The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-02-22

people to alter and abolish governments
whenever they become destructive to the
ends for which they were established. The
declared compact of the Union, from which
we have withdrawn, was to establish justice,
ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the
common defence, promote the general well
fare, and secure the blessings Of liberty to-
ourselves and our posterity, and when in
the judgment of the sovereign states now
comprising this confederacy, it has been
perverted from the. purposes for which il
was ordained, and ceased to answer the
ends for which it was established, q
peaceful appeal to the ballot box
declared that so far as they were concerned,
the government created by that compact
should cease to exist. In this they merely,
asserted the right which the Declaration of
Independence Of 1776 defined to be inalien.'
able. OF the time and occasion of its ex-'
ercise, they 1.-THE states) as sovereigns, were
the final judges, each for itself. The i'm
partial, enlightened verdict of mankind will
vindicate the rectitude Of our conduct, and
He who knows the hearts of men will Judge
of the sincerity with which we labored to
preserve the government Of our fathers in
its spirit. IL
The right, solemnly proclaimed at the
birth Of the original states, and which has
been affirmed and reafirmed in the bills Of
rights Of the states subsequently admitted
into the unionsof 1889, undeniably recogni-
ses in the people the power to resume the
authority delegated for the purpose of goy-
eminent. Thus the sovereign states here
represented proceeded to form this coDfedef-
acy, and it is by the abuse of languagethat
their act has been denominated revolution.
They formed new alliance, but then in
each state it's government has been retained.
Rights Of property have not been disturbed.
The agent through whom they communities
ted with foreign nations is changed, but this
does not necessarily interrupt their interna-
tional relations. Sustained by the conscious
ness that the transition from the former
Union to the present confederacy has not
proceeded from disregard on our part Of
our just obligations, or any failure to per-
form every constitutional duty--moved by
no interest or passion to invade the rights
of others anxious to cultivate peace and
commerce with all nations-if we may not
hope to avoid war, we may at least expect
that posterity will acquit us of having need
lessly 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 people of the
confederated states will be found eqal to any
measures of defence which their security
may require. l A2
An agricultural people, whose chief in-
terest is the export of commodity re-
quired In every manufacturing country,
our true policy is peace, and the most free
commerce which our necessities will permit.
1t is alike our interest, and that of all those
from whom we would buy, that there should
be the fewest practicable restrictions upon
the interchange Of commodities. There
can be but little rivalry between ours and
any manufacturing or navigating comma,
nifty, such as the free states of the American
Union. 1t must therefore follow therefrOm,
that mutual interest would invite good will
and kind Offices. If, however, passion or
lust of dominion should cloud the judgment,
or infame the ambition of those states, we
must prepare to meet the emergency and
maintain by the final arbitrament of the
sword, the positions which we have assumed
among the nations of the earth. We
have entered upon q career of indepen-
dence which must be iuaexiby pur-
sued. Through many years Of contro-
versy our late associates. and northern
states may have vainly endeavored to secure
tranquility and obtain respect for the rights
to which we were entitled. AS necessity,
not choice, we have resorted to the RENE.
dy of separation, and henceforth our
energies must be directed to the condition
OF our affairs, and the perpetuity OF the con-
federacy which we have formed Il just
recognition of mutual interests shall permit
us peaceably to pursue our separate politi-
cal career, my most earnest desire will have
been fulfilled, but if this be denied us, and
the integrity Of our territory and jurisdiction
be assaulted, it will but remain for us, with
affirm resolve to appeal to arms and invoke
the blessing Of Providence on a just cause
AS . consequence of our new condition,
and wi b view to meet anticipated wants,
it will be necessary to provide speedy and
efficient organization Of the branches Of the
exeGptive department, having special charge
of foreign intercourse, finance, military
affairs, and postal service. For purposes
of defence, the confederate states NAV under
ordinary circumstances rely mainly upon
their militia, but it il deemed advisable, il
the present condition of affairs, that there
chonld he a we'll insfr,c4oa <a;.x;, 49, .-..A 81