Stephens, Alexander Hamilton (1812-1883) to Richard Haldeman

Liberty Hall
Crawfordville, Ga 14th May 1871
Hon. Richard L. Haldeman
Harrisburg
Pa
My Dear Sir,

I trust you will exuse me in writing this letter-being unknown to you personally - I certainly shouldered both the liberty of doing so; but for the discontent I had in the subject to which I wish to call your sacred(?) attention. That intent be assured, is not of a personal character at all - it is the profound interest which may well wishers of my country should feel in public affairs -
I see by the papers that your State Democratic Convention is to meet on the 20th Inst - and the object of this letter is to impress upon you the very great importance of the authority of that Convention so far as relates to its announcement of (?) and position on the present state of public affairs and questions - whether you are a delegate to the Convention or not I do not know: but I take it for granted that you will be in Harrisburg during its session aid will not be indifferent to its action on these points -
An effort is now being made to get the Democratic Party to announce its acceptance of the present situation so called and plant themselves upon the ground of never disturbing or assailing existing results. but to array themselves in opposition to the Party now in Power on what are called the live issues of the day - It is over this view I wish to say a few words to you -

In the first place then, I freely concur with all those friends of liberty who are for waging the contest on live issues and not "dead one(s)". But what are the live issues? Are they not the usurpations of Congress? Is not the most present and absorbing question ever submitted to the people anywhere whether ours is a gov't of Laws or bayonetts? - Is it not the absorbing question of whether the Federal Union under our Constitution shall be preserved or whether we shall have a centralized despotism in its stead? Thus I take it as a simple
proposition(?) ...the Democracy then must array itself against usurpation --against Centalism -- against Despotism in any shape and form it's a matter of (?) alone, if (?) can the contest be successfully waged by them if (?) and (?) to those most (?) usurpations by which the ruling Dynasty now hold power; - those usurpations which strike not only at the citadel of the rights of the States but at the rights of the people, also?
There is no necessity for an specific denunciation, no necessity for any allusion to the Reconstruction Acts so called. The only point on these matters to be guarded against is that they be not endorsed, be not affirmed, be not sanctioned or adopted as results not to be questioned or assailed - they should be accepted or GUIDED to so far as not offering any violent resistance to their execution while they have this form and (?) of laws And the last Democratic address pursued a prudent and wise course in regard to them. I (?) the Resolutions
addressed by the late Democratic Convention of Ky- All things considered they are in my opinion admirable - They present a bold front against usurpation - concede no further (?) at no just usurpation, much less endure or affirm such but pledge their party to a peaceful (?) of all existing armies through the ballot and the other instruments of the Constitution - This is right - It's on the right line - the Democracy of Pa. ought to allign themselves with the Democrats of Ky above(?) that is in a similar platform - If so all I trust will be well - But allow me to say when in great (?) that if the Pa. shall on the 20th lead off with the declaration of a pardon (?) on the groundwork of the party now in power or the acceptance of the assembly on which that groundwork of usurpations was created(?) - then in my opinion all will be lost. They will not only lose their won state, but this end will be followed by Ohio in June and a general defeat will be the convention (?) . In name of (?) no party can beat another by the (?) other then assembly (?) be assured I have no motive in the world in thus addressing you but the best interest of
our common country and I take no active (?). Indeed I don't expect ever
to be able to leave my house again - but I do hold a profound interest in the (?) of our ancestors whenever we are in such current danger.- To rescue and preserve their liberty from the hands of men who are bent upon their overthrow will mean the return again of prudence, wisdom & patriotism them would be conciliation, union and harmony on the part of all those who are in favor of free gov't and against centralism.

But I can say no more. Yours truly, Alexander H Stephens

PS. I must hardly say I suppose that this letter is for yourself only and not for the public in any sense