Smyrna times., 1866-02-28
Mr.. Stephens Speech.


invitation an address before the Legislature of
that otate on WashingtOn's birthday. Mr..
stephens had shortly before been elected to
represent Georgia in the United States Senate
!" hatcVcr he chose to say would in any event
nave an Importance on the opinion of the ablest
Southern politician. What he now saws is
especially important because he speaks for his
state and to his State, and must be presumed
to say the best word he can to advance her
interests.
:, We frankly accord to this addres saws the "
T. Tribune, the praise of being perhaps the
best yet proceeding from any citizen south of
MASON and Dixon's line. 1t contains some
good advice to his constituents, and some sound
views of public affairs. He counsels patience
lie reminds his hearers that they must expect
to endure such ills as now befall them, hken-
ing his listening constituents to a man with
broken leg, who must for the time tolerate his
spilnts and bandages-that is, must tolerate
exclusion from Congress, payment of taxes.
military rule, deprivation of postal facilities
ana other matters on the long list of our pre-
sent lnconyenlences. In order that the peo.
pie may advance to better state, they must
snow harmony among themselves and renewed
loyalty to the Government.
:, 1t IS OF more consequence to inquire what
MI stephens proposes for the future. He
does not leave us in doubt on this any more
than on the other point: ave should accept
the issues OF the war, and abide by them in
good faith. What are the issues thus settled? /?
FIRST, that Georgia is in the Union, not out of
1t and that the whole United States. there
fore, is now, without question, or country. to
be cherished and defended as such by all our
hearts and by all our arms"
That at least is something. Next, Slavery
has been destroyed. Whether for better or for
worse IS not important; it is gone, and the new
state OF things is to be accepted. Many chang
es must follow. Old codes of law become OBJ
solete; For the negroes wise and human laws
should be made. Mr.. Stephens uses language
which for Southerner Of this generation is
remarkable. Ample and full protection
should be secured to them, so that they NAV
start equal before the law in the possession and
enjoyment of all rights of personal liberty and
property That has even a favor Of the
Declaration in it. Could Mr.. Stephens but
persuade his Georgia Legislature to frame such
opinions into statutes! He praises the fidelity
OF the negro in times past; admits his capacity
Tor improvement, and correctly lays down the
principle that the object of government is the
good OF the governed, including those of Afri.
can descent, looking to the greatest attaina-
Die advancement, improvement, and progress,
physical, intellectual, and moral, of ali classes
and conditions within their rightful iurisdic
ton. Again, all obstacles, if there be any,
should be removed, which can possibly hinder
or retard the blacks to the extent of their cana
city. Education should be open to them
not only TOR their own sake, but for that of the
community. 1T is difficult" SAYS HIr. Ste
phens, very explicitly and sensibly, ito conceive
a greater evil or curse than could befalI our
country, stricken and distressed as it now is,
Tor so large portion of It's population as this
class will quite probably constitute among us
hereafter, to be reared in ignorance, deprayity,
and vice. Again we say could but this belief
of MIR. Stephens be translated into Georgia
law, and into law for the Southern States. the
problems OF reconstruction were amazingly sim
pilhed. We wish the State Legislatures might
take the advice Of their counselor to "do the
best they can with their problem" Sure thev
may be that somehow the problem has got to
be solved, and can by no means be shirked out
of sight.
1t is fair to admit, thinks Mr.. Stephens, that
the outlook for the South is somewhat gloomy
We judge that his best hopes lie in the two
conditions above stated, genuine LOYALTY IN
the. Union and justice to the negro. And he
makes the remarkable admission-especiallv
remarkable for the second executive officer of
the Rebel Contcderacy, that during tho
whole lamentable conflict il was nv obinion
that, however the pending strife might termi-
nate, so far as the appeal to the sword w.s
concerned, after while, when the nass;on.
and excitement of the day should pass oJ. owov
an adjustment would be made on eou;tabIs
principles, upon general basis of recinrocaI
advantage and mutual convenience on wb;.h
the Union was first establishedy" That can
only mean that Mr.. Stephens was from the
hrst hopeless Of what is called Southern Inde.
pendence, and he now expressly declares that
&C 1 can see no reason why the good sense ofthe
states shall not perceive their true interests to
ie inside the Union-such new Uaon as he |
lS aDn descr bed Would that the States 10 |