The Texas Republican. [volume] (Marshall, Tex.) 1849-1869, 1861-05-11
MESSAGE OF PRESIDENT DAVIS.


ell Cobb, Of Georgia, President, in the
chair.
After the usual prcimnarics Of organ.
ization had been gone through with, the
following message Of his Excellcncy,
Jefferson Davis, President Of the Confcd-
crate States Of America, was received
and read
Gentlemen Of Congress 1T is my pleas.
ing duty to announce 10 yon that the
Constitution framed .or the establish
ment Of permanent Government Of the
Confederate States Of America, has been
ratified by the several conventions Of
each Of those States which we're referred
10 to nauguratc the said Government in
it's full proportions and upon it's own
substantial basis Of the popular will.
1t only remains tina, elections SHOULD
be held for the designation Of the officers
to administer it..
There is every reason 10 believe that
at no distan. day other States identified
in political principles and community OF
interests with those which we represent,
will join this Coniederacy, giving to it's
typical constellation increased splendor
to its government of free, equal and
sovereign States, a wider sphere Of use.
fitness. and to the friends Of constitu-
tionai liberty greater security for its
harmonious and perpetual existence.
II was not, however for the purpose
Of making this announcement that have
deemed it my duty to convoke you at an
earlier day than that fixed 10y yourselves
for your meeting.
The declaration of war made against
this Conicdcracy, by Abraham Lincoln,
President Of the United States, in his
proclamation, issued on the 18th day Of
the present month, renders il necessary
in my judgement, that you should con
venc at the earliest practicable moment
to devise the measures necessary for the
defence Of the country
The occasion is, indeed, an cxtraordi.
nary one. 1t iustiics me in giving a
brief review of the relations heretofore
existing between us and the States which
now unite in warfare against us, and a
succinct statement Of the events which
have resulted, to the end that mankind
may pass intelligent and impartial iudg-
inent on its motives and objects.
During the war waged against Great
Britain by her colonies On this continent,
a common danger impelled them to the
formation OF Confederation hy the
terms Of which the colonies, styling
themselves States, entered revsrally in
10 firm league of friendship with each
curi,y Of their liberties, and their mutual
and general welfare, binding themselves
10 assist each other agains, all force OF.
fercd to, or attacks made on them, OF any
Of them on account Of religion, sover
eighty, trade, or any other pretence what
ever.
In order to guard against any miscon-
strucion of their compact, the several
States made an explicit declaration in
distinct article---that each state retain
its sovereignty, freedom, and lndepen'
donce, and every power Of jurisdiction
and right which is not by this said Con
federation expressly delegated TO the
United States IN Congress assembled UNI
der this contract Of alliance.
The war Of the Revolution was sac
ccssfully waged. and resulted in the
treaty Of peace with great Britain in
l7s3, by the terms Of which the several
States were each by name recognized II
be independent.
The articles Of Confederation contained
a clause whereby all alterations were
prohibited, unless confirmed hy the Leg.
islaiures Of every State after iring
agreed to by the Congress. and in obedi-
cncc to this provision, under the re-o'n.
ton of Congress Of the 2lst OF Fehfna.
nv. ITsT. the several States appointed
delegates for the purpose Of revising the
articles of confederation, and reported
TO Congress and the several Legislatures
such alterations and provisions therein
as shall when agreed TO in Congress,
and confirmed by the States, render the
Federal constitution adequate to Tie ext
gcncics OF the Government, and the pres
cryation Of the Union.
1t was by the delegates chosen by the
several States under the resolution Just
quoted. that the constitution oi the NJ
ted States was formed in lIs1. aud sub
mi,led to the several states iot rafliica'
ton, as shown by the seventh article,
which is in these words "Thc ra'iiiea'
lion of the conventions Of nine States
shall be sufficient Coz the establishment
Of this constitution between the States
so rs,itying the same" 1
! have italicisea certain words in the
resolutions Just made, for thc purpose OF
attracting attention TO the singular aud
marked caution with which the States
cndoavored, in every possible form, toeS'
cludc the idea that the separate and 10
dependent sovereignty Of each State was
merged into enc common Government OF
nation and tho earnest desire they
cyincea to Impress ON the constitution
It's true character Of a compact be-
tween independent States the cons'isn
ton OF l1sI however. admitting the clause
already recitcd from the articles oil con
federation, which provided IN explicit
terms that each State retained Its SOW
crcign,y and independence.
Some alarm was Eel, in the States.
when invited to ratity the constitution,
lest this omission should te consir1e
into an abandonment of their cherished
principles, aud they refused to he salts
lied until amendments were added to the
constitution. placing beyond any pre-
tepce Of doubt the reservation by the
states Of their sovereign rights aud pow
era not expressly delegated to the ln''ed
States by the constitution,
/ Strange indeed must il appear to the
impartial observer, but 1t is none the Icss