Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1861-02-22
Inaugural Address of Jeffer-
son Davis,

IVA A~sAf Ao'
The Inauguration Of Jefferson Davis as
! President OF the Southern Confedcracy took
place recently ard was IN de the occasion OF a
grand pageant. In his Inaugural ad trcss he
said -
enter upon the duties Of the Office to
which | have been chosen, with the hope
that the beginning Of our career as Il con-
contcdoracy may not be distracted by hos
tile opposition to our enjoyment and separ-
ate cxistance in the independence which we
have asserted, and with the all of Divine
/ Providence intend to maintain Our pres
ent condition has been achieved in a manner
Unprecedented in the history Of nations, and
illustrates the American idea that govern
ment rests upon the penple-r'sts upon the
consent OF the governed, aud that it is the
right OF the people to alter and abolish GOV
! crnmcats whenever they become destructive
to the ends for which they were established.
1 The compact Of the Union from which we
have withdrawn. was II establish Justice, in
sure domestic tranquility, provide for the
common defence. promote the general well
fare and secure the blessings of liberty to
ourselves and our pJsterity, and when in the
Judgment of the sovereign States now com
posing the contederacy, it has been perverted
from the purpose Tor which it was ordained,
and ceased to answer the ends for which it
has been established, a peaceful appeal to the
ballot box declared that, 50 far as they were
concerned, the government created under
that compact should cease to exist. In this
they have asserted the right which
the Declaration Of Independence of l756
defined to be inalicnabc. OF the time and
occasion of the execution of this right. they
as soyereigns, were the trial Judges, each Tor
itself. Toe impartial and enlightened YER
diet of mankind will vindicate the recttude
Of cur conduct, and He who knowcth the
hearts of men will Judge of the sincerity
with which We labored to preserve the gov
eminent OF our fathers in its spirit The
rights of the States solcmnlv proclaimed at
the birth of the United States, and which
has been affirmed and re affirmed in the bills
of rights of the States subsequently admit
ted to the Union of l7S9, Gndenilby recog-
nizeS in the people the power to resume the
authority delegated for the purpose of gov
crnmcnt. Thus the sovereign States here
represented proceeded to form this confeicr-
acy, and it Is by an abuse Of Language that
their act has been denominatcd revolutionary.
We have entered upon a career OF indspen
dencc which must be inilexihlv pursued
through many yetrs of controversy with our
late associates Of the Northern States, We
have merely endcayored to secure tranqnil-
ty ard obtain respect for the rights t. which
we were entitled as matter OF necessity and
not choice. We have resorted to the remedy
of separation, and hcncetorth our energies
must be directed to conduct our own aHtirs.
and promote the perpetuity of the confadera-
cy we have formed. fla Just perception Of
mutual interests shall permit us peacefully to
pursue our separate political careers, my
earnest desire will have been fulfilled; bat it
this lie denied us, the integrity of our teri
.nry and jurisdiction be assaulted, it will but
remain FOR Us, with firm resolve, to appeal
10 arms. anu invoke the blessing OF PIoyi-
dence upon Just cause. As u consequence
Of our new condition an with view 10
meet anticipated wants. Ii will 70 necessary
to provide for the speedy and eihClent organ
ization OF the branches Of the Executive dc
partments, having special charge Of r-isn
intercoursc-Finance, Military affairs and
Postal service. For purposes Of defence the
Confederate States may, under ordinary cir
cumstanees, rely mainly upon their militia
but il is deemed advisable under the present
condition of affairs, that there should be
well instructed and disciplined army more
numerous than would usually be required in
peace establishment.
l also suggest that for the protection Of
our harbors, and commerce on the ligh seas.
a navy adapted 70 those objects is requisite
These necessities have doubtless engaged
the attention OF Congress. With a constitu-
ton differing only from that Of our fathers
% far as it IS explanatory OF their well known
int mt and tre Il from the sectional conflicts
which interfcrei with the pursuit OF the zen
eral warfare it is not unnatural to expect
that States from which we have recently par
ted may seek 10 unite their fortunes with
ours, under the government which we have
instituted for this your constitution makes
adequate provisions.