Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1861-03-01

Geniemen Of hs COngress Of tas Confederate States
L% 1merica;
lLFRrrSps AND FELLow. .CIrizrSs;--Carsd to the
difficult ard responsible station Of Chief Executive
of the Provisional Government which you have in
stituted, approach the discharge Of the duties as
signed me with an tumble distrust Of my abilities
but with a sustaining confidence in the wisdom Of
those who are to guide and aid me in the admins
tration of public affairs and abiding faith in the
virtue and patriotism Of the people.
Looking forward to the speedy establishment Of
permanent government, to take the place Of this,
and which, by it's greater moral and physical power,
will be better able TO combat with the many diff
eutes which arise from the conflicting interests Of
separate nations enter upon the duties Of the Of
fee to which have been called with the hope that
the beginning of our career as Confederacy may
not be obstructed by hostile opposition to our enjoy
ment Of the separate existence and Independence,
which, with the blessing Of Providence, we have as
serted and which, with the the blessing Of Proyi-
dence, we intend to maintain.
lt Our present condition, achieved in manner un-
psecedented in the history of nations illustrates the
American idea that government rests upon the
consent of the governed aud that ii is the right Of
the people to alter and abolish governments when
ever they become destructive Of the ends for which
theyswere established The declared compact of
the Union from which we have withdrawn was ITO
establish Justice insure domestic tranquility, provide
for the common welfare, to promote the general
welfare, and secure the blessings OF liberty to our
selves and and our poserty and when in the judg-
ment of the sovereign States composing this Con-
fvderacy the Government Of the Union has been
perverted from the purposes for which il was or
dained and ceased to answer the ends for which 1t
was established, peaceful appeal to the ballot box
declared that SO far the confederate States were
concerned, the government created by that com
pact should cease 10 exist in this Confederacy
A. =. IL -. M.
tion of Independence of l776 defined to be "inal-
enable."
{ OF the time and occasion Of its exercise the Con-
fedeate States, soveregns were the final judges
each for ITSELF
The impartial enlightened verdict OF mankind
will vndicate the rectitude Of our conduct and He
who knows the hearts Of men will judge of the sim
cerity with which we labored to preserve the gov
ernment Of our fathers in its spirit.
also suggest that for the protection Of our har-
bors and commerce on the high seas, navy ade-
quate to these objects will be required These me-
cessties have doubtless engaged the attention OF
Congress with a Constitution differing only from
that of fathers in far as it is explanatory OF
of their well known nent--free from the sectional
conflicts which have interfered with the pursuit of
of the general welfare. 1t is natural to expect that
the States from which we have recently parted may
seek to unite their fortunes under the government
we have instituted. For this, your constitution
makes adequate provision. But beyond this, II
mistake not, the judgment and will of the peo-
, pie are that reunion with the States from which
, they have separated is neither practicable nor de-
srabe.
Our industrial pursuits have received no check
the cultivation of our fields progresses heretofore,
and even should we be involved in war there would
be no considerable diminution in the production OF
the staples which have constituted our exports, in
which the commercial world has an interest scarce
II M. ..t...~ x
producer and consumer can only be interrupted by
mn exterior force which should obstruct its transmits
sion to foreign parties course of conduct which
would be detrimental to the manufacturing and
= commercial interests abroad. Should reason guide
! the action of the government from which we have
separated, policy so detrimental to tie civilized
world-the Northern States included-could not bs
declared by even a stronger desire to nhct injus.
tice upon us; but if it be otherwise terrible re
= sponsibty will rest upon it, aud the suferrgs o.
;. miens will bear testimony to the policy and wick
edness of onr aggressors
In the meantime there will remain TO us, beside:
e the ordinary remedies before suggested, tho wei
known resources for retaliation upon the commerce
of an enemy. Experience in public stations Of
subordinate grade to this which your kindness ha
e conferred, has taught me that care and trial anC
Y disappointmens are the Orice of official elevation
Il You will many errors TO forgive many defcien
ces TO tolerate but you shall not find in me eithe
want of zeal or fidelity to the cause that is to nj
the highest in hope and of most cpdearing affection
Your generosity has bestowed upon me an unde
served distinction which neither sought desir
ed Upon continuance Of that sentiment upol
your wisdom and patriotism, | rely to direct AM
support me in the performance required at my haudi
We have changed the constituted parts but not th
= system Of our government.
V The Constitution framed by our fathers Is that o
u these confederate States. In their exposition OF il
he Ao.,
&c light which reveals its true meaning, and thu
instructed to the just Interpretation of chat in
q strument and remembering that all Offices ar
'e but trusts held by the peope-fOr the delegates
~ powers are TO be strictly construed--I will hope b.
due diligence in the performance Of my duty, the
= may dsappoint yonr expectations, yet TO retain
is when retiring, something Of the goodwill and con
~ fdence which will welcome my entrance into ofc,
1t is joyous in the midst of perilous times to loo
:. around upon people united in heart TO hear on
~ purpose of high resolve animates the whole wher
~ the sacrifice is to be made are not weighed in tn
~ balance against honor, right liberty, AVID equality
y Obstacles may bctard but they cannot long retard
y movement sanctioned by its justice aud sustane
S by virtuous people.
~ There will be so much Of homogenity that tn
- welfare Of every portion should be the aim of th
q whole; where this docs not exist antagonisms ar
S engendered which must and should result in seps
~ " raion. Actuaed solely by desire to preserve ou
., own right aud to promote our own welfare, the ser
~ aration Of the Confederate States has been marke
!" by no aggression upon others, and followed by 0
~ domestic convulsiols.
The right solemny proclaimed at the birth Of II
ty States, and which has been affirmed aud re-arme
mt in the bills of rights of the States subsequently
h. nitted into the Union of 1859, undoubtedly recoe
lg nzes in the people the power to resume the autho
ly ty delegated for their purpose Of governments thr
m the eregn States here represented proceeded
ia busa I
language that the act has been denomnated revolt
IT. ton. They formed alliance, but within eac
State its government has retanrd the rights of pei
son and property. They have not ben disturbed b
the agents through whom they communicated wit
he foreign nations This is changed. But this dot
n necessarily interrupt their international rell
tons sustained by the conviction that the trans