Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-02-22


to be inalienabie; of tbe time and occasion
for its exercise, thew, as sovereigns, were the
final judges, each for itself. The impartial
aud enlightened verdict of mankind will vim
dictate the rectitude of cur conduct and He
who knows the hearts of men will Judge of
the sincerity with which We labored to pre-
serve the government of cur fathers in its
spirit The right soieninly proclaimed al the
birth of the States. and which has been
affirmed and re-afirmed in the Bills of Rights
of States subsequently, admitted into the
Union of 1889, undeniably recognize, in the
people, the power to resume the authority
delegated for the purposes Of government
Thus the Sovereign States here represented
proceeded to form this Confederaey. and it is
by abuse of language that their act has been
denominated revolution. They formed a
new alliance, but within each State its gov.
ernment has remained, the rights of person
aud property have not been disturbed. TIE
agent through whom they communicated
with foreign nations is changed, but this does
not necessarily interrupt their International
relations.
Sustained by the consciousness that the
transition from the former Union to tn c pre-
sent Confederacy has not proceeded from a
disregard on our part of just obligations, or
any failure to perform every constitutional
duty-moved by no interest or passion to in
.vate peace and commerce with all nations, If
we may not hope 10 avoid war, we may at
least expect that posterity will aequit US of
having aeedlessly engaged in it. Doubly
justified by the absence of wrong on our
part, and by wanton aggression on the part
Of others, there can be no cause to doubt
that the courage and patriotism of the peo-
pie of the Confederate States will be found
equal to any measures of defence which hon
or and security may require.
An agricultural people-whose chief in
terest is the export of a commodity required
in every manufacturing couniry--our true
policy is peace. and the freest 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 fewest practicable
restrictions upon the interchange of commo-
dities. There can be but little rivalry be-
tween ours and any manufacturing or navi-
eating community, such as the Northeastern
States of the American Union. 1t must fol-
low, therefore. that mutual interest would
invite good will and kind offices. IT, how
ever. passion or the lust of dominion should
cloud the judgment or infame the ambition
of those States, we must prepare to meet the
emergency aud to maintain, by the final abit-
rament of the sword, the position which we
have assumed among the nations of the
earth. We have entered upon the career of
independence, and it must be iufexibly pur-
sued. Through many years of controversy,
with our late associates, the Northern States,
we have vainly endeavored to secure tram
guilty, and to obtain respect for the rights
to which we were entitled. As necessity, not
a choice, we have resorted to the remedy of
separation; and henceforth. our energies
must be directed to the conduct of our own
affairs, and the perpetuity of the Confedera-
cy which we have formed. If just percep-
ton of mutual interest shall permit us, pea
ceably to pursue our separate political ca
reer, my most earnest desire will have been
fulfilled. But, if this be denied to US, and
the integrity of our territory and jurisdiction
be assailed, it will but remain for US, with
firm resolve, to appeal to arms and invoke
the blessings of Providence on the just cause.
As a consequence of cur new condition,
and with view to meet anticipated wants, it
will be necessary to provide for the speedy
and efficient organization of branches of the
Executive Department. having special charge
of foreign intercourse, finance, military af
fairs, and the postal service.
For purposes of defence, the Confederate
States may, under ordinary circumstances,
rely mainly on their militia, but il is deemed
advisable, in the present condition of affairs,
that there should be a we'll instructed and
disciplined army, more numerous than would
usually be required on peace establishment.
l also suggest that for the protection of our
harbors and commetce On the high seas,
navy adapted to those objects will be re-
quired. These necessities have doubtless en-
gagged the attention OF Congress.
With Constitution differing only from
that of our fathers, in so far as it is explain
atory of their well known intent, freed from
the sectional conflicts which have interfered
with the pursuit of the general welfare, it is
not unreasonable to expect that States from
which we have recently parted may seek to
unite their fortunes with ours under the gov
ernment which we have instituted. For this
your constitution makes adequate provision;
bat beyond this, if / mistake not the jIdg-
ment and VIII of the people, reunion with
the States from which we have separated is
neither practicable nor desirable. To in
crease the power, develop the resources, and
promote the happiness of Confederacy, it
is requisite that there should be so much of
homogeniety that the welfare of every Dor
ton shall be the aim of the whole. Where
this does not exist, antagonisms are engen-
dered which must and should result in sepa.
ration.
-Actuated solely by the desire to preserve
our own rights and promote our own well
fare, the separation of the Co1fed crate States
has been marked by no aggression upon 9TH
ere, ard followed by no domestic conyul-
sion. Our industrial pursuits have received
no check-the cultivation of our fields has
progressed as heretofore-and even should
we be involved in war, there would be no
co nsiderable diminution in the production of
the staples which have constituted our ex-
ports, and in which the commercial world
has an interest scarcely less than our own.
This common interest of the producer and
consumer, can only be interrupted by an ex-
terror force, which should obsiruct its trans
mission to foreign markets. course of con-
duct which would be as unjust towards us as
It would be detrimental to manufacturing
and commercial interests abroad. Should
reason guide the action of the Government
from which we have separated, a policy so
detrimental to the civilized world, the North
ern States included, could not be dictated by
even the strongest desire to inf1ict injury up
On us; but otherwise, terrible responsible.
y will rest upon it, and the suffering of mil
ions will bear testimony to the folly and
of our aggressors. In the mean
lime, there will remain to US, besides the Or
iinary means before suggested, the well |
known resources for retaliation upon the |
of an enemy.
Experience in public stations, of surbordi- |
late grade to this which your kindness has |
conferred, has taught me that care and toll, |
md disappointment, are the price of official |
'leVatlon. on Will see many errors to for
give, many deficiencies to tolerate, but you |
hall not find in me either a want of zeal or |
idelity to the cause, that is to me highest in |
rope and of most enduring affection. Your |
generosity has bestowed upon nae an unde- |
served distinction one which 1 neither |
sought nor desired. Upon the continuance |
If that sentiment and upon your wisdom aud |
patriotism, rely to direct and support me |
n the performance of the duty required at |
ny hands.
We have changed the constituent parts, |
,ut not the system of our government. The |
ION stitutinn formed hy our fathers Is that If 1