President Stephens's Views upon
, Peace Movements.,
Tho following leUer froat Vict PreiiiVnt Hon. A.
If. Stephens, giving hi views npon "Peace Move
nentt,M will be read with interest.'1 it" was written
in answer to a letter addressed f to him' by several
entlcien In the interior ftbiSste: r : 'y
' CrawffrJvUiGiaept.22d,t1864.;i',
Gentlkmkn: You wjil please excuse
me far not answering4your letter of the
14th instant, sooner. 1 hate been absent
nearly a week on a viijt .U my Jbrotlier.in
Sparta, who lias been quite out health
fr some lime. Your letter I found here on
my return home yesterday, , , The delay of
hit h-jjij mus ocpastntiea I regret. t . ,
( Without further explanation or apology,
alio me now t'c say to you, that no person
living can possibly feet a niVile a r tie lit de
sire for an end tit be nut to 'it is unnatural
and merciless war. upon hnnorabli and just
terms man i do. Uut 1 real!?, do not see
tht it is in my power, nr your, or that of
niMiiucr mi rrsoni in OUT position, 10
inaugurate any movement ' that will even
tend to hid in bringing about a result that
we and to many more so much desire. The
movement by mir Legulature 'at its last
session, st the suggestion of the Executive,
on this subject, was by authority properly
constituted for such '-'a ' purpose. That
movement in my judgment wa timely,
judicious, and in the nV't direction. Noc
has it been without results. The or rail 1
zation of that party at tfce North to which
you rtfermay justlr be Vlaimed as a part
of the Iruits of it. These it is to be hoped
will te followed bv others of a mora, mark
ed character, if all in both sections who
sincerely desire peace opon correct term?
will give that movement thus inaugurated
-II .1. i
an uic am mtneir power.
The Ktiolutions nf the Georgia Legis
lature at its Jast session, upoii the subject
l prace. in my judgment Embodied 'and
aet forth very clearly those 'principles up
on which alone there can be permanent
peace between the different section of this
extensive, once happy and prosperous, b,ut
now tmtraeteu country. The easy. am!
perfect Iutir.n to all .ur present troubles
and th'se fir more gnevoas one which
loom up in prospect and portentously
threaten in the coming future, is nothing
more than the aimnle recognition uf the
fundamental principle and truth upon whicf
an American Constitutional Ttbertr i
faunded and" upon the maintenance o
which alone it can be preserved ; that i
the sovereigntythe ultimate absolute so
vrreiTtyofthe States. This doctrine our
t Legislature announced to the people of the
North and to the world. " It is the only
key-note n. f.eace permanent, lastin
peace consistent with 1 the security c
public liberty. The old Confederation was
Sonnet upon this principle. The old Uni
on was afterwards formed upon this prin
c iple ; and no Union or League can ever be
lormru or maintained between any States
IWtu or South. securing public liberty
upon any other principle. The whole
frame work of American" Institution which
in so fhort a time had won the admiration
of the world ami to which we were, indebt
ed lor such an unparalleled career of or
prritv and happiness, was formed upon
mis principle, .mi our prtsenutrouuie
. i . .i ; i .
ig iipm a iiepanurc irom mi nrinci
.i
.ft
1 it"
ple.'and the J"t governed !' in; this annun
ciat'mn is meant communities and - bodies
f men capable of organizing and maintain-
ng Government, not individual members
society, the "consent of. the covero-
d" refers to the will o the mass of the
community or State in its organized 'form
ion cAjjiesseu tnrougn us legitimate ana
iroperly constituted organs'.
It was upon -this prihcTpie the Colonies
stood justified2 before!the w&rld in affecting
a separation from the mother country.' It
was upon this principle that the original
thirteen co.equat and co-sovereign States
ormed the federal compact of the old
Union in 1787.- It is upon the same prin
ciple that the present co-equal. and Co
sovereign States of our Confederacy. form
ed their new compact of Union, ,i'he idea
mat ine oki union or any union Dtween
any of their Sovereign btates conaistentlr
S - m . . "
witn liieir fundamental truth cn be main
tained by force is preposterous. This war
springs from an attempt to do this prepos-
.
terous inmg. , superior power may compel
a Union of some sort, but it would not be
the Union of the old Constitution , or our
new it would be. that sort of union that
results from despot ism. The subjugation
of the people of the South bv the people of
the INorth, would necessarilv involve the
destruction nf the Constitution and the
overthrow of their liberties as well as ours.
The men or the party at the North to whom
' 1 r " ...
you reier uno lavor peace, mustoe oroont
to a full realization of this truth in all jts
bearings before their efforts will result in
much practical good ; for any peace grow-
ng out ol a Union of Nates established by
force, will be as ruinous to them as us. The
action of the Chicago Convention, so far
as its platform of principles goes, presents
as I have said on another occasion, " a rav
of light which under Providence may prove
ill )s-n fit ifav to fhii nir anil -lirlsc
submitted for subsequent ratification by the ference- to the " recent disturbances in that
sovereign States whom it affected, befnre it country The venerable philanthropist ur-
8UUUIU ue owigaior or Dinaing, ana men gea the Minister to watph parefully over
binding only on such as should so ratify, the carrying out of the edict -of the Sultan
n uccomes me peopie oi me ooum as wen in regard loathe liberties otjhe Jews and
as the people of the North 4o be quite as non Mussulmans in Morocco. ;
watchful and jealous ol their rights as their This wealthy Israelite has. made himself
common ancestors were 'The maintenance consDicuous for his energetic services in
oi i.ioeny in an ages, times ana countries, Europe and the East in behalf of his coun
when and where it has existed; has recjuir trymen the Jews. He has often visited
ed not only constant vijrilancev and jeal- Palestine and tht . coast of Africa where
prin
pie from a violation of this essential vita
law of our political orgsnism.
In !87Gour ancestors and those who are
wiping this unholy crusade against us, to
gether proclaimed the great and eternal
truth fir the maintenance of which they
jointly pledged their lives, their fortune!
and their sacred honor, that" Governments
re instituted amongst men derivinglheir
just powers from the consent of the 'go
verned j" and that "whenever any form of
Government becomes destructive of these
ends.O"'" for which it was hrmed.) it is
the r'C"1 T pfoplc to altar or abolish
if and to institute a nevr Government lay-a
ips a new foondatiao on ssch principle
srid org,,,J,,"5 118 powers in sucn iorm as
4o them na ' most likely to effect
t fceir iale7 "n" wappmces." "
It is nctess here to state that the " pea,
night. The first ray f light I have seen
from the North since the war began. This
cheers the heart, and towards it I could al
most have exclaimed
If til, holy light, o&prin; of Heaven first born,
Or uf the eierntt co-tlrroil beam.
May I express thee unblaaed! sines GoJ is light
Indeed, I could quite so have exclaimed
but lor the sad reflection that whether it
hall brin healinz in its beams or be lost
iii dark and ominous eclipse ere its good!
work be done, depends so much upon the
action of others w ho may uot regard it and
view it as 1 do. So at bet it is but a ray
small and tremulous ray enough only
to gladden the heart and quicken hope.
The pi'omtneut and leading; idea of that
Convention seems t have been a desire to
reach a peaceful adjustment of our present
difficulties and strife through the medium
of a convocation of the State. I hey 'pro
pose to suspend hostilities to'see what can
be done, if anything, by negotiation of
some sort. This is one step in the riyht
direction. To such a convention of the
States 1 should have no objection as a
pace ful conference and interchange of
view between equal ana sovereign roers
just as t'le convention of '187 was call
ed and assembled. The properly consti
tuted authorities at Washington" and Rich
mond, the duly authorised Representative
of the two Confederacies of States, no at
war with each other, might give their as
sent to such a pruonitition. Giiod mij;ht
result from it. It would be an appeal on
both sides from the! sword t reavm and
Justice. All wars which do not result in
.
the extinction or extermination oione siue
or the other must be ended sooner or liter
by some sort of negotiation. From the
discussion ana intercoaosc wi views u
such a convention, the history as well as
the' true nature of our institutions and the
relation of the States towards each other
and towards the Federative Head would
duubttesi be much better understood gen
crally thin they are now. But I should
favor such a proposition only as a peiccful
conference as the Convention of 1787 was.
oiisy but has often required; the greatest many of his people reside, and his idea is
nri wat inn's ai l en (fw't nJ R no a .1t.!i J - 'i r a 1
r"","Y'" a,,, nija iiiu oan luces nidi, i io proviue ways ana means ior meir return
people or -States are ever'subjected to. to. -the land of; their fathers. With this
through such an ordeal we. are now pass- scheme in view he has had interviews with
mg. ' Throozh a like and even severer or- the Emneror of France, and we believe
deal our ancestors passed in their struggle with .other crowned, heads also, seeking:
i"i uic piiuiipics wiiicii u oas "cvoiveu i sucn co-operaiion as governments can ai-
upon us thus to lefend and maintain. But ford, to promote ; the obiect.. The theory
buiici ui"s aim eacriotcs nave 0i some interpreters oi propnecy is mat
been add are to which you allude, they are when Louis Napoleon makes a treaty with
i a.r i rv" " i . . m .
a jewar snonoi me iixe sunerings anq the Jews to aid them in their return, we
saenhces which our fathers bore with pa- mav know from that moment the period
iitm-c, vnuiagc nu lunuuur ju me crisis mat is( to intervene oeiore me coming oi
that " tried men's souls " in their, day. the Lord Jesus to reign on the earth ! The
These are the virtues that sustained them nroohecv ol Daniel is referred to as intU
in their hour of 'need. Their illustrious matins this fact. ' JV. Y. Observer.
1 1 ! t A t I
anu gionous example mas us not to under
estimate the priceless inheritance they Tire Vimwr. 1iKiarr .V W 1
achieved for us at such a cost of treasure and Ljora read a more beautiful tribute to the
)Iood. Oreat as are the odds we are strug- true Minister of the Gospel than the fol-
gl mgaga-nst, they are not greater than those lowing extract from an able speech deliv
against which they successfully struggled, .red in the United States House of ReD-
in point oi reverses, our nonunion is not resentaiives, by Hon. U. W. Voorhees, ef
to be compared with theirs. ' Should Mo- Indiana:
one, oavanoan, vnaneston, Augusta, wa- sir, let not these remarks and recsrda
ron. Montgomery, and even Petersburg 0f faithful history be construed. into an at-
and Richmond fall, our condition would not tark annn the ministers of our divina reli-
k. ....... I-..' i.....r.i .i .l.: I . r. . . . ... .
men ie wwrso or icss impciui iiiau meira gion. I nave endeavored ratuer to portray
was in me oarKesi nour mat restea on the evil results which How trom a desecra-
their lartunes. With wisdom on the part tion of that hirTf"callinr. To ray raiad
of those who control our destiny in the there is no vocation, on this side of the
cabinet and in the field, in husbanding nd mvsterious river which divides time from
properly wielding our resources at their eternity, so lofty, no career of life so se
command and in securing the hearts and renely beautiful, and bordering so closely
the affcctionr of the people in the great upon heaven, as the benevolent pursuits of
cause oi itijnt ana i.ioertv i.ir wnicn we him who tenders the cud of salvation to
1 should be opposed to leaving the ques
tions at issue to the absolute decision ef
sach a body. Delegates might be clothed
With powers to consult and agree if they
could opon some plan of adjustment to be
are slrugjrliug, we could suffer all these the low of a lallinr world. A halo havers.
. I L..... . I . I .... .. ..
losses ana calamines, anu greater even, around his head-which tells that he walks
and stilhrtumph in the end. At presear, in the footsteps of his blessed Master. In
however, I do not see, as I stated , in' the the presence of such a man 1 woaW stand
outset, that you, or I, or any number of uncovered and do him reverent homase.
persons in our position, can do anything to- And there are many such whose pure and
wards inausuratme any, new movement! noUelesa lives nasa almost unheeded br
ookin to a peicelul solution of the pre s- the busv. strivinsr world, but around whom
ent strife." ' ' I the comfortin? an?els of the Lord encamn
The war on our part is fairly and entire- br night and by day. In their keeping are
ly defensive in its character. How long all the future hopes of the Church the
it will continue to be thus wickedly and I hnstian weltare ol manic i ad. , i he youth
tnerciletftly waged against us, depends up- of the land should sit at their feet and learn
en'the people of the North. Georgia, our wisdom, and -both young and old should
own State to wham we owe allegiance, has rise up and call them blessed. Rutin this
with great unanimity proclaimed the prin bright category of human excellence this
cipies upon wnifii a just anu permanent nigu gaiaxy oi atari wmmg wun an ua-
peace ought to be sought and obtained, eartmy splendor mere, is no place ior
The Congress of the Confederate Statei such as take charge of Churches by order
has followed with an endor-emeot of these of the War Department, and preach the
principles. ' All you, and I, and others in I gospel a "commanded by the President of
our position, therefore can do on that line! the United states, the vineyards where
at this time, is to sustain the movement they labor never bear the fruits of peace
thus inaugurated, and to the utmost of our never smile with domestic tranquility. Be
ability " to hold up their , principles as the fore them I do not plead my cause. From
surest hope of restoring soundness to the them I expect to hear n voice save the
public mind ISorth, as the brazen serpent continued and protracted cry ol havoc."
was ntid up lor tne neaiiBgoi israei in uiei t
Wilderness. ieskible cffects or sjiauT.M.io. vve
The chief aid and encouaanement we leatn that on Saturday afiernoon last, about
can cive the Peace Party at the North is five o'clock, Mr. Nelson Lew, who lives in
ti keep belore them these srekt iiimiamen- mis couniy, ueiween jjiiesruic r.u uib
principles and truths which alone will urasy lianas, nau mree ciiuurea v,ooys;
d them arid us to a permanent and last- killed from tbeeffeCiS of lightnins aged
, U;.l. tk. ami ninv. resnectltelv 17. 14 and 7. Ita&Dcira that
mcnt f Constitutional Libertv. With at the tune they were Ki.Ied ca ra:n had
these principles once recognized the future fallen immediately in their neighborhood,
would take care of itself. There would be and that two of the children were sit'.inz in
no more war Ions as they should be ad- the door watching she j;,ay of the lightning
nered to. All questions oi Dountyiries.i as me ciouu was pas&.ng, wua mo mini
Confederacies and Union or Unions would lyin? behind them on the Co or near the
naturally and easily adjust themselves ac-1 door. Their mother was somewhere about
- . , .1 . . .! ll.U.L CI . ' J VI- .1 ..1. - .1
10 me interests 01 me partus nnui tovuvusc. 00c u v' imscraji; si.uckca
enlics of the times. Herein lies by the stroke that killed her children.
the true law of the balance of power and I When she recover il her first thought was
me nannony 01 states. vi net muuicu, m nuru uc wcut w ir'
. . ... i.. .i. t . At .1.1..
1 ours respectlully. I titer mem, sue snv u-j one mat nid uicn
ALEXANDER II. siEi'iiEiS, I lyiogcn tne iidor(stiu in thatpositisawm
his clothes on ure. th put the fire out,
and found hin dead. The ether two ia
Tita Jews w Morocco. Sir Moses Mon- fallen from ths dnar cufside one Irirz ru
tefiorehas addressed a letter to the Prime his face, the o'.Ser en hU side, and lanh
Minister of the Sultan of Moroeco ia re-1 dead. ' .Wednlanuek A hi.
tal
a
in