Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1861-02-26
VOL. Is NO. 81.
Inauguration OF PrcsIdenfDa-
Montgomery, Peb. Is

south. There was IN immense crowd on
Capitol Hill, consisting off great array Of
the beauty, military aud citizens of the
different states. 81
MIR. Davis commenced at O'Clock. lie
said:
''Gentlcmen Of the Congress ortho Con.
federated States of America, friends and
iellew citizens: Called to the 4 lfieul, ard
responsible station Of Chief Executive Of
the Provisional Government which Won
have instituted. / approach the DISCHARGE
OF the duties assigned me with an humble
dis;rust Of my abilities. bat with sustain.
ing confidence in the wisdom of those who
are to guide and aid me ia the administra
ton Of public affairs, and an abiding faith
IN tae virtue and patriotism of the people
iooking forward h. the speedy establishment
OF a permanent government t. take the
place of this, and which. by its great moral
and physical power, viii he better able 70
combat with the many difficulties which
arise from the utlietinE interest nf seua-
rate nations. i enter upen the dntics #
the ONCE TO which have been chosen. with
The hope that the beginning Of cur career
as confederacy, may not be obsiructed Us
hostile opposition to our erjaymrut Il the
separate existence and independents. with
the blessing oil Providence which we have
asserted, and which with the blessing Of
Providence we intend to maintain. Oar
present CONDITION is achieved in u manner
W ?recedetted IN the history - ra.;, rs and
I illustrates tie American idea that govern
meats req UPON the cyusent Of the govern
ed, aud that i,is Tie right q the people 70
after ard Hte,ii-h governments ,vheuev.r
they 5esone destructive 10 the ef.ds ar
tgh tfsit
ed contract Cf the Union from which We
have Withdrawn was 10 establish Justice,
ensure domestic trar guilty, promote the
general welfare. and secure the blessing Of
liberty 70 ourselves and our posterity- and
when in the judgment of Tie SOVEREIGN
States now comprising this confederacy, II
has been perverted from the pur,ose Tor
which it was ordained, and cease to answer
the en- Is for which it was established. A
peaceful appeal to the ballot box declared
that 50 fa- as they were concerned the
| government created by that compact should
cease TO exist. In this :hey merely assert
| the right which the Declaration of indie
| pendenee Of lI76, defined TO be inalepabIe
! of the time Gnd occasion Of its exercise !.
/ they. as sOvereigns, were the final iudoes
each for itself. The impartial, enlighten-
ed verdict Of mankind will yindicate the
reciitude of our conduct, and He Win
knows .he hearts of men will Judge of the
sincerity with which We labored 10 preserve
the government Of our fathers in its spir
{ l..
The right soIemnly proclaimed at the
birth of the States, and which has been
/ affirmed and Returned in the bills of rights
/ Of the States subsequently admitted into
/ the Union Of 1889, INCIDENTALLY recognizes
/ IN the people the power 60 resume the an
thOrity delegated for the purpose Of gov
! ernment. Thus tie sovereign States here
represented proceeded to form this Confed
eracy, and il is by tie abuse Of language
that their act has been denomInated revolu
ton. They formed new alliance. bu,
within each State its government has been
retained. The rights of person and mon
erty have not been disturbed The agent
through whom they communicated with
foreign nations is changed. but this does
not necessarily interrupt their international
/ relations sustained be the consciousness
/ that the transition from the foreign Union
to the present Confederacy has not procee-
ced from disregard on our part Of cur
just obligations or any failure 10 perf,rm
every constitutional duty, moved by no
interest or passion to invade the rights Of
others, anxious to cultivate peace and cum
merce with all nations, If we NAV not hone
20 avoid war, we NAV at least exnect that
posterity will acquit US ofhaving needless
/ ly engaged IN It donbly just. insfified hy
the absence OF wrong on our part and by
wanton aggressIons ON the part Of others.
there can be no cause 10 doubt the courage
and patriotism 81 the people bf the cbffed-
crate States will be found equal to any
measures of defence which so,n their
security may require. An agricul-
tural people, whose chief interest Is tho
export # commodity required in every
manufacturing country, our true policy L.
peace and the freest which cur necessities
will permit. 1t is alike our interest. and
that of all those from whom we would luy
that there should be the fewcst rrac,icaL!e
restrictions upon the interchange Of com,
mocities. ..-f..
There can he bet little Nvalry between
ours and any manufacturing or navigation
community. such as the Pree States or the
American Union. IL must therefore fol-
low therefrom that mutual Interests would
invite good Will and kind q fEi .es. H. how
ever. passion or lust If dominion should
cloud the judgment or iufame the auhi.
IisB oi those States, We. raust prepare "a
mestthe emereeHcy- and maintain hy ,h,
final arbiirament Of the sword the 2. sjti. I
which We have assumed among the nation.
OF the earth.
We Eaye entered upon a carer OF indie
peu0enee which mu5i te infcxl biy pur.,,es
through many years If controversy. Bu
our late associates and northern States ma,
have vsinly endeavored to secure trsnouii
iiy and obtain respect for the rights I,
which we were entitled a. a necessity. no
choice. We have restored to the remed,
of a separation, and hencefurih our ener
gies must be directed to the condition o
our ewn affairs, aud the perpeturity of IN,
cOnfederacy which We have formed. If
just perception OF mutual interests shall
permit Us to pursue cur separate political
career, my most earnest desire will hay,
been fulfilled.
But If this be denied us, and the integri
ty Of our territory and Jurisdiction be ms
sailed, it wall lie for US. with firm resolve. I,
appeal to arms and invoke the blessing o
! Providence on just cause as a C. q seauenc
of cur new condition ;, aud with view Z
} meet anticipated wants, it will be necessa.
ry to provide speedy aud efficient organ
ization of the branches Of the Legislative
department, having special charge of for
eign intercourse, finance, military affairs
and postal service for purposes Of defence
The confederate States may, under ordina
ry circumstance. rely mainly upon thei
| militia but it is deemed advisable in tia
; present condition Of affairs, that Their
should be well instructed discipline,
/ army. more numerous than would be re
. quired on peace establishment.
! l also suggest that for the protection o
our harbors and commerce on the high seas
! a navy adequate to these objects, will b
; required. These necessities have. doubt
less, engaged the attention Of Congress
! with Constitution differing only from
! that Of cur Fathers, in 60 far as 1t is explain
, atory Of their well known intent and force
from thai sectional interpretation whicI