The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1873-01-07
IN Old TIME STATEaMAN.
AIe1ander'a. stephens on tho Political
Sttuation.


Hon. Alexander q. Stephens made speech
In Atlanta, Georgia, flow days ago, which ia Of
interest because of Mr.. stephens's position as
an anti-liberal Democrat. After defending
himself against the charge Of being an imprac-
ticable and revolutionist, by asserting that he
has never believed in violence but has
always advocated obedience to the laws, he
said: 'o'.-a , va =. h!,is'' 80
Notwithstanding the result Of the late
election, Notwithstanding the result Of the
Alabama middle, and notwithstanding the
present Louisiana troubles, the eigns Of the
times bear less ominous aspect TO my mind
than they have for the last fifteen years., The
Alabama difficulty did. indeed; for awhile pre-,
sent the most alarming aspect. 1t was the
first time since the Rhode Island troubles, In
1S1-42, that civil war, proper. in any one OF
the States OF this Union was certain. Two an
taeonlstic parties claimed each for itself the
rightful absolute power. The Alabama case
was more alarming than that Of Rhode: Island.
In this case the federal government had no
riehtful power to interfere, and in my judg,
ment did not interfere except 30 far a. TO offer,
by way OF suggestion, h basis on which q COM
promise might be effected. This was happily
accepted by both parties. This very alarming
trouble has been peacefully adjusted. In this
q friendly mediator. just as Virgins rendered
her similar kind act in the notification I'M
broglto In, 1888 whiGt Eosutted- Inost -hsprllH.
IN the preser gation Of The peace or rue cuuns
try. The othe: more portentous+ cloud that
hangs over the south Yestern horizon In the
Louisisna trouble is still dark and threatening.
80 This morning, for the first time, i
have seen what am inclined to consider a re.
liable account of the exact and true posture OF
affairs in Louisiana. This Ia the report BY the
Associated Press Of m interview which .cas
place Yesterday between Judge Camptalt at
the head OF Iouisians delegation, and Preal-
dent Grant upon the subject. From
sumed any illegal or Unconstitutional executive
power In the Internal affairs Of Louisans. BE
asserts he has authorized the employment OF
the military forces there In the enforcement
OF judicial process. This has greatly rohsved
nv mind. The trouble tn Loulsana seems TO
have grown out of powers claimed undar the
civil rights bill, or some other one OF the recon-
struction measures, 20 called These meas
ures, I need not assure SSo, bold aud ever
shall hold to be utterly unconstitutional But
in accordance with the views have given you,
40 long as they are held to be laws they should
be obeyed as they ara expounded BY thoee
clothed with judicial powers over; them. No
violent resistance should be made to them.
They should be assalled only through the
peaceful lnstrumentalities OF the constitution.
No earthly power could ever make me say
that they are either right, just or constitution
al. Loud applause.] MY mode OF assailing
them, however, is not by violence or forcible
resistance, but by appeals, drst, to the courts
Just where the appeal. it seems, IN this case,
has been made. My mode OF assalnng IN
the forum Of reason and justice, andf General
Grant shall never do anything worse than to
see to It that the mandates and DEGREES OF the
federal judiciary are properly executed in any
part Of the country, shall have no quarrel
with him.
"If the Judge in New Orleans t,as made an
erroneous decision, it La subject to reversal 6y
the Supreme Court OF the United states; In
the meantime, my advice to the people. OF
Louisiana would be, to patiently bear the ills
incident to that decision, just as We In Georgia
have borne ills Of much more grievous
nature, until their redemption, as ours has
been, shall be effected by the peaceful Workings
of the established instruInental1Ies OF the con-
stitutiou. First let the issue be met IN the
should be against them in both; then let them
appeal to the ballot-box, not only IN Louisiana.
but .hroughout all the States.
Where Is q general awakening ir the public
mind throughout the entire county as to the
nature and character Of the government, tm
origin, objects, history and powers. NOW that
the peculiar Southern lnstItutionB have been 10.
moved, which were the thorn IN the nesn OF
the federal body pohtic all the time, and gave
q sectional character to all discussions ofques-
tions pertaining to tho reserved rights OF the
States under the constitution; now that ths
doctrine of secession, as practicable remedy
against federal aggressions Of any sort has
been abandoned IN good faith forever, there 10
nothing to prevent tho friends or the constltu-
tion under the Union, nom Maine to California,
from the lakes to the gulf, from harmoniously
nnitine in grand rally for the rescue and per.
pstuation of the common liberties " all
Fossil though may be considered OF tos paa!s, y!
little as may be thought 10 knew OF what ls
going on in thegreat cenhes-I have not as
Vet Yet lost confidence in the intelligence, virtue
and patriotism OF the toiing rnillions-thee
honest hon masses-of the people in all parts OF
this vast country. There are hearts ready IN
Georgia and Louisiana, as in California, New
Hampshire and Maine,- to respond to the
music OF the Union under the fedGrai constitn-
tiou Of our fathers" ileifs 4s;.-.,-