The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-06-11
DRIFTING TO AN EMPIRE.
The Tendency OF the Times-A Remark
able Letter from the Hon. Alexander
II. stephens.

The Hon. A. 81. Stephens has written a long
and elaborate letter to. the National Inteili-
gencer, giving his views as to the prime cause
of the war between the North and the South,
and closing with some speculations as to our
political future. We copy the concluding para
graphs of the letter: g@ 2srs
And now, Messrs Editors, do you ask Ctti
bono ? Why 30 much written upon the dead
issues OF the past, whtn questions OF 80 much
magnitude Of q practical character press upon
the public mindp II 80, the reply is two fold.
First, to vindicate the truth OF history, which
is itself high duty on the part of any one who
has 1t in his power to do IL; and, IN the second
place, to show The people OF these States, IN
this yndication, not only the true cause, the
real scausd cdusans" Of the late war, but the
real cause Of their present troubles. The
Federal machinery for the last ten years
has been abnormal in ITS action. 1t must be
brought back to the Jefersonian doctrines, and
made to conform in it's workings with the Or
ganic principles OF its structure. before there
can possibly be return OF the days OF peace,
harmony, prosperity and happiness which for
hope for constitutional liberty on this CONT.
nent. Judge Nicholas may "dream dreams"
about another constitutional amendment, pro-
viding new mode OF electing the P0sident,
but the remedy lies in no such device de that.
1t lies simply in bringing back the government
in its administration to original first principles.
This is to be done not by secession, however
nghtful and efficient remedy that might be.
That is abandoned. Nor is it to be done by
force or violence of any kind, except the force
Of reason aud the power of truth. 1t ID to be
done, If at all, at the ballot-box. Free inshtu-
tiops are moro generally lost than estab-
lished, or strengthened by resort to ply
sical force. They are eI0inently the achieve.
ment Of virtue, patriotism and reason:
That our institutions, and even nominal
form of government is now 10 great danger,
the prudent sagacious, and wise everywhere
virtually admit. An able editorial in your own
paper, not long since, put the pertinent and
grave question, "Whither are we drifting 2"
To this question I take the occasion for one to
give you direct and positive answer. We ara
drifting to consolidation and empire, and will
land there at no distant pc iod as certainly as
the sun will set this day, unless the people OF
alton OF the danger, and save themselves from
the impending catastrophe by arresting the
present tendency of public affairs. This they
can properly do only at the ballot-box All
friends Of constitutional liberty, in every sec
tion OF the State, must unite in this Grand
effort. They must seriously consider, and even
reconsider many questions to which they have
given but slight attention here ofore. They
must acauaint themselves with the principles
of their government and provide security for
lhe future by studying and correcting the
errors OF the past.
This is tho only hope, as have stated, for
the continuance OF even our present nominal
form of government. Depend upon it, there is
no difference between consolidation and en-
pire No difference between centralism and
imperialism The end OF either. as well as all
of these, is the overthrow of liberty and the es-
tablishment of despotism. 1 give you the
words OF truth in great arnestpess-words
which, however received or needed now, will
be rendered eternally true by the Developments
OF the future.
Yours, most respectfully, =
ALEXANDER 81. STEPHENS.