Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-02-19


MONTGOMERY, Ala, February l8-The
inaugural ceremonies to day were the grand
est pageant ever witnessed In the South.
There was an immense crowd on Capitol
Hill, consisting of great array of the
beauty, military and citizens of the different
States.
Mr.. Davis commenced at one o'clock. He
said: Gentlemen of the Congress of the
Confederate States of America, friends and
fellow citizens: Called to the difficult and
responsible station of Chief Executive of the
Provisional Government which you have
instituted, approach the discharge of the
duties assigned me with an humble distrust
of my abilities, but with sustaining conf
dence of 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 establishment of a
permanent Government to take the place Of
this, and which, by its greater moral and
physical power, win be better able to combat
with the, many difficulties which arise from
the conflicting interests of separate nations.
enter upon the duties of this Office, to
which | have been chosen, with the hope
that the beginning of our career as a Con-
federacy may not be obstructed by hostile
opposition to our enjoyment of a separate
existence and independence. With the
blessing of Providence we have asserted
and with the blessing of Providence we in
tend to maintain our present condition,
achieved in a manner unprecedented in the
history of nations. 1t illustrates the Amer
ican idea that Governments rest upon the
consent of the governed. and that 1t is the
right Of the people to alter and abolish Gov.
ernments whenever they become destructive
to the ends for which they were established.
The declared compact of the Union from
which we have Withdrawn to establish Just
ice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for
the common defense, promote the general
| welfare and secure the blessings of liberty
| to ourselves and our posteTity, and when, in
| the judgment of the sovereign States COM
prisiDg this COnfederacy, il has been per-
/ verted from the purposes for which il W as
| ordained, and ceased to answer the ends for
which it was established
A peaceful appeal to the ballOt-box de.
claTed 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 fndepend-
ence of l776 defined to be inalienable; of the
time and occasion of its exercise they, as
soyereiRns, were the final Judges, each for
ITSELF The impartial, 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.
The right solemnly proclaimed at the birth
of the Ststes, and which has been affirHAsd
| and reaffrmed in the bills of rights of ths
| States subsequently admitted into the U aiOr
| Of 1856 undeniAbly recognizes in the paoDlt
the power to resume the authority delegated
for the purpose OF government. TIE SOW.
ereign State here represented proceeded Il
form this Contederacy, and it is by the abasl
Of language that their act has been demon