Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-04-18
TELEGRAPHIC
Yesterday afternoons Report
STEPHENS.
Testimony OF the Rebel Vice
President CONTINUED.
Els Reasons for the Rebellion.
THE T ExAs CONVENTION
1t AbOllSheS Slavery and Refuses
TO Endorse my Policy"
The Niagara Ship Canal in the New
York Legislature.
FROM MEXICO.
Whereabouts of Juarez and COrtinas.
BISHOP SoULE DYING.
Fenianism In British Columbia.
FROM M EXIco.
Whereabouts of Juarez and COrtina
BISHOP soULE DYING.
Fenianism In British Columbia.
Washington News.
Examination ofAIexander HStephens
Continued.

Examination OfAIexanderH Stephens
Continued.
Q.-State whether from your observation
the evils of the war nave produced any
change in the public mind of the South on
the question of the reserved rights of the
States, under the Constitution of the United
States?
A-That question l answered in part yes
terday. While / cannU state from personal
knowledge to what extent the opinion of the
Southern States, upon the abstract question
of reserved rights of the States may rave
changed, my decided opinion is that a very
thorough change has taken place upon the
practical policy of resorting TO any such
right.
Q.-What events or experience of the
war hsve contributed TO this change?
A.-First the people are satisfied that a
resort to the exercise of h right, while it is
denied by the Federal Government, will
lead to war, which many thought before the
late attempted secession would not be the
case in civil wars, They are also now very
well satisfied they are dangerous to liberty,
and, moreover, their experience in the late
war, l think, has satisfied them that It
greatly endangered their OWE. allude es-
pecially to the suspension of the writ eff
habeas corpus, and the military conscrip-
ton, the p-roclamations of martial law in
various places, general impressment, and
the levying of forced contributions, as well
as the demoralizing effects of war generally.
Q.-When were you last a member of the
Congress Of the United States?
Al went on the 4th of March, 1859.
Q.-Will you state, if not indisposed todo
| so, the consideration or opinions which led
you to identify yourself with the rebellion
so far as to accept the office of Vice Presi-
dent of the Confederate States of America,
so called
Al believed thoroughly in the reserved
sovereignty of the several States of the
Union under the compact of Union, or
the Constitution of 1877. l opposed seces-
sion, therefore, as a question of policy and
not one of right, on the part Of Georgia
When the State seeded against my judg-
ment and vote, l thought my ultimate allie
glance was due to her, and l preferred to
cast my fortunes and destiny with her and
people rather than to take any other course,
even though it might lead TO my self-sscri-
fee n her ruin. In accepting g position
under the new order of things, my sole OBJ
ject was to do all I could in preserving and
perPetuating the principles of liberty as es-
tablished under the Constitution Of the
United States. If the Union was to be aban-
doned, either with or without force, which
l thought a very impolitie measure, I wish
ed If possible TO rescue, preserve and per-
petuate the principles of the Constitution.
This, l was not without hope, might be done
in the new cOnfederacy of States formed.
When the conflict arose, my efforts were d.
rected to a speedy and peaceful adjustment
of the questions. This adj ustment l always
thought, to be lasting, would ultimately
have to be settled upon a central basis,
founded upon the principles of mutual con
venience and reciprocal advantage on
the part of the States in which the Consti-
tuition of the United States was formed. l
was welded to no particular plan of adjust
ment, except the recognition as a basis of
the separate sovereignty of the several
States with this recognized principal. /
thought all other questions Of difference
ought to adjust themselves according to the
best Interests, the peace, welfare and pros
perity of the whole country; this doctrine
of the sovereignty of the several States as a
selt-adj usting regulating principle of our
American system of State Government ex-
tending possibly over the continent
Q.-Have your sentiments undergone any
change since the opening Of the rebellion
in reference to the reserved rights of States
under the Constitution of the United States ?
Any convictions on the original alb
stract question lave undergone no change, !
but accept the issue of the war and the
result as a practical settlement of the ques
ton. The sword was appealed to to decide
the question, and by the decision of the
sword / am willing to abide.