The Van Buren press., 1861-06-05

United States. In the meantime, under the
mild and genial climate OF the Southern
states, and the increasing care for the we'll
,eing and comfort Of the laboring classes.
dictated alike by interest and humanity. the
African slaves had augmented IN number
rom about six hundred thousand. at the
late of the adoption of the constitutional
compact, to upward Of four millions.
In moral and social condition they had
been elevated from brutal savages into do
cile. intelligent and civilized agricultural
laborers, and supplied not only with bodily
but with careful religious instruc-
tion. under the supervision of . superior
race. Their labor had been SO directsd -
not only to allow . gradual and marked
amelioration Of their own condition. but to
convert hundreds of thousands of square
miles of the wilderness into cultivated lands
cdyeredwith q prosperous people. Towns.
and cities had sprung into existence, and
they rapidly increased in wealth and popu.
latlon under the social system of the South.
The white population of tho Southern
States had augmented from
about 1,25O, 900, at the date of the adop-
tion of the constitution, to more than g.
500 900 in 1860, and the production Of the
for the full development and continuance of
which the labor of African slaves was and
is indispensable-had swollen to an amount
which formed nearly three fourths of the
exports of the whole United States, and
had become absolutely necessary to the
wants Of civilized man.
With interests of such Overwhelming
magnitude, the people of the Southern
k,, IL, r a.
North to the adoption OF some course of ac-
tion to avoid the danger with which they
were menaced. With this view the legis-
laures Of the several States invited tho peo-
pie to select delegates to conventions to be
held for the purpose of determining for them
selves what measures were best to be adop-
te to meet so alarming crisis in their his
tory.
Here it may be proper to observe that
from a period as early as 1798 there had
party almost uninterruptedly in the major
was, in the las. resort, the sole Judge of its
wrongs as Of the mode and measures of re.
dress. ludeed, it is obvious that under tho
law of nations, this principle is an axiom
as applied to the relations of independent,
sovereign States such as those which had
united themselves under the constitutional
compact.
The democratic party of the United
States repeated, in its successful canvass in
1856. the deduction made in numerous pre-
vious political contests, that it would faith
fully abide by and uphold the principles
laid down in the Kentucky and Virgins
legislatures in 1899, and that it adopts those
principles. as constituted, as one of tho
main foundations of its political creed.
! The principles thus empliatically adopted
embrace that to which have already advert
ed-the right of each State to Judge of and
redress the wrongs of which it complains.
These principles were maintained by over
whelming majorities OF the people of all
the States of the Union at different elections
especially in the elections of Mr. Jeffer-
son, in 1905, Mr.. Madison in 1909, and
MIR. Pierce in 1852. In the exercise Of q
right SO ancient, SO well established, ami 80
necessary for self-preservation. the people
of the Confederate States, in their convcn.
tions, determined that the wrongs which
they had suffered, and the evils with which
they were menaced. required that they
should revoke the delegation of powers to
the federal government which they had rat
flied in their several conventions. They
consequently passed ordinances resuming
all their rights as sovereign States, and dis
solved their connection with the other States
of the Union. Having done this, they pro-
cceded to form q new compact among them.
selves by new articles of confederationt
which have also been ratified by conven-
tions Of the several States, with an ap-
proach to unanimity far exceeding that Of
the conventions which adopted the consti-
tuition of 1887. They have organized their
new government in all its departments.-
The functions of the executive. legislative
and judicial magistrates are performed in
accordance with the will Of the people, A.
displayed not merely in cheerful acquies-
ence, but in the enthusiastic support Of the
government thus established by themselves.
and but for the government of the United
States in this legitimate exercise of people
to f-governmcnt. has been manifested in.
every possible form.
Scarce had You assembled in February.
last, when. prior even to the Inauguration
of the chief magistrate you had elected. you
expressed your desire for the settlement of
all questions of disagreement between tho
two governments upon principles Of right.
justice, equity and good faith.
1t was my pleasure, as we'll rs my duty.
to cooperate with you in this work Of pesce.
Indeed, in my address to you on taking tho
oath of Office. and before receiving from you
the communication of that resolution. had
said that as . necessity, not as . choice, we
have resorted to tho remedy of separation.
and henceforth our energies must be direct
/ ed to the conduct of the Confederscy which
we have formed. II q just perception Of
mutual interest shall permit US to psaceably
pursue our separate political career. my
most earnest desire will then have been ful-
filled.
! 1t was in furtherauce Of these accordsnt
views Of the Congress and the executive
that made choice of three discreet. able
and distinguished citizens, who repaired to
Washington. Aided by their cordial Co
operation and that Of the Secretary Of State
every effort compatible with self-respect au1
the dignity of the Confederacy, was exh- ann.
ted before allowed myself to yi~a a - ~.
conviction that the Govern, .s ~. ~.
United States was deter, ..,,ined ~ .t,.,.n, ~,
the conquest Of tbs people. and Tia. an
cherished hoPe' Of peace were unobtsipable,