deas. Its
foundations are laid, its corner-stone rests upon the great truth that
the negro is not equal to the white man. That in 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. It is the first
government ever instituted upon principles in strict conformity to
nature and the ordination of Providence in furnishing the materials of
human society. Many governments have been founded upon the principle of
enslaving certain classes, but the classes thus enslaved were of the
same race and enslaved in violation to the laws of nature."

"Our system commits no such violation of the laws of nature. The negro,
by nature or by the curse against Canaan is fitted for that condition
which he occupies in our system. The architect in the construction of
buildings lays the foundation with the proper material, the granite;
then comes the brick or marble. The substratum of our society is made of
the material fitted by nature for it, and by experience we know that it
is best not only for the superior, but the inferior race that it should
be so. It is, indeed, in conformity with the Creator. It is not for us
to inquire into the wisdom of his ordinances, or to question them. For
his own purposes he has made one race to differ from another, as he has
made one star to differ from another in glory. The great objects of
humanity are best attained when conformed to his laws and decrees in the
formation of governments as well as in all things else. Our confederacy
is founded upon principles in strict conformity with these laws. This
stone which was rejected by the first builders 'is become the chief
stone of the corner' in our new edifice."

By both of these speeches he was of great service to the national
government. The first was used to justify the suppression of secession,
and the second to excite the animosity of the world against secession.
After the war Mr. Stephens was once more a member of the National
Congress and Governor of his native State. On the 3rd day of March,
1883, he died at his home in Crawfordville. We have thus spoken of Mr.
Stephens as a legislator; personally, he was a very pleasant man to
meet, loved in society, was kind-hearted, and we believe sincere. His
eloquence was at times wonderful, and was augmented rather than
diminished by his physical infirmity. Thos