The Daily empire. (Dayton, Ohio) 1865-1867, 1866-03-03
Speech of Hon. Alexander III. ste
phens.

Speech of Hon. Alexander III. Ste
phens.
On the 22d of February, Hon. ALFxAN-
DER II. STEPHENS delivered a speech. upon
tie Duties Of the Hour, 10 the Georgia
Legislature at Mllledgeville. 1t has been
described, by those who heard Il. az the
ablest and most eloquent effort of his life.
We make the following synopsis of some
of the leading points OF the address.
| The speech Begins with the declaration
that the great object of his life now Is res
| toratlon, peace, prosperity and constitu-
ttonal freedom to our disturbed and un-
happy country. To bring about this end,
he invites all TO cooperate, and tells them
their first duty is the cultivation and exer-
else of patience, TO bear with fortitude
their present misfortuncs, as this is essen
tial 10 their ultimate and speedy removal.
Among these Affections and misfortunes nc
enumerates their being Obliged to nav n
proportion of the taxes while denied n
representation In Congress; their partial
subsection to military rule: their being
without post-oiiices and mail communca-
tions, and so on. All of these he saws they
must patiently endure. and warns them
that bad humor, ill-temper, and grImbling
viii not hasten their deliveranee. Next, he
eXhorts them to exhibit spirit of forbear-
ancc among themselves; to forget the past.
and neither in social, commercial or politi-
cal matters. to agitatc any questions that
divided the people prior TO the war. He
earnestly deprocatcs any canVassing of past
conduct or motives; he assures them that
the present Governments Is what they want
and that internal harmony alone will in
sure greatness and prosperity to the State
The following IL perhaps the most extraor-
dinary passage of his speech
Whatever may be said of the loyalty or
disloyalty of any in the late lamcntable
conflict of arms, there was on the part of
the great mass nf the people of Georgia and
the entire South no dsloyalty to the princi-
pies of the Constitution of the United
states. with us II was n question as to
where our allegiance was due in the mai-
tenance of those iplcs-which author
NY was paramount, the state of Georgia or
the federal government. As for myself
can Affirm that no sentiment of disloyalty
to these great principles of self government
recognized and embodied in the Constitu-
tion of the United States ever beat or throb-
bed in this breast or heart of mine; to their
maintenance my whole soul was ever de-
voted; To this end my whole life has here
toiorc been devoted. and will continue to
be the rest of my life, God willing. In de-
votlon to these principles yield to no man
living. This much ! can say for myself
May not say the same for You, and for the
great mass OF the people of Georgia and
the entire South. Whatever differences
existed among MS arose from differences as
To the best and surcSt means of securing
these great ends. which were the object of
all. IL was with this view and this purpose
secession was tried. That has failed. In
stead of bCttcriug our condition and estab-
fishing our liberties upon a surer founda-
ton, we have IN the war that cnsued. come
well nigh losing the whole rich inheritance
with which we set out"
Having advanced these views. Mr.. Ste
phens says Georgia must accept the results
OF the war and obey them in good faith.
because she has by her own act revoked
the secession ordinance of 1861, and reor-
daincd the Constitution of the United
states as the organic law of the State and
consequently her citizens must now con-
slider the whole United States as their coun-
try, to be cherished aud defended as such
by all their hearts and arms. lie defines
loyalty to mean the present acknowledge
mcnt that the Constitution of the United
states, and the laws made in pursuance
thereof are paramount law In the whole
country; that whoever does this Is loyal as |
far rs the term has any legitimate force In |
our institutions, and that the Constitution |
itself requires no other kind of loyalty.
What he says about the freedmen will be |
approved.
He declares the legislation for them must |
be wise and humane; reminds his hearers |
OF the fidelity aud service of the negroes !
in times past; recalls their moderation and
torbcarance even in the hours of evil. and |
declares that the people of the South owe |
Chem debt of gratitude as well as of kind !
ness. lie commends them to the Legisla-
ture because the are poor, uniformed, and |
many OF them helpless, and liable to be
imposed upon. They need protection, and
legislation should ever be for the protection /
of the weak against the strong. No possi-
BILE harm can come from efforts to elevate
the negro, and much good may.
The speech closed with an eloquent ex-
preston Of hope in the future, provided all !
rally around the great standard bearer of
the Constitution and liberty, President
j Johnson.