The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-07-14
STEPHENS.

Another Opinion.
The following letter from Alexander II. Stephens
to a resident OF the State OF New York. one who was
a War Democrat, is published
LIBERTY HALL, CRAwFORDSvILLE, Ga, June 10,
1S69-My Dear Sr:-Your kind and highly-appre
ciated favor Of the 10th instant was received few
days ago, but have not been able to acknowledge
it sooner. / am in bad condition physically. l can
barely sit up. | neither walk nor stand without
more than four months. This is the result of in-
juries in the hip from the falling of gate upon me
early in February last
the newspaper articles enclosed In your letter.
Though take no active part in politics now, nor
expect to again, even If life and health should
permit, yet no one living perhaps watches more
CLOSELY and views with more proround interest thar
/ do the general course Of public affairs.
What is said in that article is all correct as far as
1t goes. But, my dear sir, allow me to say that tC
does not go to the bottom OF the question involved.
1t does not probe the ulcer TO the core.
For my general views upon all these matters
must refer you to a letter l addressed to the Nd-
published in that paper OF the ninth. 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 usur
patons you speak Of is the departure OF the Govern
ment 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, constitutional liberty and monarchy
There is no middle ground; no halfway house be-
tween them. The people must choose between them,
and take one or the other side OF this question. The
one carries with it State sovereignty and constt-
datOn and despotsm. There is no hope for this
country but in thorough reputation OF the whole
principles upon which the late war was inaugurated
and waged against the Southern States. The very
idea Of maintaining Union of States by force is per-
4 fectly paradOXica and absurd. These my views
briefly and frankly as well as earnestly given /
know and feel perfectly assured that IN their sound
ness and correctness lies the only hope of consttu-
tiOnal liberty on this continent Whether the people
will be able or disposed to understand the TRUTH and
appreciate it in time 10 secure themselves from I'M
! pending ruin or not, do not know ! am exceed
ingly apprehensVe that they Will not, but that they
win go on in their deluson about saving the Union
and putting down the Rebellion until their doom is
sealed!
| For your letter l sincerely thank you. From the
patriotic sentiments perVauing the article 1t en-
| closed, ! know you appreciate the dangers. AS
Paul said to Agrippa say to you, "Beevest thou
the prophets know thai thou belieyest" | know
that thou belevest in the teachings Of the fathers or
our republic! Then be it known TO you that our
only hope Is In their teachings! The Union Is the
foundation of our safety. What sort of union?
The Union OF sovereign States-whch cannot be
maintained 10y force, but by voluntary consent Sc
cured by justice. Yours truly,
ALEXANDER H. STEPHENS.