The national Republican., 1861-02-19

Union. 1t must follow, therefore, that Q uu-
tual interest would invite good will and kind
offices. ''' 'H7'' Hr ,777I71
IT. however, passion or lust Of dominion
should cloud the Judgment or infame the am
bition OF those States, We must prepare TO meet
the emergency, and maintain by the 6nal sr.,
bitrament Of the sword the position which We,
have assumed among the nations Of the earth.
We have entered upon . career of independ.
enee, s. and It must be inaexibly pursued through
many years Of controversy with our late asso.
ciates, the Northern States. We have vsinly
endeavored to secure ranquillity, and obtain
respect for the rights to which We were entitled.
As necessity, and not as choice, we have
resorted to the remedy Of separation, and
henceforth our energies must be directed to
conduct our own affairs and the perpetuity Of
the Confederacy which we have formed. II a
just perception Of mutual interest shall permit
us peaceably to pursue our separate political ca
reer, my most earnest desire will have been full.
filed. But if this be denied US, and the integ.
rty Of our territory and Jurisdiction be assailed,
it will but remain for us, with firm resolve, 10
appeal TO arms, and invoke the blessing Of
Providence in our just career. e.. ..HrI gIs
As consequence of our new condition, and,
with view to meet our anticipated wants, it
will be necessary to provide speedy and eff.
cent organization Of branches of the Execu
tive department, having special charge Of our
foreign intercourse, finances, military affairs,
and the postal service. For the purposes Of
defence, the Confederate States may, under Or
dinary circumstances, rely mainly upon their
militia ; but it is deemed advisable in the pres.
ent condition of affairs that there should be
wellinstructed and welldisciplined army, more
numerous than would usually be required a.
peace establishment. ..t...
l also suggest that, for the protection Of our
harbors and commerce on the high seas, a
navy adapted to these objects will be required.
These necessities have doubtless engaged the
attention Of Congress. With a Constitution diC
ering only from that of our fathers in so far a il
is explanatory of their wellknown intent, freed
from the sectional conflicts which have inter.
fered with the pursuit of general welfare, it is
not unusual to expect that the States from
which we have recently parted may seek to
unite their fortunes with ours, under the Gov.
ernment which we have instituted. For this,
your Constitution makes adequate provision;
but beyond this, if mistake not the judgment
and will Of the people are, that union with
the States from which we have separated is
neither practicable nor desirable. To increase
our power, develop our resources, and promote
the happiness of Confederacy, it is requisite
that the welfare of every portion should be the
aim of the whole. Where this does not exist,
antagonisms are engendered which must and
should result in q separation.
Actuated solely by desire to preserve our
rights and promote our own welfare, the sepa.
ration Of the Confederate States has been
marked BY no aggression upon others, and fol.
lowed by no domestic convulsions. Our in.
dustrial pursuits have received no check the
cultivation of our fields progresses as hereto
fore, and even should we be involved in war,
there would be no considerable Elimination iu
the production of the staples which have con-
stituted our exports, and in which the CONNER.
cisl world has an interest scarcely less than
our own. This common interest of produce
the consumer can only be intercepted by ex.
terror force, which should obstruct its trans
mission to foreign markets. course of coll
duct which would be as unj ust towards Us as
it would be detrimental to the manufacturing
and commercial interests abroad.
Should reason guide the action of the Gov.
ernment from which We have separated, a
policy so detrimental to the civilized world
dictated by even stronger desire to infict an
injury upon US. But, If otherwise, terrible
responsibility will rest upon it, and the suffer
ings of millions will bear testimony to the folly
and wickedness Of our aggressors. In ths
mean time, there will remain for us, besides
the ordinary remedies before suggested, the
wellknown resources of retaliation upon the
commerce of our enemy.
Experience in public stations of subordi.
nate grade, added to this, which you have con-
ferred, has taught me that care, and toll, and
disappointment, are the price of official eleva
ton. You will see many errors to forgive
many deficiencies to tolerate; but you shall not
find in me either want of zeal, or fidelity to the
cause that is to me the highest in hope, and Of
the most enduring affection. Your generosity
has bestowed upon me an undeserved distinc-
tion-one which neither sought nor desired.
Upon continuance Of that sentiment, and
upon your wisdom and patriotism, rely to di.
rect and support me in the performance of the
duty required at my hands. We have changed
the constituent parts, but not the system, of our
Government. The Constitution formed by our
fathers is that which these Confederate States,
in their exposition of it, and in their Judicial
construction of it, has revived. We have light
which reveals its true meaning. Thus instruct
ed as to a just Interpretation of the instrument,
and ever remembering that all Offices are but
trusts held for the people, and that the delega-
ted powers are to be strictly construed, l will
hope by due diligence in the performance Of my
duties, though may disappoint your expecta.
tions, yetto retain, when retiring, some Of the
good will and confidence which welcomes my
entrance into Office.
1t is joyous, in the midst of perious times,
to look around upon people united in heart.
where one purpose of high resolve animates
and actuates the whole-where the sacrifices to
be made are not weighed in the balance against
honor right, liberty, and equality. Obstacles
may retard, but they cannot long prevent the
progress Of the movement sanctifed by its
JUSTICE and, sustained by virtuous people,
reverently let us invoke the God of our fathers
to guide and protect US in our efforts to per.
petuate the principles, which, by His blessing,
they were able to vindcate, establish, and
transmit to their posterity; and with con.
tnuance OF His favor, ever gratefully acknowl.
edged, we may hopefully look forward TO sue