Shreveport daily news., 1861-05-10
Message GE President Davis.

I'1S1''o uiiaSl INC CoiIStut ionIi compact. .
The Democratic party Of the t.
States repeated in its successful can
vass i'll 1886, the deduction made in
numerous previous political contests,
that it would faithfully abide by and
uphold the principles laid down in
the kentucky and Virginia Legisla-
lures in 1899, and that it adopts those
principles rs constituting one Of the
main foundations Of its political creed.
The principles thus ernphatically
ANNOUNCED embrace that to which |
have already adverted-the right of
each State to judge OF and redress the
wrongs Of which it complains. Their
principles were maintained by over
whcirning ma"rities Of the people Of
all the States Of the Union at differ
ent elections, especially in the election
Of Mr.. jefferson in 1905, Mr.. Madi-
son in 1909 and Mr.. Pierce in 1852.
In the exercise of a right so ancient,
So well established and so necessary
for se]f-preservatlon, the people OF the
! confederate States III their conven-
ti"ns determined that the wrongs
which they had suffered and the evils
with winch they We're menaccd, re-
qHircd th:tt they should revoke the
delegation Of powers to the Federal
Government which they had ratified
in their several conventions. They
consequently passed ordinances re-
sumlng all their rights as sovereign
| and Independent States, and dissolved
! their connection with the other STATE 5
Of the Union. Having done this,
they proceeded 20 form Il new com
| pact amongst themselves by new AZ
tic!es Of confederation which have
been also ratified by conventions of
the several States, with an approach
to uraniulity far exceeding that Of
| ;ltc conventions which adopted the
constitutions Of 1877. They have
organised their new Government in
al its departments. The tunctions
"f The Executive, Legislative and
Judicial magistrates are performed in
accordance with the viii of the peo-
pie. as displayed not merely in Il
cheeUnI ac4ulesence, bat, III the en-
.huslastic support of the Government
!ns established by themselves. and
Dut for the Interference OF the Gov
crnurnt Of the United States, this
legitimate exercise of;i people to self
government has been manifested in
every possible torln
Scarce had you assembled in Feb
ruary last. "hrn, prior even to the
Inauguration Of the Chief Magistrate
you had elected, whereby vouexprcss-
Cd .your desire for the appointment Of
commissioners and for the settleln.n:
ot' al! questions Of disagreement be-
tween Two Governments, upon prin-
cipl"s OF right. justice and equity
and good faiIh.
1t WAS my pleasure as well as my
duty to cooperate with you in this
work OF peace. Indeed, III my adj
oress to YOU ON taking the oath OF
office, and before receiving from YOU
the communication Of this resolution, |
| had said that "as Il necessity, not
rs Il choice, We have rcsorted 10 the |
remedy Of separating, and hcncetorth |
our euergies must be directed to the /
conduct of our own affairs and the |
porpetuity OF the coni.ocracy which !
we have formed. fla .jusi perception
of mutual interest shall permit us to
peaceably pursue our separate poiiti-
icai career, my most earncst desire
VIII thcn have been tulflled.'
1t was in tuwtherance Of these ac-
cordant views OF the Congress and |
the Executive, that | made choice
Of three discreet. able and d distinguish-
ed citizens, who repaired to Wash
ington. Aided by their cordial co.
operation and that of the Secretary !
OF State, every effort compatible with |
selt.respect and the dignity OF the
Contcderacy WAS exhausted before |
allowed .inysetf to Weld to the con-