The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-05
THE MESSAGE OF JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Argnmsn nj I'm Defsnca Of the Right Of
Secession.
the SLAVERY QUESTION DISCUSSED.
Plans and Prospects Of the RevO-
4 lutiORists,

q Z gratifying scene to notice the cordial greet
20 shaking OF hands, the pleasant smiles and
demonstrations OF welcome which were inter-
auopg the members they met this morning
Poogress bail. An unusual number OF strangers
kzens were present, and in the ball and gallery
Ecro many ladies.
At twelve O'Clock the President of Congress tho Hon
Howell Cobb took his chair, and the Rev Basil Marley
offered a ferycnt invocation tho Throne Of Grace
Tho PRESIDENT then called Congress 10 ORDER and stated
that they had been assembled at this time By procama
ton from the President.
The arst business In order the call OF tho roll aud
few names were called which not responded to.
The PsisIDESr stated that quorum was present and
that Cougrcsa now ready to transact business
Mr., TMksR, 81 Alabama, stated that there were two
new members present from his state who had nor bean
oualiGed and moved TINT they have opportunity
Of doing So He referred to hessrs. IL c. Jones and
Mich DAVIS Jr who had been elected TO I'LL the v,can
cies created by the designations OF Mcssrs David r. Lew
IL and Thomas Foavre
Mr. ooaurkrr, Of Texas said that Mr., Louis Wigfail
was preeort and he had not been qualified.
Mr. CLAYTON, of Mississippi announced that Hr. J. A.
orr (ihe successor Of Mr.. VS.. Wilson, also
sent moved that all these gentlemen be requested by
tho President TO come forward and be qualified.
Aessrs Davis Jones, wgfal and orr came forward
took the oath and subscribed to tho constitution.
Mr. I. & r. Com, of Georgia, said that as quorum
was present. tho Congress had been convened by the
proainstion OF the President he moved that commit
toe of be appointed to wait on the President and
him that Congress now ready TO receive any
oommuUic ten from him.
The PgrsnKsT appointed Mesars. 7. r. r. Cobb, james
onesuu, r and John Perkins, Jr that committee Tho
committee retired, and in few minutes returned and
stated that the rrcsiden; would, in Tow minutes com
mun.cate in writing 10 Congress.
MFR r Corp oiIercdthe following resolution, which
adopted:-
Resolved, by the Confederate States OF America, rhn
the Secretary Of Congress be authorized to appoint
asssts.t In the place Of A. b. Chera Esq resigned.
The pRxIpKST presented to Congress tho annexed
munlcstou from portion Of the people Of New hexi
NrsI1IA March 49, 1881
70 the Bon Howell Corn, President OF the Congress OF
the Confederate states OF America
SR-In pursuance of resolution adopted Mt eonyen-
ton Of ctzens OF that portion OF Now Mexico known
as Ar.zona held this place the 10th lust, have
the herewith to transmit the enclosed preamble
resolutions unanimously adopted with the hope aud
request that will lay them before the Congress of the
Confederate States OF America for their consideration
Signed by the President ana Secretary.
On motion OF Mr. CHxNUT the reading OF the preamble
and resolutions referred poeponod for the present
and the communication referred to the Committee
on Territories.
rr-4.-s--~ rcxnr, requested 70 prescott % Con
ercfs comm from she Governor OF the Terri
tory VI Ailona In trsusmistLg copy OF tie provi'
ua constitution with ho request that II be presented
70 Congress The communication was received and re-
ferred 10 tic Territorial Committee
Mr. JosraYx the Presidents private Secretary then
,ppear.d 10 the hall ard stated that BE- Ind message
from ne President with accompanying documents.
u, w-grRs mkoi the qucstion whetnor there was
ANYTHING in the message that should prevent ia being
resd In public session.
Mr. TooNis replied that there vas pot
The message was then rcaA II v,ry distinct tone by
Mr.. Dickson
MESSAGE OF JEFFERSON DAVIS
lie NV pleas ng duly 70 announces - You that the
constitution framed fo the establishment o. permanent
government Tor the Confederate states has been ratified
by conventions il each OF those States - which u was
referred 10 uaugurate the government y ~ iul pro
portions and upon subltAtiA Ots5 OF tue p0pun
will IL Cniy remains that Cectons sholtl be held Tor she
designation o. the ofloeIs TO administer u
There every rcalon 70 believe th At 40 distant day
other states Identified in political principles and comml
nifty Of interests with tn SO which you represent VIII
on this ooneGeracy; giving 70 It's ypcll cotstoation
increased splendorto us goyor0mnI ot iree elul ana
sovereign states WIDER sphere Of eulnee5and 70 the
friends q constitutional liberty greater security fcr ~
harmonious and perpetual existence ,,,,
nounoomtut that have deemed u my daty 70 clayase
you At an earlier day than that Gxed by yourselves Tor
your moo og The declaration OF war made aga!us. this
confederzoy by Abraham Lincoln tbs PrCsd Ut OF the
United statce In hs proclaim alton gsuod on The fifteenth
lay Of the present month"; rendered II necessary IN my
Judgment you should convene at the earliest pfact
esbe moment 20 eyse the measures necessary for the
The eoca.icE ia indeed extraordinary one u inst
nes In brief review 0f the relations hsret2,oro exist
ing between us and tho states watch unite in war
fare agust US succlnct statement Of tbs events
which have resulted in ths warfare to the emu hat m
kind may pass intelligent and impHAh JtlSnsht On US
motives aud Objects.
During the war waged against Great Britain by her
cOones on this continent common danger implied
them TO close alliance and 70 tho iorinAt9n q o,n
federation by the terms Of which tho cnlonica styling
LENSES sses n o,bc- Ear thsir efcnSs
the security Ct their liberties, aud their mutual ana
general welfare, binding thomsclscst " as.s. ~ % othr
sganst AL force offered 70 or attacks mae upln en or
any OF Lnom account OF religion, sovereignty UAe or
any other protence whatever.'
Ia order 70 guard against any DEMONSTRATION o. thslr
compact tho several states made explicit doillrs on in
dstnot article that "eaeh state raiHs Is spyeTcgn,y,
freedom and ude pcndencc, aud every power iur8cOn
and right which Is by this Confederation trpra1y
deLe9ated to the United states In Congress assembled
uon sas successfully waged, aud resulted the treaty Of
peace with Great Britain in 1853 by the terms u WITCH
the sevors States WERE each by name re1osn4d TO 90
lndepencout
The articles or confederation clause whorcsy
all alterations were prohibei unless ooaaImei by tho
Legislatures OF eyory state after being agreed 70 by tho
Congress and in obedience 20 this provision un1ar tho
resouon 4 Congress Of the 2ist o. February 1851 tho
sevsl states appointed delegates who atten led COZ
yeuyon "F0g the sole and cg7es purosc o. revising the
articles of cOniederaton ma reporting W C9ngcc7s ani
the seyerrl legislatures such alterations Rrd prov -ous
therein ehR when agretdto in Congress daf coneraf
u ne Sc,S, reader the federal constitution aIeQuse
tho Unou
II was by the delegates chosen by the several states
Vnoef tn0 teschNJn sNl'l "
tho Unted states waa framed IN 1851, and Hiomted u
tho several Sstce for ratification, Shown Wy tn
reyeuth article, which s IN these words
TIE ratification ~ tho Coprsntlohg " asns 81 IRE
sha be eufc'eu, Tor tho establishment Of s ojnspIa
tIon between he STATES % rat fy1g tho sanc."
have iteliciset certain words "a ths ucttnng gt
made tor The porp - y attracting attention. :, %, STA
gulAr and marked Cipttn With watch the sttes c1let
vored, In every possible form 20 exclude tho isa that
the sepsrste and ndopondeut sovereignty 81 cGh ts
wss mofgcU INTO one common gnvernncA, NJ uuir
nd tho earnest dos thcy evncad 20 imrreal On tne
constitution its tne charagter-that Of Compel ~.
tween inGr pendent SlatCs
The coos utiou ~ 1877 hayug how -ct orll.toI ths
oalae ar4sdY rece1 rQn hs Articles o c0nfo TO- Ion
which provided II explicit terms, thai c5tl st,oreaa
M aoy8-'ignty Nnd in1epan1euce. Hl.ao alarm WA
ieIt ~ e St.tcs " % ugtet - r3 ~ t constitution
ie5t bs 9ntslNu should D. cynateat1 .t FL asa3-0p.