Mr. Mayor, and Gentlemen of the Committee, and Fellow-Citizens:—For
this reception you will please accept my most profound and sincere thanks. The
compliment is doubtless intended as much, or more, perhaps, in honor of the
occasion, and my public position, in connection with the great events now
crowding upon us, than to me personally and individually. It is however none
the less appreciated by me on that account. We are in the midst of one of the
greatest epochs in our history. The last ninety days will mark one of the most
memorable eras in the history of modern civilization.
[There was a general call from the outside of the building
for the speaker to go out, that there were more outside than in.]
The Mayor rose and requested silence at the doors, that Mr.
Stephens' health would not permit him to speak in the open air.
Mr. STEPHENS said he would leave it to the audience whether
he should proceed indoors or out. There was a general cry indoors, as the
ladies, a large number of whom were present, could not hear outside.
Mr. STEPHENS said that the accommodation of the ladies would
determine the question, and he would proceed where he was.
[At this point the uproar and clamor outside was greater
still for the speaker to go out on the steps. This was quicted by Col. Lawton,
Col. Freeman, Judge Jackson, and Mr. J. W. Owens going out and stating the
facts of the case to the dense mass of men, women, and children who were
outside, and entertaining them in brief speeches--Mr. Stephens all this while
quietly sitting down until the furor subsided.]
Mr. STEPHENS rose and said : When perfect quiet is restored,
I shall proceed. I cannot speak so long as there is any noise or confusion. I
shall take my time—I feel quite prepared to spend the night with you if
necessary. [Loud applause.] I very much regret that every one who desires
cannot hear what I have to say. Not that I have any display to make, or any
thing very entertaining to present, but such views as I have to give, I wish all,
not only in this city, but in this State, and throughout our Confederate
Republic, could hear, who have a desire to hear them.
I was remarking, that we are passing through one of the
greatest revolutions in the annals of the world. Seven States have within the
last three months thrown off an old government and formed a new. This
revolution has been signally marked, up to this time, by the fact of its having
been accomplished without the loss of a single drop of blood. [Applause.]
This new constitution, or form of government, constitutes
the subject to which your attention will be partly invited. In reference to it,
I make this first general remark. It amply secures all our ancient rights,
franchises, and liberties. All the great principles of Magna Charta are
retained in it. No citizen is deprived of life, liberty, or property, but by
the judgment of his peers under the laws of the land. The great principle of
religious liberty, which was the honor and pride of the old constitution, is
still maintained and secured. All the essentials of the old constitution, which
have endeared it to the hearts of the American people, have been preserved and
perpetuated. [Applause.] Some changes have been made. Of these I shall speak
presently. Some of these I should have preferred not to have seen made; but
these, perhaps, meet the cordial approbation of a majority of this audience, if
not an overwhelming majority of the people of the Confederacy. Of them,
therefore, I will not speak. But other important changes do meet my cordial
approbation. They form great improvements upon the old constitution. So, taking
the whole new constitution, I have no hesitancy in giving it as my judgment
that it is decidedly better than the old. [Applause.]
Allow me briefly to allude to some of these improvements.
The question of building up class interests, or fostering one branch of
industry to the prejudice of another under the exercise of the revenue power, which
gave us so much trouble under the old constitution, is put at rest forever
under the new. We allow the imposition of no duty with a view of giving
advantage to one class of persons, in any trade or business, over those of
another. All, under our system, stand upon the same broad principles of perfect
equality. Honest labor and enterprise are left free and unrestricted in
whatever pursuit they may be engaged. This subject came well nigh causing a
rupture of the old Union, under the lead of the gallant Palmetto State, which
lies on our border, in 1833. This old thorn of the tariff, which was the cause
of so much irritation in the old body politic, is removed forever from the new.
[Applause.]
Again, the subject of internal improvements, under the power
of Congress to regulate commerce, is put at rest under our system. The power
claimed by construction under the old constitution, was at least a doubtful
one-it rested solely upon construction. We of the South, generally apart from
considerations of constitutional principles, opposed its exercise upon grounds
of its inexpediency and injustice. Notwithstanding this opposition, millions of
money, from the common treasury had been drawn for such purposes. Our
opposition sprang from no hostility to commerce, or all necessary aids for
facilitating it. With us it was simply a question, upon whom the burden
should fall. In Georgia, for instance, we have done as much for the cause of
internal improvements as any other portion of the country according to
population and means. We have stretched out lines of railroads from the
seaboard to the mountains; dug down the hills, and filled up the valleys at a
cost of not less than twenty-five millions of dollars. All this was done to
open an outlet for our products of the interior, and those to the west of us,
to reach the marts of the world. No State was in greater need of such
facilities than Georgia, but we did not ask that these works should be made by
appropriations out of the common treasury. The cost of the grading, the superstructure,
and equipments of our roads, was borne by those who entered on the enterprise.
Nay, more-not only the cost of the iron, no small item in the aggregate cost,
was borne in the same way—but we were compelled to pay into the common treasury
several millions of dollars for the privilege of importing the iron, after the
price was paid for it abroad. What justice was there in taking this money,
which our people paid into the common treasury on the importation of our iron,
and applying it to the improvement of rivers and harbors elsewhere?
The true principle is to subject the commerce of every
locality, to whatever burdens may be necessary to facilitate it. If Charleston
harbor needs improvement, let the commerce of Charleston bear the burden. If
the mouth of the Savannah river has to be cleared out, let the sea-going
navigation which is benefitted by it, bear the burden. So with the mouths of
the Alabama and Mississippi river. Just as the products of the interior, our
cotton, wheat, corn, and other articles, have to bear the necessary rates of
freight over our railroads to reach the seas. This is again the broad principle
of perfect equality and justice. [Applause.] And it is especially set forth and
established in our new constitution.
Another feature to which I will allude, is that the new
constitution provides that cabinet ministers and heads of departments may have
the privilege of seats upon the floor of the Senate and House of
Representatives—may have the right to participate in the debates and
discussions upon the various subjects of administration. I should have
preferred that this provision should have gone further, and required the
President to select his constitutional advisers from the Senate and House of
Representatives. That would have conformed entirely to the practice in the
British Parliament, which, in my judgment, is one of the wisest provisions in
the British constitution. It is the only feature that saves that government. It
is that which gives it stability in its facility to change its administration.
Ours, as it is, is a great approximation to the right principle.
Under the old constitution, a secretary of the treasury for
instance, had no opportunity, save by his annual reports, of presenting any
scheme or plan of finance or other matter. He had no opportunity of explaining,
expounding, inforcing, or defending his views of policy; his only resort was
through the medium of an organ. In the British parliament, the premier brings
in his budget and stands before the nation responsible for its every item. If
it is indefensible, he falls before the attacks upon it, as he ought to. This
will now be the case to a limited extent under our system. In the new
constitution, provision has been made by which our heads of departments can
speak for themselves and the administration, in behalf of its entire policy,
without resorting to the indirect and highly objectionable medium of a
newspaper. It is to be greatly hoped that under our system we shall never have
what is known as a government organ. [Rapturous applause.]
[A noise again arose from the clamor of the crowd outside,
who wished to hear Mr. Stephens, and for some moments interrupted him. The
mayor rose and called on the police to preserve order. Quiet being restored,
Mr. S. proceeded.]
Another change in the constitution relates to the length of
the tenure of the presidential office. In the new constitution it is six years
instead of four, and the President rendered ineligible for a re-election. This
is certainly a decidedly conservative change. It will remove from the incumbent
all temptation to use his office or exert the powers confided to him for any objects
of personal ambition. The only incentive to that higher ambition which should
move and actuate one holding such high trusts in his hands, will be the good of
the people, the advancement, prosperity, happiness, safety, honor, and true
glory of the confederacy. [Applause.).
But not to be tedious in enumerating the numerous changes
for the better, allow me to allude to one other—though last, not least. The new
constitution has put at rest, forever, all the agitating questions
relating to our peculiar institution-African slavery as it exists amongst us—the
proper status of the negro in our form of civilization. This was the
immediate cause of the late rupture and present revolution. Jefferson in his
forecast, had anticipated this, as the “rock upon which the old Union would
split." He was right. What was conjecture with him, is now a realized
fact. But whether he fully comprehended the great truth upon which that rock stood
and stands, may be doubted. The prevailing ideas entertained by him
and most of the leading statesmen at the time of the formation of the old
constitution, were that the enslavement of the African was in violation of the
laws of nature; that it was wrong in principle, socially, morally, and
politically. It was an evil they knew not well how to deal with, but the
general opinion of the men of that day was that, somehow or other in the order
of Providence, the institution would be evanescent and pass away. This idea,
though not incorporated in the constitution, was the prevailing idea at that
time. The constitution, it is true, secured every essential guarantee to the
institution while it should last, and hence no argument can be justly urged
against the constitutional guarantees thus secured, because of the common
sentiment of the day. Those ideas, however, were fundamentally wrong. They
rested upon the assumption of the equality of races. This was an error. It was
a sandy foundation, and the government built upon it fell when the “storm came
and the wind blew.”
Our new government is founded upon exactly the opposite idea;
its foundations are laid, its corner-stone rests upon the great truth, that the
negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery-subordination to the superior
race-is his natural and normal condition. [Applause.]
This, our new government, is the first, in the history of
the world, based upon this great physical, philosophical, and moral truth. This
truth has been slow in the process of its development, like all other truths in
the various departments of science. It has been so even amongst us. Many who
hear me, perhaps, can recollect well, that this truth was not generally
admitted, even within their day. The errors of the past generation still clung
to many as late as twenty years ago. Those at the North, who still cling to
these errors, with a zeal above knowledge, we justly denominate fanatics. All
fanaticism springs from an aberration of the mind—from a defect in reasoning.
It is a species of insanity. One of the most striking characteristics of
insanity, in many instances, is forming correct conclusions from fancied or
erroneous premises; so with the anti-slavery fanatics; their conclusions are
right if their premises were. They assume that the negro is equal, and hence
conclude that he is entitled to equal privileges and rights with the white man.
If their premises were correct, their conclusions would be logical and just-but
their premise being wrong, their whole argument fails. I recollect once of
having heard a gentleman from one of the northern States, of great power and
ability, announce in the House of Representatives, with imposing effect, that
we of the South would be compelled, ultimately, to yield upon this subject of
slavery, that it was as impossible to war successfully against a principle in
politics, as it was in physics or mechanics. That the principle would
ultimately prevail. That we, in maintaining slavery as it exists with us, were
warring against a principle, a principle founded in nature, the principle of
the equality of men. The reply I made to him was, that upon his own grounds, we
should, ultimately, succeed, and that he and his associates, in this crusade
against our institutions, would ultimately fail. The truth announced, that it
was as impossible to war successfuly against a principle in politics as it was
in physics and mechanics, I admitted ; but told him that it was he, and those
acting with him, who were warring against a principle. They were attempting to
make things equal which the Creator had made unequal.
In the conflict thus far, success has been on our side,
complete throughout the length and breadth of the Confederate States. It is
upon this, as I have stated, our social fabric is firmly planted; and I cannot
permit myself to doubt the ultimate success of a full recognition of this
principle throughout the civilized and enlightened world.
As I have stated, the truth of this principle may be slow in
development, as all truths are and ever have been, in the various branches of
science. It was so with the principles announced by Galileo—it was so with Adam
Smith and his principles of political economy. It was so with Harvey, and his
theory of the circulation of the blood. It is stated that not a single one of
the medical profession, living at the time of the announcement of the truths
made by him, admitted them. Now, they are universally acknowledged. May we not,
therefore, look with confidence to the ultimate universal acknowledgment of the
truths upon which our system rests? It is the first government ever instituted
upon the principles in strict conformity to nature, and the ordination of
Providence, in furnishing the materials of human society. Many governments have
been founded upon the principle of the subordination and serfdom of certain
classes of the same race; such were and are in violation of the laws of nature.
Our system commits no such violation of nature's laws. With us, all of the
white race, however high or low, rich or poor, are equal in the eye of the law.
Not so with the negro. Subordination is his place. He, by nature, or by the
curse against Canaan, is fitted for that condition which he occupies in our
system. The architect in the construction of buildings, lays the foundation
with the proper material—the granite; then comes the brick or the marble. The
substratum of our society is made of the material fitted by nature for it, and
by experience we know, that it is best, not only for the superior, but for the
inferior race, that it should be so. It is, indeed, in conformity with the
ordinance of the Creator. It is not for us to inquire into the wisdom of his
ordinances, or to question them. For his own purposes, he has made one race to
differ from another, as he has made “one star to differ from another star in
glory.”
The great objects of humanity are best attained when there
is conformity to his laws and decrees, in the formation of governments as well
as in all things else. Our confederacy is founded upon principles in strict
conformity with these laws. This stone which was rejected by the first builders
“is become the chief of the corner”—the real “corner-stone”—in our new edifice.
[Applause.]
I have been asked, what of the future? It has been apprehended
by some that we would have arrayed against us the civilized world. I care not
who or how many they may be against us, when we stand upon the eternal
principles of truth, if we are true to ourselves and the principles for
which we contend, we are obliged to, and must triumph. [Immense applause.]
Thousands of people who begin to understand these truths are
not yet completely out of the shell; they do not see them in their length and
breadth. We hear much of the civilization and christianization of the barbarous
tribes of Africa. In my judgment, those ends will never be attained, but by
first teaching them the lesson taught to Adam, that “in the sweat of his brow
he should eat his bread,” [applause,] and teaching them to work, and feed, and
clothe themselves.
But to pass on: Some have propounded the inquiry whether it
is practicable for us to go on with the confederacy without further accessions?
Have we the means and ability to maintain nationality among the powers of the
earth ? On this point I would barely say, that as anxiously as we all have
been, and are, for the border States, with institutions similar to ours, to
join us, still we are abundantly able to maintain our position, even if they
should ultimately make up their minds not to cast their destiny with us. That
they ultimately will join us—be compelled to do it—is my confident belief; but
we can get on very well without them, even if they should not.
We have all the essential elements of a high national
career. The idea has been given out at the North, and even in the border
States, that we are too small and too weak to maintain a separate nationality.
This is a great mistake. In extent of territory we embrace five hundred and
sixty-four thousand square miles and upward. This is upward of two hundred
thousand square miles more than was included within the limits of the original
thirteen States. It is an area of country more than double the territory of
France or the Austrian empire. France, in round numbers, has but two hundred
and twelve thousand square miles. Austria, in round numbers, has two hundred and
forty-eight thousand square miles. Ours is greater than both combined. It is
greater than all France, Spain, Portugal, and Great Britain, including England,
Ireland, and Scotland, together. In population we have upward of five millions,
according to the census of 1860; this includes white and black. The entire
population, including white and black, of the original thirteen States, was
less than four millions in 1790, and still less in '76, when the independence
of our fathers was achieved. If they, with a less population, dared maintain
their independence against the greatest power on earth, shall we have any
apprehension of maintaining ours now?
In point of material wealth and resources, we are greatly in
advance of them. The taxable property of the Confederate States cannot be less
than thirty-two hundred millions of dollars! This, I think I venture but little
in saying, may be considered as five times more than the colonies possessed at
the time they achieved their independence. Georgia, alone, possessed last year,
according to the report of our comptroller-general, six hundred and seventy-two
millions of taxable property. The debts of the seven confederate States sum up
in the aggregate less than eighteen millions, while the existing debts of the
other of the late United States sum up in the aggregate the enormous amount of
one hundred and seventy-four millions of dollars. This is without taking into
the account the heavy city debts, corporation debts, and railroad debts, which
press, and will continue to press, as a heavy incubus upon the resources of
those States. These debts, added to others, make a sum total not much under
five hundred millions of dollars. With such an area of territory as we
have—with such an amount of population—with a climate and soil unsurpassed by
any on the face of the earth-with such resources already at our command—with
productions which control the commerce of the world—who can entertain any
apprehensions as to our ability to succeed, whether others join us or not?
It is true, I believe I state but the common sentiment, when
I declare my earnest desire that the border States should join us. The
differences of opinion that existed among us anterior to secession, related
more to the policy in securing that result by co-operation than from any
difference upon the ultimate security we all looked to in common.
These differences of opinion were more in reference to
policy than principle, and as Mr. Jefferson said in his inaugural, in 1801,
after the heated contest preceding his election, there might be differences of
opinion without differences on principle, and that all, to some extent, had
been federalists and all republicans; so it may now be said of us, that
whatever differences of opinion as to the best policy in having a co-operation
with our border sister slave States, if the worst came to the worst, that as we
were all co-operationists, we are now all for independence, whether they come
or not. [Continued applause.]
In this connection I take this occasion to state, that I was
not without grave and serious apprehensions, that if the worst came to the
worst, and cutting loose from the old government should be the only remedy for
our safety and security, it would be attended with much more serious ills than
it has been as yet. Thus far we have seen none of those incidents which usually
attend revolutions. No such material as such convulsions usually throw up has
been seen. Wisdom, prudence, and patriotism, have marked every step of our
progress thus far. This augurs well for the future, and it is a matter of
sincere gratification to me, that I am enabled to make the declaration. Of the
men I met in the Congress at Montgomery, I may be pardoned for saying this, an
abler, wiser, a more conservative, deliberate, determined, resolute, and
patriotic body of men, I never met in my life. [Great applause.] Their works
speak for them; the provisional government speaks for them; the constitution of
the permanent government will be a lasting monument of their worth, merit, and
statesmanship. [Applause.]
But to return to the question of the future. What is to be
the result of this revolution?
Will every thing, commenced so well, continue as it has
begun? In reply to this anxious inquiry, I can only say it all depends upon
ourselves. A young man starting out in life on his majority, with health,
talent, and ability, under a favoring Providence, may be said to be the
architect of his own fortunes. His destinies are in his own hands. He may make
for himself a name, of honor or dishonor, according to his own acts. If he
plants himself upon truth, integrity, honor and uprightness, with industry,
patience and energy, he cannot fail of success. So it is with us. We are a
young republic, just entering upon the arena of nations; we will be the
architects of our own fortunes. Our destiny, under Providence, is in our own
hands. With wisdom, prudence, and statesmanship on the part of our public men,
and intelligence, virtue and patriotism on the part of the people, success, to
the full measures of our most sanguine hopes, may be looked for. But if unwise
counsels prevail—if we become divided—if schisms arise—if dissensions spring up—if
factions are engendered if party spirit, nourished by unholy personal ambition
shall rear its hydra head, I have no good to prophesy for you. Without
intelligence, virtue, integrity, and patriotism on the part of the people, no
republic or representative government can be durable or stable. We have
intelligence, and virtue, and patriotism. All that is required is to cultivate
and perpetuate these. Intelligence will not do without virtue. France was a
nation of philosophers. These philosophers become Jacobins. They lacked that
virtue, that devotion to moral principle, and that patriotism which is essential
to good government. Organized upon principles of perfect justice and
right-seeking amity and friendship with all other powers—I see no obstacle in
the way of our upward and onward progress. Our growth, by accessions from other
States, will depend greatly upon whether we present to the world, as I trust we
shall, a better government than that to which neighboring States belong. If we
do this, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Arkansas cannot hesitate long; neither
can Virginia, Kentucky, and Missouri. They will necessarily gravitate to us by
an imperious law. We made ample provision in our constitution for the admission
of other States; it is more guarded, and wisely so, I think, than the old
constitution on the same subject, but not too guarded to receive them as fast
as it may be proper. Looking to the distant future, and, perhaps, not very far
distant either, it is not beyond the range of possibility, and even
probability, that all the great States of the north-west will gravitate this
way, as well as Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas, etc. Should they do
so, our doors are wide enough to receive them, but not until they are ready to
assimilate with us in principle.
The process of disintegration in the old Union may be
expected to go on with almost absolute certainty if we pursue the right course.
We are now the nucleus of a growing power which, if we are true to ourselves,
our destiny, and high mission, will become the controlling power on this
continent. To what extent accessions will go on in the process of time, or
where it will end, the future will determine. So far as it concerns States of
the old Union, this process will be upon no such principles of reconstruction
as now spoken of, but upon reorganization and new assimilation.
[Loud applause.] Such are some of the glimpses of the future as I catch them.
But at first we must necessarily meet with the
inconveniences and difficulties and embarrassments incident to all changes of
government. These will be felt in our postal affairs and changes in the channel
of trade. These inconveniences, it is to be hoped, will be but temporary, and
must be borne with patience and forbearance.
As to whether we shall have war with our late confederates,
or whether all matters of differences between us shall be amicably settled, I
can only say that the prospect for a peaceful adjustment is better, so far as I
am informed, than it has been.
The prospect of war is, at least, not so threatening as it
has been. The idea of coercion, shadowed forth in President Lincoln's inaugural,
seems not to be followed up thus far so vigorousiy as was expected. Fort
Sumter, it is believed, will soon be evacuated. What course will be pursued
toward Fort Pickens, and the other forts on the gulf, is not so well
understood. It is to be greatly desired that all of them should be surrendered.
Our object is peace, not only with the North, but with the world. All
matters relating to the public property, public liabilities of the Union when
we were members of it, we are ready and willing to adjust and settle upon the
principles of right, equity, and good faith. War can be of no more benefit to
the North than to us. Whether the intention of evacuating Fort Sumter is to be
received as an evidence of a desire for a peaceful solution of our difficulties
with the United States, or the result of necessity, I will not undertake to
say. I would fain hope the former. Rumors are afloat, however, that it is the
result of necessity. All I can say to you, therefore, on that point is, keep
your armor bright and your powder dry. [Enthusiastic cheering.]
The surest way to secure peace, is to show your ability to
maintain your rights. The principles and position of the present administration
of the United States the republican party—present some puzzling questions. While
it is a fixed principle with them never to allow the increase of a foot of
slave territory, they seem to be equally determined not to part with an inch
“of the accursed soil.” Notwithstanding their clamor against the institution,
they seemed to be equally opposed to getting more, or letting go what they have
got. They were ready to fight on the accession of Texas, and are equally ready
to fight now on her secession. Why is this? How can this strange paradox be
accounted for? There seems to be but one rational solution and that is,
notwithstanding their professions of humanity, they are disinclined to give up
the benefits they derive from slave labor. Their philanthropy yields to their
interest. The idea of enforcing the laws, has but one object, and that is a
collection of the taxes, raised by slave labor to swell the fund, necessary to
meet their heavy appropriations. The spoils is what they are after—though they
come from the labor of the slave. [Continued applause.]
Mr. Stephens
reviewed at some length, the extravagance and profligacy of appropriations by
the Congress of the United States for several years past, and in this
connection took occasion to allude to another one of the great improvements in
our new constitution, which is a clause prohibiting Congress from appropriating
any money from the treasury, except by a two-third vote, unless it be for some
object which the executive may say is necessary to carry on the government.
When it is thus asked for, and estimated for, he continued,
the majority may appropriate. This was a new feature.
Our fathers had guarded the assessment of taxes by insisting
that representation and taxation should go together. This was inherited from
the mother country, England. It was one of the principles upon which the revolution
had been fought. Our fathers also provided in the old constitution, that all
appropriation bills should originate in the representative branch of Congress,
but our new constitution went a step further, and guarded not only the pockets
of the people, but also the public money, after it was taken from their
pockets. · He alluded to the difficulties and embarrassments which seemed to
surround the question of a peaceful solution of the controversy with the old
government. How can it be done? is perplexing many minds. The President seems
to think that he cannot recognize our independence, nor can he, with and by the
advice of the Senate, do so. The constitution makes no such provision, A
general convention of all the States has been suggested by some.
Without proposing to solve the difficulty, he barely made
the following suggestion:
“That as the admission of States by Congress under the
constitution was an act of legislation, and in the nature of a contract or
compact between the States admitted and the others admitting, why should not
this contract or compact be regarded as of like character with all other civil
contracts liable to be rescinded by mutual agreement of both parties? The
seceding States have rescinded it on their part, they have resumed their
sovereignty. Why cannot the whole question be settled, if the north desire
peace, simply by the Congress, in both branches, with the concurrence of the
President, giving their consent to the separation, and a recognition of our
independence?” This he merely offered as a suggestion, as one of the ways in
which it might be done with much less violence by constructions to the
constitution than many other acts of that government. [Applause.] The
difficulty has to be solved in some way or other—this may be regarded as a
fixed fact.
Several other points were alluded to by Mr. Stephens,
particularly as to the policy of the new government toward foreign nations, and
our commercial relations with them. Free trade, as far as practicable, would be
the policy of this government. No higher duties would be imposed on foreign
importations than would be necessary to support the government upon the
strictest economy.
In olden times the olive branch was considered the emblem of
peace; we will send to the nations of the earth another and far more potential
emblem of the same, the cotton plant. The present duties were levied with a
view of meeting the present necessities and exigencies, in preparation for war,
if need be; but if we have peace, and he hoped we might, and trade should
resume its proper course, a duty of ten per cent. upon foreign importations it
was thought might be sufficient to meet the expenditures of the government. If
some articles should be left on the free list, as they now are, such as
breadstuffs, etc., then, of course, duties upon others would have to be
higher—but in no event to an extent to embarrass trade and commerce. He
concluded in an earnest appeal for union and harmony, on part of all the people
in support of the common cause, in which we were all enlisted, and upon the
issues of which such great consequences depend.
If, said he, we are true to ourselves, true to our cause,
true to our destiny, true to our high mission, in presenting to the world the
highest type of civilization ever exhibited by man--there will be found in our
lexicon no such word as fail.
Mr. Stephens took his seat, amid a burst of enthusiasm and
applause, such as the Athenæum has never had displayed within its walls, within
“the recollection of the oldest inhabitant.”
[REPORTER'S NOTE.—Your reporter begs to state that the above
is not a perfect report, but only such a sketch of the address of Mr. Stephens
as embraces, in his judgment, the most important points presented by the
orator.—G.]
SOURCES: Henry Cleveland, Alexander H. Stephens, In Public and Private, p. 717-29; Frank
Moore, Editor, The Rebellion Record: A
Diary of American Events, Volume 1, p. 44-9
