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Speech Of A. H. Stephens

Speech Of A. H. Stephens image
Parent Issue
Day
15
Month
February
Year
1861
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Moutgomery, Fcl. 10. The Ilon. A. II. Stcphens said, in responso to a serenado last eveuing: - Though we moet as strangera f'roni dif ierent. and independent States,. we aro oiicu more citizons of a oomrnon country. Allow me fraokly and siocerely to return my unfeigned thanks for tbib compliment. The state of my health and voice, and tho night air, aparl from othcr considerations, prevent [me from doing moro. TbÍ8 s. ,.wt tho lime or píase to discuss tho great question now pro.ssinjjr on the public comísela. Jt is suffioient tp say, that this day a new Republic lias been fonned. Tho confedérate Btates of America bave buen ushered into existenoe, to tako tlioir placo amongst thc nations of the carth, under a temporarj or proviMon1 governmflDt.it is true, faut soon to be foilowed by ono of permanent cbaraoter which." while it Barrendera none of ct ancient rigbta and h'berties, will rccure thom inoro perfec'.ly. Wp trust j for peaca, security and Jomeslio tran That ought to bo the object of 11 gowarnmoata, What is the futuro oí this now (rpvornment ? Tho fate oi j th# tww Bepublic will dtpend upon ouríáves. Sjï-. States ouly at present cons-táiute it - but eix atara vet appear in oureonsteiluliflü aud ennstitution. The permaueut governmcnt may have a greater numbor tban tho original Thirtoen, tho original Union - with mure than threo limiíb! their.populátioOj wealth and power. With such a-beginbing t.he prospect of th futuro, presente etrong hopos to tlie patrint's heort. SVhat tho futuro shall be dopends upon ourselvsa and thoso who shall oome aftei' us. O:ir rep ubi' c, and all república, to bo permanent and prospero ua, must bo supportod by the vinuo, intelligcuiio, iotegrity and pátriotisin of tho pooplo. Thcso are the corner atunes upon which the templo oí iiborty musí bo coistructod to stand soouroly and permaoently. Resting our hopos m thoso, wo need í'ear notliing from without or within. W.th a elimate unn'Jiaaífid by uny on eartb, with etaples anii pfnduotionB which control the comiutíi-ce ui1 the world ; with instítutioiH so far as tagaxda our prganic and ouial policy, iu Ktrict conformity to natni-íj and the laws of tho Creator, vvhothar read iu the liook oí Ibspiration tho Great Book of noanifestation nround uh, wo havo all t lie natural eleiflonU (issantial to the attainment ín the bigbent dagruti oi power and giory. Tiieso in.stituuons bave been inuch mBailed, and jt is our niiissíon to vindícate the Uuth on which they rost, and wi h thenj eshibit the highest type of civilizatiou wbjch it is possiblo for human tocioiy V) repelí. ín doing this ur policy tibould be inarkt'd by a deekc to l!vsi'! Vi! :iinl míiintain penoe with o.!l Sta.es mik! people. II lliis cannot bc cfcine i-t nol ll;i Fault l at uur door! vfhile we shouid mak o nsrg easions on DK)ne, vu sliould bc propared to ropel tb ose mado hy othors - Jut theth con:o ■ fnmi whut qmirter thoy muy. Wo k of otliera sirnply to lut ih.uIoihí ai.il to 'no ] armitterl to look nt ou'r sufety, Recii'ity :u)m l.;i;'iini;-: our ovvn v.:i_y, Ui'lioul giving oSencs lo other psrple. Let. theti pc:i(:o, ÍV:i!i;:nty aiul Iibei;i1 i ciiiiiiiicii ui 1 relations with all tb world :bo our motto. With ;hese principies, wi;ljfut cnvy lnw;.n.!s othor Stus.in t lio Ittie of poli ,v they mny tako tlicniSelvc1!, wo w ill in . iti; tlicm to a gvnrr ons rivnlry in :ill that develops tiio liiglü-st qualily of every nation. With tUobest wishfts to yon, gwtlemenj atid to itoe sucoess of our oorntnon govern? ment this day announced, I bid you good uight. IJ o was frefjiientlv iiitorrupted by ! !ip]ilmsi, and on retirir.g tlinto cheers wuru niven ior Mr. Stöphens, the iitst Vice-Peefiiderit of thu ooofederate States of AiDericii.

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Subjects
Old News
Michigan Argus