Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1861-02-28
ADDRESS OF JEFFER-
SON DAVIS.

4
provisional government of the new seceders'
confederacy, at Montgomery, on the 18th are
said to have formed the grandest pageant
ever witnessed at the South An immense
crowd, including military, assembled on
| Capitol hull Mr.. Davis inaugural address
was substantially as follows
Gentlemen of the congress of the cOnfed-
crate states of America, friends and fellow
citizens Called to the difficult and Iespon-
sible station of chief executive of the prOvis-
ional government, which you have instituted,
| approach the discharge of the duties as
signed me with an humble distru>t OF my abil-
tiles, but with a sustaining confidence In the
wisdom of those who are TO guide and aid me
in the administration of public affairs, and an
a iding faith in the virtue aud patriotism Of
the people. Looking forward to the speedy
establishment of permanent government to
take the place of this, and which, by its great
er moral and physical power will be better
able to combat with the many diff ;ultes which
arrlse from the conflicting interests of separ-
ate natiosn, | enter upon the duties of the
office to which | have been chosen with the
hope that the beginning of our career as
confederacy may not be obstracted by hostile
opposition to or enjoyment of the sepa-ste
existence and independence which we have
asserted, and which with the blessing Of proyi-
dence, we intend 10 maintain. Our present
condition, achieved In manner unpr' cedent-
ed in the history of nations, illustrates the
American idea that governments rest upon
the consent of the governed, and that it i
the right of the p' ople TO alter and abolish
governments whenever th' brcome de,fruc-
tive TO the ends TOR which they were estab-
lished. The declared compact Of the Union
from which we have Withdrawn was to estab-
lish Justice, ensur, domestic tranquility, pro-
vide for the common defence, promote tht
general welfare, and secure the blessings Of
liberty to ourselves anu our posterity, aud
when in the Judgment of the sovereign states
now composing this confederacy, it has been
perverted from the purposes for which it was
dained, and ceased to answer the ends for
which it was established, a peaceful appeal to
the ballot box declared that so far as they
were cor cerned the government created By
that compact should cease TO exist. In this
they merely asserted ;he right the declaration
of independence Of 1776 defined TO be in
alienabe. OF thr time and occasion OF it.
exercise they as sovere lis were the fui
judges, each for itself. The impartial, en-
ll2htened verdict OF mankind will viudrate
the rectitude OF our conduct, and he who
knows the hearts OF men will Judge of the sin
cerity with which we Iabored to preserve the
government OF our fathers III its spirit
The right solemnly proclaimed al the birth
OF the states and which has been aiiirned
ana re-anrmed IN the DllIs Of rl9nis Ot the
states subsequently admitted INTO the Union
Of l789, undeniahly recognizes in the people
the power to resume the authority delegated
for the purpose Of the government Thus
the sovereign states here represented pro
ceede to form this cOniederacy, and il Is by
the abuse OF language that their act has been
denominated revolution. They formed a new
alliance, but within each state its government
has remained; the rights of person and prep
erty have not been disturbed. The agent
through whom they communicated with for
cgn nations Is changed. but this does not
necessarily interrupt their international rtla-
tions.. Sustained by the consciousness that
the transition from the former Union 10 the
present cOnfederary has not proceeded from
disregard, Oh our part, of our just obiiga
tons, any failure to perform every ,onstl-
tutional duty; moved by no interest or pass
ion to invade the rights Of others: anxious to
cultivate peacr and commerce with all ma
tions; if we may not hope to AVOID war W.
may at least expect that pOsterity will acquit
It's of having needessly engaged in It. DOuby
justified by the absence OF wrong our part,
| and by wanton aggression Oh he part OF 9th
ers there can be no cause TO doubt that the
| courage and patriotism OF the people OF the
confederate states will b." found equal to any
measures of defence, which soon their security
may require. An agricultural people, whose
| chief interest is the export OF commodity
required in every manufacturing country our
| true policy is peace and the treest trade which
our necessities will permit. 1t is alike our IN
| tereSt and tha Of all those to whom we would
| Sc |, and from whom we would buy, that there
| should be the teweSt practicable restrictions
upon the interchange OF commodities. here
can be but little rivalry between ours and
/ any manufacturing or navigation community
such as the northeastern stat es OF the Amerl-
can Union. 1t must follow, therefore, that
mutual interest would invite good will and
kind offices. If, however, passion or lust OF
dominion should cloud the judgment or IN
flame the ambition OF those states, we must
prepare to meet the emergency, and main
tain by the final arbtrament OF the Sword,the
position viii h we have assumed among the
nations OF the earth. We have entered upon
a career OF independence, which must be in
fexbly pursued through many years OF con
troversy with our late associates Of the north
Ttates We haS iaS fndseaGY9MFad M the
rights to which we were entitled. As ne
| ceSSltN, nov Il CDOict, we nave IGSOilcAI " tiC
remedy of separation, and hencetorth our en-
ergies must be directed to the conduct OF our
own 8ffairs and the perpetuity Of the cOnted-
eracy which we have formed. If Just per
ceprion of mutual interest shall permit III
peaceably to pursue our separate pohtIca
career my most earnest desire will have been
fulfilled But if this be denied US, and the
integrity Of our territory and jurisdiction be
a,sailed it will but zen ain tor us, with firm
resolve, to appeal to arms, and invoke the
blessing of Providence on just cause. As a
consequence of our new condition, ana win
, a view to meet anticipated wants, 1t Will be
. necessary to pro ide speedy and efficient
organization of the branches Of the executive
f department, having special charge of foreign
intercourse, finance, military. affairs and pos
tai service. For purposes OF defense the con
federate states may, under ordinary cicumr-
stanced, rely manly upon the militia, but II Is
deemed advisable, III the present condition
, of affairs, that there should be well instruct
) ed, disciplined army, more numerous than
: would usually be required on peace eStao
lishment. | also suggest that, for the protec
ton o. our harbOrs and commerce on the mgr
0 seas, navy adapted to these objects Will D'
required. These necessities have doubtless
1 engaged the attention of congress. with
2 constitution differing only from that OF ouI
a fathers in so fal as it is explanatory OF then
. well known intent, freed from sectional con
= flicts, which have interfered with the pursuit
: of the general welfare, it is not unusual to eX
f pect that the states from which we have re
: Gently parted, may seek TO unite their fortune
3 with ours under the government we nave III
stituted. For this your constitution make
= adequate provision; but beyond tins, II
r mistake not, the Judgment and will OF tn