Stephens, Alexander Hamilton (1812-1883) Who is responsible for the war? Who accountable for its horrors and desolations?
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06157.08 Author/Creator: Stephens, Alexander Hamilton (1812-1883) Place Written: [New York/Philadelphia?] Type: Broadside Date: circa 1861-1864 Pagination: 1 p. ; 28.2 x 22.7 cm. Order a Copy
Excerpts from a speech by Stephens to the Georgia secession convention on January 31, 1861. (Stephens, who was opposed to secession, ended up becoming vice president of the Confederacy.) He tells the convention, "This step, once taken, can never be recalled; and all the baleful and withering consequences that must follow (as you will see) will rest on the Convention for all coming time." Includes a list of "warlike and treasonable acts" committed by the Southern states before President Lincoln was inaugurated, presented as evidence that Lincoln did not instigate the war, as claimed by the secessionists. Based on wording and typography, at least one researcher believes this was an 1864 Lincoln campaign circular, published by the National Union Executive Committee in New York (See www.worldcat.org, OCLC 191234046.)
Stephens served as Vice President of the Confederacy through the Civil War, as a United States Representative from Georgia 1843-1858 and 1873-1882, and as Governor of Georgia 1882-1883.
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