Year: 1864

Resolutions OF Hon. Linton Stephens Relative


to a Convention of the States.


The General Assem6ly::ef the State Of Georgia do
Resoloe That the independence of the Southern
Confederate States of America, based upon the con.
stitutional compact between the sovereign States,
composing the Confederacy and maintained through
nearly four years Of gigantic war; Justly claims from
the world its recognition as rightful fact.


hcsotred, That all the States which composed the
late American Union, as we'll as those embraced
within the present United States, as those embrac.
ed within the Southern Confederacy, are what the
original thirteen States declared to be by our
fath4s Of 1776, and acknowledged to be by George
the third of England, independent and sovereign,
not as one political community, but States each
one Of them constituting such a people" as have
the :nalienable right to terminate any government
of their former choice, by Withdrawing from it their
consent just as the original thirteen through their
common agent, acting for and in the name Of each
one of them, by the withdrawal of their consent put
rightful termination to the British government
winch had been established over them with their
consent.


Resol0ed, That the sovereignty Of the individual
States the only basis of pe maneat peace on the
American continent, and WILL if the voice of passion
and war can once be hushed and reason allowed to
resume her sway, lead to an easy and lasting solu-
ton Of all the matters of controversy involved in
the present lamentable war, by simply leaving all
the States free to form their political ASSOCIATIONS
with one another, not by force of arms, which ex-
cudes the idea of consent" but by rational con.
sderaticn of their respective interests growing out
of their natural situations


Resotred, That as the very point of controversy
in the present war; is the settlement of the political
association of the States no treaty Of peace can be
perfected consistently with the sovereignty of the
individual States bout State action on the part
OF at least thes States whose preferences may just
To- hou ~Aal la- 49,
expressed through the appropriate organs and
therefore opposition to all State co operation in
perfectng a.peace cannot be consistent with desire
for its establishment basis of the sovereignty
of the States.


Rssolced, That we hail with qualification the Just
and sound sentiment coming from large and grow


ing party in the North that all associations of these
American States mustbe voluntary, and not forcible
and we give hearty response to their proposition
70 suspend the conflict OF arms and hold Conven
tion Of States to inaugurate plan for permanent
peace.
Resotuea, That the appropriate action of such q
Convention would be not to form any agreement or
compact between States, but only to frame and pro
pose plan of peace and the assembling of such a
Convention, for such purpose, would be relieved
from all possible constitutional objection by the con.
sent of the two governments and with such consent,
the proposed convention would but act as commits.
soners for the negotiation of peace subject to the
ratification Of both governments, and in all points
Involving the sovereignty or integrity of the States
subject also to the ratification of the particular States
whose sovereignty might be so involved.


Resotued, That we respectfully, but most earnest
ly urge upon our own government the propriety
and wisdom, of not only expressing a desire for
peace, through Presidential messages and Congress.
slonal manfestoes, bat of making on all suitable oc-
casions, and especially just after signal successes Of
our arms, Official open and unequivocal offers to
treat for peace through the medium of Convention
OF States, leaving our adversary to accep: our cers
or by rejecting them to prove to his people tba,
he is wagng this unnatural war, not for peace, nor


the good of his country but for purposes Of the most
unholy and dangerous ambition.


On motion, two hundred copies were ordered to
be printed.