.'
| The South needs statesmen; she needs men ol
| moderation, sagacity, personal honor, and poll
tical experiences; she needs men in whom she
does and We safely may, conhde, 10 guide hei
counsels, and water with patriotic assiduity the
| replanted and budding tree OF Southern Union
ism. But il present loyalty is not permitted tC
atone Tor past rebellion, the South will be given
over to the guidance OF upstarts and nobodes
and will founder on nobody can tell whittier
| buae's commendatory artlcle:-
| 1t ls of more consequence to inquire what Mr.
/ Stephens proposes Tor the luture tie does moi
leave us in doubt on tins any more than on tht
| Other point 1--we should accept the issues of thC
war, and abide by them in rood faltn." What arr
the issues tbus settledi First that Georgia is thC
Union, not out OF 1t; and that 1.-The who o UniteC
States, therefore, IS now, without question, oui
country, to be cherished and defended as such bl
al. our hearts ana by ali our arms" That at eas
| Is some hing Next slavery has been destroyed
1t IS gone and the new state of things Is to be &C
cepteds Many changes must follow. Old codes o
law become obsolete. For the negroes wise ant
humane laws should be made. Mr.. Stephens use
language which for q SoutherneT of tuis genera
ton Is remarkable; "Ampe and full PROTECTION
should be secured to them, SO that they may star
equal before the Jaw in the possession and enjoy
That has even q flavor OF the Declaration in II
COuld Mr.. Stephens but persuade his Georgii
Legislature to frame such opinions into statutes
He praises the hdelity OF the negro In time past
admits his capacity Tor Improvement and correctl
lays down he principle that the Iobject Of govern
ment is the gocd Of The governed, including thos
OF African descent Cooking 20 the greatest attain
able advancement, Improvement, and progress, ply
neal intellectual and moral, OF oil Glasses and con
dihOns within their rightiul jurisdiction Again
"All obstacles If therel be any, shoU be removed
which can possibly hinder or rtard the blacks :
the extent their capacity" Education should b
open TO them, not only for their own sake but 10
that Of the community. 1T Is difhcult" says Mi
Stephens very explicitly and sensibly, 'to cor
ceve greater evil or curse than could befall on
country, stricken and distressed II Is for )
quite probably constitute among us hereafter, TO