The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-06
Message of Jefferson Davis to the Rebel
Congress NJ Montgomery.

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I Message of Jefferson Davis to the Rebel
Congress NJ Montgomery.
In compliance with the proclamation, con-
vening an extra session of the Congress Of the
seeding States, that body assembled, on the
10th ultimo, at Montgomery, and, on the same
day, received the message from Mr.. Jefferson
Davis, which was published in the HERALD of
yesterday. 1t filed four columns OF our paper,
and is mainly confined to such a display of
historical special pleading, as might have been
looked for, on the occasion. 1t maintains that
no such national government" as the United
States of America, ever existed; but that the
! constitution was q mere "federal compact,"
only binding SO long as the parties thereto
were, ''severally," contented to abide by the
same. From these premises, it argues that
abolition inceLdiarism, aggressive local legis.
laton in the Northern States, and the defeat Of
the principles OF the democratic party, abun
dainty justified the seeding States in having
fallen back upon their reserved rights, and in
siituted a separate confederation. They con-
seqrently," concludes this portion of the docu-
ment, passed ordinances res,uing all their
rights as sovereign and independent States, and
dissolved their connection with the other States
of the Union"
Thus far, the message is a rehash, charac-
terized by but moderate share of ability, and
very unequal TO many speeches that have been
delivered on the same subject in the United
States Senate, of the notification speeches,
and Of sundry States rights tracts that
have been published, from time to time,
by advocates of that doctrine. We were
scarcely prepared, however, for a complete
jump, in the message, from the discussion of
secession as an abstract right to the civil war
which has been inaugurated, without single
reference to intervening events. Not syllable
is said upon the subject Of the seizure of ar
senals, post Offices, and custom houses, by
orders OF the rebel authorities; the occupation
Of federal fortresses is ignored; the bareiaced
stealing Of public moneys, at New Orleans and
elsewhere, is not limited at; not word is utter.
| ed respecting the taking Of revenue cutters and
| steamers; fling into vessels on the Mississippi
| and high seas and other warlikc acts, com
mitted in several Of the withdrawing States
outrages perpetrated upon individuals from
the North, are not edyerted TO; but with an
impudence monsrous enough to be startling,
the second part Of the communication opens
| with the words:-"That peace is ardently
| desired by this government and people, has
been manifested in every possible form; and
| but for the interference of the government Of
the United States in the legitimate right Of
the people to selfgoyernment, peace, happi-
nees and prosperity would now smile in our
| landp'
The Southern Catalina who aspired to the
conquest of Washington city whose Secretary
of War lately declared that the flag of the
Southern conlederacy should float over Faneuil
Hall and who, nevertheless, pretends that he
has never advocated any other than peaceful
policy, proceeds TO accuse Mr. Lincoln's admin
istraton OF bad faith, in having permitted the
Commissioners from Montgomery to remain
unaware Of his intention to reinforce Forts Sum-
ter and Pickens, and OF falsehood in having
given them TO understand, through the medium
of some distinguished parsonage" that no
measure changing the status, preju icially to
the Confederate States, was in contemplation"
1t would be a sufficient reply that the story is
incredible, as The President had declared In his
inaugural that he should pursue totally differ
ent course. Neither can any argument be more
puerile and weak than one which has some
body told somebody for it's only basis-and
Mr.. Davis and bis Commissioners have not pre-
tended to trace to Mr. Lincoln himself any dis
tinct pledge. But, waving these reasons for
| rcpudiating the whole charge, what can be
more unblushingly arrogant, prepostcrous,
and false, than this accusation, on the part OF
a rebel cheitain who, while levyiag large
army, according TO his own acknowledge
inent making active preparations, with from
three TO five thousand men ut Pensacola,
end seven Thousand ii Charleston, to
carry two federal tortresses by storm;
secretly Negotiating with the Governor Of Vir.
| ginia to seize upon large quantities. Of arms
and a Navy lard there; openly boastilg Of bis
| intention TO invade tie national capital; aud
| breathing haired and defiance Ia thc tirst mes
sage he penneu, alter his elevation to power;
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