Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-03-01
THE SOUTHERN coNFEDERAcY.


MONTGOMERY, Ala, Fob 1S-rhc inaugural ccrem0-
rs 10 day formed the }randsi pageant ever witnessed
iu the South. There was immense crowd on Capitol
llu composed Of citizens and ihc military Mr. Davis
delivered his inaugural, which Is substantially as ol-
lows;
Gentlemen Of the Congress of the Confederate States
" America friends and Hliow-cluzcns--Ca allied 70 dh-
Provisional Government which YOU nave instituted. APP
proach tho discharge of my duties with am humble dsru-
Of my abilities, bt with sustaining confidence pa me
wisdom u those who guide aud aid me 10 the adj
mnluatou Of public affairs and an abiding fliih 10 ihe
virtue and patriotism o. the people Looking forward 10
the speedy establishment " permanent government 20
take the place of this. and which, by IL greater moral
and physca mower will be better able 40 combat with
the difficulties which will arise from conflicting interests
OF separate nolns enter upon the duties Of the office
to which have been chosen with the hope that the be-
ginning Of our career coufederacy may not De OBJ
parate existence in the independence which we have
serted and with the aid of Divine Providence intend 10
maintain Our present condition has been achieved ir
manner Unprecedented the history of nations and H.
Illustrates the American idea that government rests upon
the pCoplerest upon the consent OF the guyerncd-and
that It Is the right Of the people alter and abolish
governments whenever they become destructive 10 the
ends for which thew were established The compact Of
the lniOn from which have withdrawn was 20 rs
absh Justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide Tor
the common defense promote the general welfare and
secure the blessings " liberty To ourselves and pos
tenty and when IN theJndgment OF the sovereign states
composing this oonfcderacy, has been perverted
from the purposes for which II was ordained and ceased
the ends for which II established, peace
u appeal to the haOtbox declared that so far they
were concerned The government created by that compact
should 20 exist In this they merely asserted the
right which the Deci ration Of Independence Of 77G de-
fined naouabie OF the time and occasion for the
exercise N this right they as so'ereiens were The final
judge, each for itself The impartial and enlightened
verdict of mankind will vindicate the rectitude Of
Conduct aud lie who knows the hearts Of men will judge
By the sincerity with watch We abored TO preserve tbc
government Of our fathers in is spirit
The rights OF the States solennly proclaimed at the
birth Of the United States. and which has been affirmed
and readrmed iu the bills Of rights Of the States sube
quently admitted 10 the Union Of l7s6, undenieby
ognzes in the people the power to resume the authority
delegated for the purposes Of government Thus the
sovereign States here proceeded form this
Confcdeacy, and Is by abuse OF language that their
act has been denoinated revolution They have formed
alliance, but within each Of the States us govern
ment has remained The rights Of person and property
have not been disturbed. 1heagent through whom they
communicated with foreign nations is changed but this
does not necessarily interrupt Their international rea
tons. Sustained by the consciousness that the transit
ton from the iumer Union to the present Coniederacy
has not proceeded from disregard on our part OF onr
just obligations any failure 20 perform every Const
utoual duty moved by no interest or passion 10 invade
the nights of others, anxious 70 cultivate peace and COM
mercc with all nations II we may not hope avoid
may at least expect that posterity will acquit us Of
having needessy engaged in H. Doubly justified 10y
the absence ~ wrong our part and by wantou ag-
grcssOn the part Of others there be cause for
doubt that the cnuago and patriotism OF the Confederate
States be will found equal 20 any measures OF defense
whch soon their security may require. An agricultural
people whose chief interest is the export Of commodity
required by every manufacturing country, our true poll
oy is peace and the eest trade which our necessities will
permit
II l. alike interest aud that Of all those 10
whom would sell and from whom would buy. that
there should be the fewest possible restrictions upon
interchangeable commodities. There be but little
rivalry between and every manufacturing nay
eating community such rs the Northeastern States Of
the American Union II must therefore follow that
ual interests would invite good will and kind Offices H.
however passion OF lust OF dominion should cloud the
Judgment on inhame the ambition Of those States We must
prepare TO meet the emergency and MAINTAIN by the final
arbtrament Of the sword the position which have
sumed among the nations of the earth We have entered
upon q career OF Independence which must be nhex-
IDLY pursued through years Of controversy with
late associates Of the Northern States We have mainh
endeavored TO secure tranquility and obtain respect for
the rights 70 which we were entitled, matter OF
oossity and choice We have resorted 10 the rene
dy Of separation and hencefoTh energies musi be
directed 10 conduct Affairs, and promote the per
petuity Of the confcderaey we have formed II Jusi
perception Of iamtua interests shall permit US peacefully
10 pursue our separate political my most earnest
desire will have been hilfed But II this be denied u.s.
and The integrity Of territory and jurisdiction be as
sailed II will but remain for with hrm resolve 20 an