Crawfordville [Ga.], July 4th, 1860.
. . . No news politically—two tickets I suppose will be run in Ga. I shall take no active part—can do no good. The Legislature will have to choose electors if the Democratic party is split to any considerable extent, as it probably may be. The Breck. and Lane ticket will carry much the larger portion I think. I could not favour a movement which in my judgment originated not from principle but hostility to a man. And I feel no disposition to engage in an internecine fight when nothing in the end can be hoped for but a profitless victory even at the very best. I shall therefore take my rest quietly, looking on, hoping for the best, though I greatly fear troubles are ahead. If they come I can bear my share. Those only will be responsible whose folly and madness brought them on. The people must bear them as they do all other misfortunes. What I write to you is always strictly and exclusively for yourself.
From Annual Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1911.
Alexander Hamilton Stephens was an American politician who served as the vice president of the Confederate States from 1861 to 1865. After serving in both houses of the Georgia General Assembly, he won election to Congress, taking his seat in 1843. After the Civil War, he returned to Congress in 1873, serving to 1882 when he was elected as the 50th Governor of Georgia, serving there from late 1882 until his death in 1883.
J. Henley Smith was a Georgia journalist.