The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-08-02
cKAwYoRpsvrLLr, GA, July ss. 1856.

Hon, Montgomery Blair, Washington, d. c.: ~
DEAR SIR-Your letter of the 18th inst is be-
fore me- thank you heartily for it. No man
in the United States did or could more cordially
approve and indorse the objects of the proposed
Union Convention at Philadelphia, under
stood them, than do, and yet, from considers
tions of expediencey, doubted the propriety of
nv taking active part in it. ] was also in
doubt, to some extent, whether, with other
views on the part of those who made the call,
the words were not so phrased in the call as to
exclude all who occupied u similar position to
my own, and from other considerations those
which had occurred to me-. Your letter relieves
me from the last class of doubts; but those of
the other class still exist, notwithstanding your
strong views to the contrary. Individually, my
whole soul is enlisted in the cause OF speedy,
full, and perfect restoration of the government
under the constitution, as it now stands There
is nothing within my power that l am not will
ing cheerfully to do to effect aud accomplish
that end Indeed you will excuse me in saying
it, but it is the truth, would be willing to offer
up my life ITSELF if by so doing this great result
could be obtained, and peace, union, harmony,
prosperity, happiness and constitutional liberty
be thereby secured to the millions hereafter to
live on this continent. fs
There are many personal embarrassments or
difficulties in the way of the convention. These
| alluded to before, but am resolved to be there
if can. In event shall it be ever truthfully
said of me that failed to do everything in my
power to save the country and its Institutions
did in 1860, exert my efforts to their utmost
extent to avoid the late most lamentabls war,
and to save the Union, constitutional princi-
pies without ii conflict of arms. This did, too,
while manv of those now so clamorous for what
they call the L uion cause were giving encour-
agement at leastto the extreme men At the
south, by clearly and decidedly intmatng, If
not fully expressing, perfect willingness on their
part that the Onion might slide if the people of
the south so wiiled it. | was even tainted with
endeavoring to bold our people on to a union
that was no longer cared for by the leading men
| of the dominant party at the NORTH withstood
these taunts even when knew, or was Informed
truly, as believed, that there was an organized
body of men in Savannah to seize the custom
house, Fort Pulaski, and in case the senate did
not sece6e. s
All this stated to you, and TO which you al
lude in your letter before me ; nor should have
any hesitancy in stating it to the public if any
pnblic good could thereby be effected. The pub
lie good is my only object How best to sub
serve that consistently with truth, honor and
uprightness is the only question with me: per-
sonal interests have no influence with me what
ever at least think so, and may be excused for
saying so. HAD | been governed by personal
feelings | should have had nothing to do with
the late troubles, further than entering my
nest protest against them Aud had | been
governed by personal feeling should not now be
in the situation am. If the Union should be
restored under the constitution, as earnestly
desire to see it done, and am willing % do all
can toward that end, it is my fixed purpose to
retire forever from all connection with public
affairs, SO that while it would. seem that my
present efforts are tending to resuh In which
have Llore or less personal interest-that is, ad-
mission a senator in congress-yet l assure
you never expect or intend to hold that posi-
ton long, even if the seat should be awarded to
me. tsSt "a r ASK
ours truly,
--.-s.s4 s ALEXANDER Ii. STEPHENS.