The cornerstone speech, also known as the cornerstone address, was an oration delivered by confederate vice president alexander stephens at the athenaeum in savannah, georgia, on. Stephens at librivox public domain audiobooks alexander h. The forgotten corners of alexander stephens cornerstone speech. Stephens, in full alexander hamilton stephens, born february 11, 1812, wilkes county, georgia, u. Three weeks after abraham lincolns inauguration, stephens delivered this speech in savannah, identifying the cornerstone of the confederacy as an idea opposite to the equality. The cornerstone speech, delivered by confederate vp alexander stephens posted by revelator on 3116 at 5. The cornerstone speech, delivered by confederate vp. The cornerstone speech by confederate vicepresident alexander stephens confirms and ends debate in civil war cause. Sep 14, 2017 as for stephens speech n 1861, dont overlook the fact that his characterization of slavery as the cornerstone of the new nation is exactly in line with the central rhetoric of the secession documents created by the original deep south states in the winter of 186061, including stephens home state of georgia. Delivered extemporaneously a few weeks before the confederacy would start the american civil war by firing on the u.
At half past seven oclock on thursday evening, the largest audience ever assembled. Alexander hamilton stephens, the cornerstone speech 1861 on march 21, 1861, alexander hamilton stephens, vice president of the newly established confederate states of america, stood before an overflowing crowd at the athenaeum in savannah, georgia, and delivered a speech outlining what he believed was the great principle. The new constitution has put at rest forever all the agitating questions relating to our peculiar institutionsafrican slavery as it exists among us. Stephens at the athenaeum in savannah, georgia, on march 21, 1861, delivered extemporaneously a few weeks before the civil war began with the battle of fort sumter. The cornerstone speech, also known as the cornerstone address, was delivered extemporaneously by confederate vice president alexander stephens in savannah, georgia on march 21, 1861.
Alexander stephens, the corner stone speech march 21. The cornerstone speech by confederate vicepresident. Alexander stephens, the vicepresident of the confederate states of america, gave this speech, known as the cornerstone speech, in savannah, georgia on march 21, 1861. Schott talks about the speech by alexander stephens, vice president of the confederacy, being cited wednesday in the. Alexander stephens, from the cornerstone speech routledge. On march 21, 1861, alexander hamilton stephens, vice president of the newly established. Oh this is the sort of post that forces them to look in the mirror and realize how wrong they are. Cornerstone speech a speech delivered by confederate vice president, alexander stephens in savannah, georgia on march 21, 1861.
Csa vp alexander stephens, cornerstone speech, march 21, 1861 nikki haley makes the ridiculous claim that the confederate flag wasnt racist until the 2015 charleston church massacre. Alexander stephens on the confederacys cornerstone alexander stephens began. Stephens was speaking extemporaneously and later complained that his views had been distorted and taken out of context by northern abolitionists. Stephens, confederatevicepresident, has been portrayed by historians as detrimental to southern chances for unity andsuccess. That alexander stephens understood the confederacy through its cornerstone of slavery is plainly true and explained in his own words. Oct 23, 2017 the cornerstone speech by alexander stephens is the usual bludgeon of choice. Of course, by that point the confederacy was destroyed and alexander stephens was making a living touring the north debating in front of huge crowds. But the csa flag was raised at the sc state house in 1961to commemorate 100 years since alexander stephens announced the new confederate constitition. Cornerstone speech by alexander stephens in savannah, georgia, march 21, 1861. Alexander stephens, the corner stone speech march 21, 1861 source. Stephens 18121883, although originally opposed to secession, was elected vicepresident of the confederacy. Alexander stephens on the confederacys cornerstone alexander stephens began his political career in the.
Seven states have within the last three months thrown off an old government and formed a new. Alexander stephens 1812 83 was a prominent southern moderate from georgia and the vicepresident of. A member of the democratic party, he represented the state of georgia in the united states house of representatives prior to becoming governor. The cornerstone speech, also known as the cornerstone address, was an oration given by confederate vice president alexander h. Stephens cornerstone speech of march 21, 1861, and then study the thomas nast editorial cartoon, the presidents inaugural, of. Friends of padre steves world, on march 21st 1861 in the midst of the secession crisis, the newly elected vice president of the confederacy, the former georgia senator, alexander stephens made a speech in savannah georgia demonstrating just how much the new confederacy was different that the republic founded in 1776 and who those founders struggled with the morality of slavery.
The famous 1861 cornerstone speech that aimed for hard truths. I shall take my time i feel quite prepared to spend the night with you if necessary. We are all familiar with alexander stephenss famous cornerstone speech which he delievered on march 21, 1861 in savannah, georgia. In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content the confederate career of alexander ii. Alexander stephens cornerstone speech confederate vice president alexander stephens delivered this speech in savannah, georgia on march 21, 1861, just a few weeks before the start of the civil war. The cornerstone speech, also known as the cornerstone address, was an oration delivered by confederate. In his infamous cornerstone speech, confederate vice president alexander stephens proclaimed that the cornerstone of the confederate states of. I cannot speak so long as there is any noise or confusion.
Cornerstone speech by alexander stephens in savannah. Alexander hamilton stephens, the cornerstone speech 1861. Cornerstone speech the cornerstone speech, also known as the cornerstone address, was an oration delivered by confederate vice president alexander stephens at the athenaeum in savannah, georgia, on march 21, 1861. Stephens papers, containing correspondence while stephens was vice president of the confederacy, are available for research use at the historical society of pennsylvania. Cornerstone speech origins of the american civil war. It was delivered extemporaneously by confederate vice president alexander stephens in savannah, georgia on march 21, 1861. I was remarking that we are passing through one of the greatest revolutions in the annals of the world. American history 1 final exampart 3 flashcards quizlet. The cornerstone speech was delivered extemporaneously by confederate vice president alexander stephens in savannah, georgia on march 21, 1861. As for stephens speech n 1861, dont overlook the fact that his characterization of slavery as thecornerstone of the new nation is exactly in line with the central rhetoric of the secession documents created by the original deep south states in the.
Confederates had to quickly create not only a government, but also a nation, including all of the cultural values required to foster patriotism. Alexander stephens cornerstone speech showed what the south really believed when they created their confederate nation. Project muse the confederate career of alexander h. Alexander stephens 181283 was a prominent southern moderate from georgia and the vicepresident of. The cornerstone of the confederacy is the rejection of the idea that all men are created equal georgia.
Read the selection from confederate vice president alexander h. In this excerpt, he explains the differences between the confederate constitution and the us constitution. The alexander h stephens speech demonstrates good oratory skills, a great public speaker with the ability to use clear words and text. Stephens, and no official printed version exists, although a local newspaper reporter printed a transcription of the speech later that same week. Stephens presents what he believes are the reasons for the revolution. Jan 23, 20 we are all familiar with alexander stephenss famous cornerstone speech which he delievered on march 21, 1861 in savannah, georgia. Because of the length of the speech, we give first an extract, the socalled cornerstone section of the speech, followed by a link to the entire document. Alexander stephens, the corner stone speech march 21, 1861. Stephens papers, 18231954 digitized, rubenstein library, duke university. It laid out the confederate causes for the american civil war, and defended slavery.
In the speech stephens laid out the confederacys states rights argument and defended slavery, the. The famous 1861 cornerstone speech that aimed for hard. Alexander hamilton stephens february 11, 1812 march 4, 1883 was a democratic politician and lawyer from the u. Alexander stephens, vice president of the confederate states of america cornerstone speech savannah, georgia march 21, 1861 the cornerstone speech was delivered without notes by vice president alexander h. Cornerstone speech by alexander stephens in savannah, georgia, march 21, 1861 download pdf resource courtesy of the indiana state library, stephens. Stephens vice president of the confederacy, savannah, georgia, march 21, 1861 an excerpt from the complete speech. I am indebted to justin sanders and ed frank for sending me photocopies of the speech from the encyclopedia of. Alexander stephens cornerstone speech in savannah is unquestionably the most famous speech associated with the confederacy. The speech explained what the differences were between the constitution of the confederate republic and that of the united states, laid out the confederate causes. Schott talks about the speech by alexander stephens, vice president of the confederacy, being cited wednesday in the debate over the confederate battle flag. The alexander h stephens cornerstone speech featured is in the form of extracts, passages or lines from the alexander h stephens cornerstone speech.
The cornerstone speech, also known as the cornerstone address, was an oration delivered by confederate vice president alexander stephens at the athenaeum in savannah, georgia, on march 21, 1861. With letters and speeches, before, during, and since the war philadelphia, 1886, pp. He grew up destitute and was raised by relatives after both his parents died by the time he was 14. Alexander hamilton stephens february 11, 1812 march 4, 1883 was a confederate politician who served as the vice president of the confederate states from 1861 to 1865, and later as the 50th governor of georgia from 1882 until his death in 1883. Alexander stephens, cornerstone speech 18611 alexander stephens 181283 was a prominent southern moderate from georgia and the vicepresident of the confederate states of america. Alexander stephens himself later disavowed the very idea that the confederacy was founded on slavery and claimed he had been misquoted and misrepresented in the cornerstone speech. Confederate states of america, stood before an overflowing crowd at. Abstract alexander hamilton stephens 1812 1883 was an american politician, best known for occupying the position of vice.
Alexander hamilton stephens february 11, 1812 march 4, 1883 was a confederate politician who served as the vice president of the confederate states from 1861 to. Alexander stephens was born in crawfordville, georgia, on february 11, 1812. In the speech stephens laid out the confederacys states rights argument and defended slavery, the cornerstone for which the speech was named. In this speech alexander stephens, vice president of the confederacy, proclaims that slavery and white supremacy were not only the cause for secession, but also the cornerstone of the confederate. Read the selection from confederate vice president. In it he lays out the purpose of the new confederate government and the proper status of black people. The speech explained what the differences were between the constitution of the confederate republic and that of the united states, laid out the confederate causes for the american civil war, and defended slavery. The cornerstone speech, also known as the cornerstone address, was an oration delivered by confederate vice president alexander stephens at the athenaeum in savannah, georgia on march 21, 1861. Stephens speech defended slavery, explained the fundamental differences between the constitutions of the. He was previously a member of congress where, in the late 1840s, stephens met and befriended the young abraham lincoln. The speech explained what the differences were between the constitution of the confederate republic and that of the united states, laid out the confederate causes for the american civil war, and. With letters and speeches, before, during, and since the war. Stephens, a georgian who had served in congress, was the new vice president of the csa in the spring of 1861, and in this speech he explained the new confederate constitution and the prospects of the new nation, as he saw them, to an audience in savannah. Alexander stephens cornerstone speech the 1927 statue of alexander stephens as it sits in the u.