The Constitutional. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1860-1861, 1861-02-23
PRESIDENT DAViS'S
IN Address.

Called TO the difficult and responsible
station Of Chief Magistrate of the Provis-
| ional Government, which you have institu-
ted, approach the discharge of the duties
assigned to me with humble distrust of my
abilities, but with a 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 estab-
lishmcnt of permanent Government to
take the place of this, which, 10y it's great
er moral and physical power, will be bet
ter able to combat with many difficulties
that arise from the conflicting interests of
separate nations, enter upon the duties of
the office to which | have been chosen,
with the hope that the beginning of our
career, as a confederacy, may not be OBJ
structed by hostile opposition to our enjoy
ment of the separate existence and indie
prndcncc we have asserted, and which, with
the blessing of Providence, we will contend
! for and maintain.
Our present political position has been
achieved in manner unprecedented in the
history of nations. 1t illustrates the Am
crican idea that governments rest upon the
consent Of the governed, and that it is the
right Of the people to alter or abolish them
at will, whenever they become destructive
of the ends for which they were establish
ed
TIE declared purpose Of the compact of
the United States, from which we have
withdrawn, was 10 establish justice, in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 posicrity," aud now,
when i'll the judgment of the sovereign
States composing this Colfcdcracy, it has
been perverted from thepurpoaes for which
! it was ordained, and ceased TO answer the
ends for which it was established, peace
full appeal to the haliot-box has declared
that, So far as they are concerned, the Gov
ernlncnt created by that compact should
cease to exist.
! In this they have merely asserted the
right which the Declaration of Indepcn-
dencc, july 4th, l776, defined TO be o'ina-
licnable." OF the time and OCCASION for
its assertion and exercise, they, as sovrr-
cigns, were the final judges, each for it.
self
The impartial and enlightened verdict
Of mankind will indicate the rcclitudc of
Our conduct, and He, who knows all hearts,
viii judge "fthc sincerity with which we
have labored to preserve the Government
OF our fathers i'll lis spirit.
The right, solemnly proclaimed at the
birth of the United States, and which has
been solcmnly affirmed and rcaflirned in
in the bills ofrights Of the States suh,c-
qucntly admitted into the mon of l1S9,
INCIDENTALLY recognized in the people Tie
pow,. to resume the authority delegated
10 it for the purposes Of government
BY this right the sovereign States, here
represented, have seeded from this Con
fcderacy, and it is an abuse cf language
! that their act has been dcnominatcd rcyo-
/ lulionary.
They have formed new alliance, but
within each State, its government has re-
manned the same, nor have the rights of
person or property been disturbed.
The agent, through which they commu-
nicated with foreign nations, is changed,
but this does not necessarily interrupt their
international relations.
Sustained by the consciousness that this
/ transition from the former Union to the
present Conlcdcracy has not proceeded
from disregard, on our Fart, Of just obi
CATIONS, or any failure to perform every
constitutional duty moved by 40 interest
or passion to invade the rights of others :;
and anxious to cultivate peace and com
nercc with all nations-if we may not
hope t" avoid war, we may at least expect
postrrity will acquit us from having need
!cssly made it,
Doubly justified, therefore, by the alb
scncc OF wrong on Or part, and by the
wanton aggression of others, there can Lc
no reason 10 honbt that the courage and
patriotism of the people of the Confederate
States of America will be found equal to
any measure of defence which their honor
and security will require.
An agricultural people, whose chief in
! tercst is the export Of commodities, rrlIir-
ed III every manufacturing country, our
trnc policy is peace and the frrccst trade
which our necessities will permit.
1t is alike our interest and that Of all
those to whom we would sell and from
whom we would buy, that there should be-
The tcwcst practicable restrictions upon the
Interchange Of these commodics.
There can, however, be but little rivalry
between our people and any other manu-
/ featuring community, such as those Of the
Northern aid Eastern States Of the Amer
lean Union.
1t must follow, therefore, that mutual IN
terr-ts will invite to good will and kind
ohic's Oh both parts.
If, however, passion or lust Of dominion,
should cloud th" Judgment or inEanc the
ambition of these States, we must prepare
to meet the emergency, and maintain, by
the final arbitrmncnt Of the sword, the po-
oition which We have Assumed amorg the
nations Of the earth.