Alexander H. Stephens, who served as the Vice President of the Confederate States of America, presented the Cornerstone Speech in Savannah, Georgia. This speech took place shortly after the formation of the Confederacy, during a critical period marked by increasing tensions between the North and South. In his address, Stephens sought to articulate the core values underpinning the Confederate nation. He controversially stated that the Confederacy was founded upon the idea that the institution of slavery was not merely a social necessity but a positive good that justified the division from the Union. This speech made clear that the Confederacy intended to uphold and protect slavery as a central tenet of its existence.

Stephens remarked that the cornerstone of the new Confederacy was the belief in the inequality of races, standing in stark contrast to the principles of liberty and equality espoused in the Declaration of Independence. His emphasis on white supremacy and the natural order of society was alarming to many and highlighted the ideological chasm that separated the South from the North. Moreover, the speech played a significant role in defining the Confederacy’s identity, instilling a sense of purpose among its supporters.

Additionally, Stephens’s speech not only contributed to the ideological foundations of the Confederacy but also served as a rallying point for supporters of the Southern cause. His declarations reinforced the motivations for secession and the war, making it one of the most explicitly racially charged political statements of the era. The speech was widely reported and discussed, becoming a key document in understanding the mindset of Confederate leaders and their vision for the new nation they were forming.