The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-07-15
Another letter from Alexander HI.
StcDhens.

The following letter from Alexander II.
stephens to War Democrat, is published ::
LIBERTY HALL, CRAwFoRDsvILLE, GA.,(
June ID, 1869.
NV Dear Sir,-Your kind and highly ap-
preciatcd favor of the 10th instant was re-
ceivcda few days ago, but [ have not been
able TO acknowledge it sooner. l am i'll bad
condition physically. l can barely sit up. /
can neither walk nor stand without aid OF
some sort. | have been almost helpless for
more than four months. This is thc result
of injuries in the hip from the falling OF Il
gate upon me early i'll February last.
| need not assure you that | read Win
dcepintcrcSt the newspaper articles enclosed
in your letter. Though take no active part
in politics now, nor ever expect to again,
even if life and health should permit, yet no
one living, perhaps, watches more closely
and views with more profound interest than
| do the general course of public affairs.
What is said in that article is all correct as
far aS it goes. But. my dear sir, allow me to
say that it does not 90 to the bottom of the
question involved. 1t does not probe the
ulcer to the core.
For my general views upon all these mat
tcrS must refer YOU to Il letter | addressed
to the National mtelIigencer of the 4th of
this month, and published in that paper on
the 9th. There can be no cure OF the disease
until its real cause is not only understood
but removed. The cause of all these late
troubles in our land, and of all those gross
usurpations you speak of, is the departure
of the Government from the primary laws
of its existence. The only practical living
issue before the people of this country now
is one between federal republicanism and
imperialism liberty and
monarchy. There is no middle ground: no
L. l,ntx. hny hn
pie must choose between them, and
take one or the other side of this ques-
ton. The one carries with it State
sovereignty and constitutional liberty;
the other carries with it consolidation
and despotism. There is no hope for hts
country 6ut IN thorough reputation OF
the trhole principles upon tchtch the late trdr
7rds in0ugurated and acdged against the
southern States. The very idea OF maln-
tanning Il union of States by force is per-
fectlv paradoxical and absurd. These are
myviews briefly and frankly as well as earn
cstly eiycn. | know and feel perfectly as
surcd that in their soundness and correct
ness lies the only hope of constitutional
liberty on this continent. Whether the
'people will be able ~ag disposed to under
stand the truth. and appreciate 1t III time TO
secure themselves from impending rum OF
not. I do not know. | am exceedingly ap-
prehensive that they viii not, but that tney
will 20 on in their delusion about saving
the Union and putting down the rebeilioh
until their doom is sealed
For your letter sincerely thank you.
From the patriotic sentiments perVaalnS
the article it enclosed L know you apple-
ciate the dangers. AS Paul said to ASrippa,
SO saw to YOU "Belieyest thou the pro-
nbcts: | know that thou belieyest." know
hat you believe in the teachings of the
fathers % of our republic! Then be it known
~ Won that our only hope is in their teach
incs! in = The Union is the foundation of our
laietv What sort of union? The union
of sovereign states, which cannot be main. main:
ta;ned T., bv force, but by voluntary consent
secured by justice. Yours truly,
''>''O' - ALEXANDER II. STEPHENS.