Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-02-19
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FROM MONTGOMERY.
INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT DAVIS.
HIS INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

his duties Provisional President Of the Confederate
States of America.
The Inauguration ceremonies constituted the grandest
pageant witnessed in the South An immense
crowd comprising much Of the beauty and the chivary
Of the SOu,h-dies citizens and sodiery-gathered
Capitol Hill At 10 O'clock Mr.. Davis began the deliv-
/ cry Of bis inaugural speech, as follows
Gentlemen Of tas Congress Of ne Confederate
states Of du,srira Friends, FSIiol,. Citi-ci,S !:
Called 10 the difficult and responsible station Of Chief
Executive of the Provisional Government which you
have instituted approach the discharge OF the duties
assigned me with an humble distrust of NV abilities but
With sustaining confidence in the wisdom of those who
guide and aid in the administration of public
afrs and abiding faith in the virtue and patriotism
the people Looking forward to the speedy establish
ment OF Permanent Government 10 take the place of
and which, by its greater moral and ysica power
VI. be better able to combat With the many difficulties
which arise from the conflicting interests OF separate
tons | upon the duties Of the office 10 which
have been chosen with the hope that the beginning Of
our career as Conederacy may not be Obstruced by
hostile oppression 70 enjoyment in separate exist
ence Of the independence have asserted and which
with the blessing Of Providence we intend 10 maintain
Our present condition has been achieved in a manner
preeedented in the history of nations Il illustrates
tue American idea that governments must upon the
consent OF the governed, and that it is the right of
people alter and abolish governments whenever they
b.cOue destructive Of the ends for which they were es
| tsblished The declared purpose of the compact OF
Union from which we have Withdrawn was Ito establish
|
. mmOn deieace, promote the general welfare and
secure the blessings Of liberty 10 ourselves and pos
Ia ty"-snd when in the judgement of the sovereign
/ StaUs comprising this COntedefacy, il had been
/ perverted from the purp,s for which it Was
ordained and ceased 70 the ends for which It
establish d. peaceful appeal TO the ballobeN declared
that far they concerned the government ere
atei by that comp should 10 exist In this they
merely asserted tue right which the DeclIat of indie
pendeuce of I16 dfuci be inalienable OF the time
and the occasion for is eNer e, they sovereigus
we're the final Judges each for ITSELF An impartial ard
enlightened verdict W vindic4ie the rccstude OF our
conduct and He who knows the hearts CT will Judge
tie sincerity With which bred TO preserve gov
e nmeut Of our fathers, in Its spirit
The rights soemuly pIOcsime Tat he birth Of the G. tea
d which have been ali Ie6t-ued 10 the Bills Of
Rights of the States slbsequ, " adm into the Union
% 1889 incidentally rte = in the leJpe the power
and authority delegated for pu poses OF government
Thus the sovereign States here epr sen proceeded to
form this Conlederecy and is by abuse OF language
/ that their act has been denom stsd revolution THY
have formed no rev alliance, bat within each State it
government has remained-;hs rights of person ard
property have not been disturbed tbs agent through
whom they communicated with foreign atoms has been
changed but that does not necessarily ( our re-
tional relations Sustained by ousness that the
transition from the former Uuon TO the present Coned
erlcy ha, proceeded from any disregard part
Just Ch Cations any tu!ure to perform every co,
stutioua DUTY moved by interest sson 20 invade
uerce with all natous II may net hope avoid war
W. NAV az least lpcct that pOserity will acquit Of hav
ing needles,y engaged IT, Dcubly justified BY the ab-
sence Ot wrong part aud by wauton aggression
on the part OF Others, there csA be no doubt
that the courage and patriotism OF the people Of ire
Cosfe crate States viii b. fouad EQUAL any measures
OF defence which our future security may require.
Al agricultural people. whose chief interest is the
oor: OF a commodity -4uired in every manufacturing
country our policy is peace and tree trade
vvfu 1rnf+ Il t-q1t-a
and that Of ell 10 whom would SELL and from whom
we would buy that there should be the tewest practical
Die restriction in the interchaTge Of commodities
There can be bat little rivalry betEeen aud
tny manufacturing or navigating community-such as
the Northeastern S.GIts OF the American Union. IL
mus, follow therefore that mutual interest would invite
good vii and kind offices. IT, however passion or the
.ust of domiuCerug should cloud the judgment or il
dame the ambition Of these Saes, WG must pr pare 10
meet the emerg ncy aud maintain by the haal srblra-
ueat Of tie sword The position which We have assumed
amoug the nations of the earth. We entered upon
career Of Independence aud 1t must be ihexitg pun
sued Through many years Of controversy with late
assc ite the Northern States, We have ya, y endea
voyed 70 rA q lily and obtain respect for rghs
70 which tutlted As necessity not choice, ne
have resOr;ed the remedy OF sep ration, and hence
forth our energies must be directed the couduct Of
our affairs aud the pesFetuiiy Of tue Co9iedeacy which
We have formed II just perception and mutual inter-
st shall hermit Us praceably pursue separate po
filed bur, If this De denied US and the integrity OF our
terri ory and jurisdiction be assaed it viii but remain
or IS With firm resolve, 10 appeal 70 arms and invoke
be blessing Of Providence On lst cause.
A. consequence o; or nav condition, and with
view 10 meet anticipated vans 1t vii DC sary TO
provide speedy and efficient organization Of branches
of the Executive Department having special charge
Of foreign intercourse, hnance military affairs and
postal service For purposes OF defence, the 20
e6erste States may, under ordinary circumstances
i'll mil ga hut f1aaVT
acysabe in the present condition OF aairs that here
should DO a well instructed and disciplined aIBy more
numerous q an would usually be required peace
sbl shmeu'. also suggest that for the protection If
our harbor, and commerce on the high seas navy adp
"a TO those objects required These necessities have
doubtless engaged the attention of Congress.
With Constitution dN ring from that Of fathers
10 so far only as 1t is explanatory Of their well known
intent-freed from the sectional conflicts which have
nterlered with the pursuit of the general weliare-it s
MT unreasonable 10 eXoect that States from which
ave recently parted may seek TO unite th,r for
tunes with ouis Wd tie rnment We have
instituted For this your Consu ution makes sde-
ouate provision, but teyond this, | mistake not,
The Judgment and will of the people that union
with the States from which have separated is neithlr
marketable nor desirable. To increase the power deve
oue the resources and promote the happiness OF Con-
ederacy il is requisite that there should be so much OF
homosen,ity that the welfare OF every portion will be the
m Of the whole Where tbs does not exist AntagULs
a.. engendered which must and should result ia sepa-
ration Actuated solely by the desire TO prese We
our own rights aud promote welfare the
nara on of the Confederate States has been
m rked by no aggression upon Others and fUoVe by
M domestic convulson. Our industrial pursuits have
- eiyra no check the cultivation Of fields has pre-.
crossed as heretofore and should be involved
In war there would be considerable dminucn in the
n.odrctiou of the staples which have stiJued
lots in which the commercial word has all interest
scsrcely less thsn own. This common interest of
producer and consu Ouly be intercepted by such
exterior force as should obsuucs its transmission to
,rrn markes-a course OF conduct which would be
lust towards Us as it would be detrimental TO manufac
turing and commercial interests abroad Should reason
I'd the acton OF ,the Government from wi ich we have
-Derated policy 30 detrimental to the civilized wold
the Northern State. included could be prompted by
even stronger desire 70 uet jury upon but other
wi.e terrible responsibility will rest upon aud the suf
E., ng millions will bear tes imoay 10 the folly and
Nj kedRes OF our aggressOrs 10 the mean time there will
rems to us besides the ord nary remedies before suc
eeste the well known resources for retaliation upon the
cem cree Of enemy.
Experieuee in public Stations OF q subordinate grade
this which your kiudn, has CONF Red has taugat
that care aud toll and dsaT pontment are the price OF
Nj ial elevation. You will many errors ~ forgive,
mauy deficiencies tolerate but you shall not mud IN
me want Of fidelity the cause that to me the highest
a hope and Of endearing affection our generosi
has bestosed on undeServed Distinction one which
neither sought desired Upon the continuance OF that
sentiment aud upon your wisdom and patTiolS rely
70 dire ct aud support il the performance OF the du
- required al nv hands We have charge OF tie con
situeht parts bot the system OF our goy rnnent-
The constitution formed BY faith Is that OF these
Confederate States In their exposition OF It and IN n'
lici.l constructions it has received we have light
bich reveals its true meaning Thus instructed as TO