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Alexander H. Stephens, Cornerstone Speech, March 21, 1861, Savannah, Georgia
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 cornerstone 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. 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 antislavery 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…
(The Northern States) were attempting to make things equal which the Creator had made unequal.
But to return to the question of the future. What is to be the result of this revolution?
Will everything, 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
dissentions 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…
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
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 is the way the
This is the way the
North received it
South received it
PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S INAUGURAL