The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1861-03-06

| ..T.. . .H' ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
WASHINGTON, March 4, 1851.
| ."F -
inaugural Address OF Hon. JeGer-
- SON Davis. #.E III
The following is the address of Hon. Jeffer
son Davis on being inaugurated President Of
the new Republic:- ..
Gentlemen Of the Congress .ofAte Contederated
States Of Amaica:- .....-.r
Friends and fellow citizens: Called to the
difficult and responsible station of chief execu-
tive OF the provisional government which you
have instituted, approach the discharge of the
duties assigned me with an humble distrust of
my abilities, but with sustaining confidence in
the wisdom Of those who are to guide and aid
me in the administration of public affairs, and
an abiding faith in the virtue and patriotism OF
the people. Looking forward to the speedy es
ablishment of permanent government, to
take the place Of this, and which, by its greater
moral and physical power, will be better able
to combat with the many difficulties which a
rise from the conflicting interests Of several ma
tions, | enter upon the duties of the office to
which have been chosen with the hope that
the beginning Of our career as a coniederacy,
may not be obstructed by any hostile opposi-
ticn to our enjoyment OF the separate existence
with the blessings OF Providence, intend to
maintain "."
Our present condition. achieved in a manner
unprecedented in the history Of nations, illus
trates the American idea that governments rest
upon the consent Of the governed, and that it
Is the right OF the people to alter and abolish
gov, rnments whenever they become des ructiye
Of the ends for which they were established -
hn If ha Of tho
Union for which we have withdrawn was to
establish justice, insure tranquility, provide for
the common defence, promote the general well
fare, secure the blessings of libertyite ourselves
and our posterity, and when, in the judgment of
the sovereign States now composing the .confed-
acy, it has been prevented from the purposes
!, for which it was ordained, and ceased to answer
the ends for which it was established, peace
/ fuf appeal to the ballot box declared that, so
, far as they were concerned, the government
created by that compact should cease to exist,
J In this they merely asserted the right which
, the Declaration of Independence of l776 defin
ed to be inalienable., at I" @
OF the time and occasion for its exercise,
, they, as sovereigns, were the final judges each
for ITSELF The impartial and enlightened ver-
, dict Of mankind will vindicate the rectitude OF
our conduct, ana He who knows the hearts oil
men will judge for the sincerity with which we
labored to preserve the government of our
) fathers in its spirit. The right solmenly pro-
, claimed at the birth of the States, and which
has been affirmed and re- affirmed in the bills OF
rights Of the States subsequently admitted into
, the Union Of 1889. undeniably recognize in the
people Of the power to resume the authority
; delegated for the purpose ofgovernment. Thus,
, the sovereign States here represented proceeded
, to form this conederacy; and it is by the abuse
Y oflanguage that their act has been denominated
: revolution. They formed a new alliance, but
5 within each State its government has renamed
the rights of person and property have not
been disturbed. "The agent through whom
5 they communicated with foreign nations is
changed, but this does not necessarily interrupt
: their international relations
r Sustained by consciousness that our transi-
ton from the former Union to the present Con-
. federacy has not proceeded from any disregard
on our part Of our just obligations, or any fail
= ure to perform every constitutional duty; moved
D by no interest of passion to invade the rights Of
3 others; anxious to cultivate peace and commerce
with the nations; if we may not hope to avoid
] var, we may at least expect that posperity will
acquit us Of having needlessly engaged in it,
Doubly justified by the absence of wrong on
Of Others, there can be no cause of doubt that
the courage and patriotism OF the people Of the
, confederated States will be found equal to any
measures OF defence which soon our security
may require. @
;, All agricultural people--whose chief interest
is the export of q commodity required in every
: manufacturing country--our true policy is peace
and the Ireest trade which our necessities will
permit 1t is alike our interest as the inter
est OF those to whom we wodld sell, and from
whom We would buy, that there should be the
ewest possible restrictions upon the interchange
OF commodities There can be but little rival
ry between our and any manufacturing or navi-
gating community, such as the Northeastern
States ofthe Union. II must follow, therefore
that mutual interest would invite good will and
kind officers. II, however, passion or lust o
dominion should cloud the judgment orinfamt
the ambition Of those States we must prepare
to meet the emergency, and maintain, by ths
final arbitrament OF the sword, that position
which we have assumed among the nation oi
I the earth. r'
Il We have entered upon career OF indepen
dence which mush be infexibly pursued.---
Through the many years Of controversy we
|, have had With our late associates the Northern
States, have vainly endeayored to secure tran.
auity and obtain respect for the rights 10 which
we were entitled. As necessity and not from
choice, we have resorted to the remedy Of sep.
! aration, and hence6rtb, our energies must b.
} directed to the conducting of our own affairs
and the perpetuity of the confederacy which
we have formed. Ifa just perception Of mutuai
interest shall permit us peaceably to pursue oul
seperate political career, my most earnest desire
viii have been fulfilled; but n thissbe denied
us, and the integrity Of our territorial iurisiic.
Il ton be assaiied, twill but remain for Is, with
d q firm resolve, to appeal to our arms, and in,
{ woke the blessing Of Providence la . Just cause
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