The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1861-03-16

VTONluc SPECIFY anu elICleut OTBuUIL1'
ton of the branches Of the Executive
Department, having special charge Of for.
eign interests, finance. military affairs,
and postal service. For purposes Of de.
fense, the Confederate States, may, under
ordinary circumstances, rely mainly upon
their militia; but it is deemed advisable,
in the present condition of affairs, that
there should DC well instructed and dis
ciplincd army, more numerous than would
usually be required on n peace estab-
lishment.
! also suggest that for the protection
Of our harbors and commerce OIL the high
seas, navy, adequate to those objects,
will be required; the necessities have,
doubtless, engaged the attention Of Con-
gress. With a Constitution, differing
only from that d our fathers in 50 far as
il is explanatory Of their well known in.
tent, free from sectional conflicts which
have interfcred with the pursuit Of the
general welfare. II is not usual to ex-
pect that the States from which We have
recently parted, may seek to unite their
fortunes under the government we have
WIS NOIIStILutlOII IudkcS
adequate provision; but beyond this, if I
mistake not, the judgment and will Of the
people are, that Union with the States
from which they have separated, is
neither practicable nor desirable To in.
crease the power, develop the resources
and promote the happiness Of n Conicd.
eracy, it is requisite there should be so
much of hOmegcniture that the welfare
Of every person should be the aim Of the
whole; where this does not exist, antag-
onisTns are engcndered, which must and
should result in separation. Actuatcd
solely by desire to preserve our rights
and promote our own welfare, the Scpara-
ton Of the COnfederated States has been
marked by no aggression upon others,
and followed by no domestic convulsions z;
our industrial pursuits have received no
check.
The cultivation of our fields progresses
as heretofore, and even should We be in.
volved in war, there would be no consid-
cradle diminution in tho production Of
the staples which have constituted our
exports, in which the commercial world
has an interest scarcely less than our own
This common interest Of producer and
consumer can only be interrupted by an
exterior force, which should obstruct its
transmission to foreign ports-a course
Of conduct which would be detrimental
to the manufacturing and commercial in.
tercsts abroad. Should reason guide the
action Of the Government from which we
have departed, policy so detrimental to
the civilized world, the Northern States
included, could not be declared by even q
stronger desire to intlict injustice upon
us; but ir it be otherwise, terrible re-
sponsibility will rest upon it, and the suf.
fcrings Of millions will bear testimony to
the folly and wickedness Of our aggress.
Ors.
In the meantime, there will remain to
us, besides the ordinary remedies before
suggested, The well known resources for
retaliation upon the commerce of an
enemy.
Experience in public stations, ola sub.
ordinate grade to this, which your kind
ness has conferred, has taught INC that
care and trial and disappointment are the
price Of official elevation. You will see
many errors to forgive, many deficiencies
to tolerate; but you shall not find in me
either q want Of zeal or fidelity to the
cause that is to me the highest in hope
and most cndearing in affection. Your gen.
erosity has bestowed upon me an unde-
served distinction, which neither sought
nor desired. Upon continuance OF that
sentiment, upon your wisdom and patri-
otism, rely to direct aud support me in
the performance required at my hands.
We have changed the constituted parts,
but not the system, of our Government
The Constitution formed by our fathers
is that of these Confederate States. In
their exposition Of it, and in the judicial
construction it has received, We have O
light which reveals its true meaning.
Thus instructed as to the just intcrpreta'
ton Of that instrument, and ever remem
bering that all Offices are but trusts held
from the people, for the delegated powers
are to be strictly construed, will hope
by due diligence in the performance Of my
duties, though l may disappoint your cx
PectatiOns-yet to retain, when retiring
somcthing Of the good will and confidence
which welcome my entrance into Office.
II is joyous in the midst of periloul
times to look around upon people unitct
in heart, to have one purpose Of high rc
solves animate and actuate the whole
where the sacrifices to be made are mol
weighed in the balance against honor
right, liberty and equality. Obstacle,
may rctard, but they cannot long retain {
movement sanctioned by justice and sus
tained by virtuous people. Rcvcrently
let us invoke the God Of our Fathers t
guide, provide for and protect US, in ouI
efforts to perpctuatc the principles by
which, with His blessings, they were abl'
to vindicate and transmit to their poStcrity
with a continuance of His favor, eve
gratefully acknowledged, to success, t,
peace, and to prosperity.