The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-02-24

The Legislature of Georgia some weeks ago,
elected Alexander H. Stephens, late Vice-Presi-
dent Of the Southern Confederacy, to represent
them in the United States Senate. MIR. Stephens
peremptorily declined, believing his prominent
connection with the Davis Rebellion to be an
insuperable objection to his presence at Wash
ipgton as Senator. At the same time the
Legislature invited him to make formal public
address before them upon political topics. He
consented, and Washington's birthday was Sc.
lected as the time.
MIRA Stephens Speech.
MIL IEpeEvILLE, Ca, February 20 - Gentlemen Of
the Senate and House of Representatives IL appear
before you in answer to your call This call, coming
stances1 1t does, requires response from me. You
have assigned to me very hign and very honorable
and resp0ns b le position. his position you know
oId not seek. Most willingly would have avoided
it, and nothing but an extraordinary sense OF duty
could have induced me to yield my own disinc.ina'
tons and aversions to your wishes and Judgment in
the matter
For tnis unusual manifestation of esteem and con-
fdence return my profound ackno wled gments of
gratitude. OF one thing only can / give you any
assurance and that is, ii shall be permitted to dis
charge the trusts thereby imposed, they will be dis
charged with a singeness OF purpose to the public
good The great object with me low is TO see resto-
ration II possible OF peace prosperity and consttu-
tonal liberty in this once happy but disturbed,
apitated, and distracted country. To this end all
my eDerOies and efforts, to the extent Of their
You ask my views on the existing state of affairs,
our duties at the present aud the prospects OF the
Tuture. This is task from which, under other Cir
cumstances, might very well shrink. He who ven-
lures to speak and to give counsel and advice in
tunes Of peril and disaster assumes no enviabe posi-
ton. Far be that rashness from which some times
prompts the forward TO rush in where angels might
lear 10 Tesa IN S a & ogbe G and %
magnitude of the subject 1t involves the welfare of
millions now living, and that of many more millions
who are to come alter. am also fully impressed
with the consciousness OF the inconceivabiy small
effect OF what shall say upon the momentous results
involved in the subject itself.
1t is with these feelings offer my mite of counsel
at Your request and In the outset OF the undertak ng
Only Well NAV initiate an iIIustrious example,
invoking aid from on High that may say nothing
on this occasion which may compromise the rights,
the dignity or the best interests of my country.
mean specially the rights, honor dignity, and best
interests of the people OF Georgia. With their suf'
eFngs their losses their misfortunes their bereave
ments, ana their present utter prostraton, heart
is IN deepest sympathy. We have reached that
lore us is to be, or not to be-; If to be, howS
Hope, ever sprnging in the human breast,
prompts even under the greatest calamites and I'D
versitles never to despair. Adyersity is a severe
school, terrible crucibe, both for individuals and
communities. We are now in this school, this cruel
ble and should bear in mind that it is never negative
IN its action tit always positive, ii is ever decided
in effects, one way or the other. 1t either makes
better worse, either brings out uDknswn vices, or
arouses dormant virtues. In morals its tendency
to make saints or reproe9tes; IN politics, to make
heroes or desperadoes. The first indication OF
is the manifestation of a tun CONSEQUENCES
of its nature and extent and the most
promising grounds Of hope for possible good
from present troubles or Of things with us get
ting bt tier instead of is The evident general
realization the part OF our people OF their present
situation of the evils now upon them, and of the
greater still impending, 1t is not my purpose
to eXaggerate. If could that would be useless, for
TO lessen extenuate them would be more than use
less. All fully understand and realize them. They
feel them. 1t is we'll they do. Can the evils upon
us, the absence of law, the want of protection and
security OF person and property be removed and can
those greater ones which threaten our very political
| existence be avertedS These the questions 1t
10 true have not control of all the remedies Even
If these questions could be satisfactorily answered,
fortunes and destiny not entirely In our own
hands.
Yet there are some things which we may, and can.
| and ought, in my judgment, to do, from which no
| harm can come and from which some good may
follow in bet erng our present condui0n as States
and communitieS, as well individuals. When
they have done the best they can, ia view of sur
rounding circumstances, with all the lights they
| have before them, let results be what they may,
they can at least enjoy the conso Rton-the no small
| recompense-that they have performed their duty,
| and have a conscience void OF onense before
God and man. This, If no more valuable result will
| trust, attend the doing OF what l propose. The
hrst great DUTY then would enotn at this time, Is
the exercise OF the simple though difacult and try:
ina, but nevertheless indispensable quality OF
patience fauenee requires OF those enected TO bear