Year: 1867

|


present Christian churches prevailed


in all the Southern States, but had no


existence in any OF the Northern


States undersuch circumstances sup


pose the people Of the Northern States


should organize political party, not


upon foreign or domestic policy, but


with one leading idea of condemnation


Of tho doctrines and tenets of that


particular church, and with the avow-


ed object of preventing its extension


into the common territories, even after


the highest judicial tribunal of the


land had decided they had no such


constitutional power And suppose


that party so organized should carry


presidential election Is it not APP


parent that Il general feeling of resist


ance TO the success, aims and objects
of such party would necessarily and
rightfully ensue2 Would it not be
the inevitable consequence And the


more so, if possible, from the admitted
fact that it was a matter beyond their
control, and one that they ought not,
in the spirit of comfy between co
States, to attempt to meddle with. ]
submit these thoughts to you for your
calm reflection. We at the South do
think African slvaery, as it exists with
us, both morally and politically right.
This opinion is founded upon the in
fariotiftr of fka hla al -a.a w., l. 90,
ever, and perhaps a majority of the
North. think it wrong. Admit the
difference of opinion. The same diff
ference of opinion existed to a more
general extent among those who
formed the Constitution, when it was
made and adopted. The changes have
been mainly on our side. As parties
were not formed on this difference of
opinion then, why should they be
now? The same difference would Of
course exist in the supposed case of
religion. When parties or combina-
tions of men, therefore, so form them
selves, must it not be assumed to arise
not from reason or any sense ofjustice,
but from fanaticism 7 The motive can
spring from no other source, and when
men come under the influence of fi-
naticism, there is no telling where
their impulses or passions may lead
them. This is what creates our dis
content and apprehension. You will
also allow me TO say, that it is neither
unnatural or unreasonable, especially
when we see to what extent this reclS-
less spirit has already gone. Such, for
instance, as the avowed disregard and
breach of the Constitution in the pass
age of the statutes in a number OF the
Northern States against the rendition
of fugitives from service, and such ex-
hibitions ofmadness as the John Brown
raid into Virginia, which has received
so much sympathy from many, and no
open condemnation from any of the
leading men of the present dominant
party. For very clear statement of
the prevailing sentiment of the most
moderate men ofthe South upon them,
| refer you to the speech of Senator
Nicholson, of Tennessee, which / en-
close to you. Upon review of the
whole, who can say that the general
discomfort and apprehension is not
well foundedg


In addressing you thus, | would not
have you understand me as being a
personal enemy, but as one who would
have you do what you can to save our
common country. A word "ftly |
spoken" by you now would indeed be
"like apples of gold in pictures of sill
vcr" entreat you, be not deceived
as to the nature and extent Of the
danger, or as to the remedy. Concil-
iation and harmony, in my Judgment,
can never be established by force. Nor
can the Union, under the Constitution,
be maintained by force. The Union
was formed by the consent of nde-
pendent sovereign States. Ultimate
sovereignty still resides with them
which can be resumed, and
will be ii their safety, tranquility and
security, in their judgment, require it.
Under our system, as | view it, there
S no lawful power in the General Gov
srnment to eoerce State in case any
If them should throw herself upon her
'eserved rights, and resume the full
exercise of her sovereign powers.
Force may peTpetuate Union. That
depends upon the contingencies of
var. But such a Union would not be
he Union of the Constitution. 1t
would be nothing short of a consoli-
lated despotism.


Excuse me for giving you these
'icws. Excuse the strong language
Ised. Nothing but the deep interest


feel in prospect of the most alarming
hangers now threatening our common
could induce me TO do IT,
consider well what | write, and let il
lave such weight with you as, in your
Judgment, under all the responsibility
csting upon you, it merits.


Yours, respectfully,


ALEXANDER III. STEPHENS.


Hon. A. Lincoln, Springfield, Ill.


A good i-o-a-k cama IN lipht the 9th