The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-02-19
THE SOUTHERN CONGRESS.
The Proceedings of the Southern sovereignties at
Mon tgomery, Alabama.
the INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT DAVIS,
Re-, Sc, &c.
THE INAUGURATION AND ADDRESS OF
PRESIDENT JEFFERSON DAVIS.


PRESIDENT JEFFERSON DAVIS.
THRrEENTH DAY.
MONTGOMERY, Feb is, 1881.
The inaugural ceremonies ,o-fay were the granoest
pageant ever witnessed il tire South There was an in
nense crowd on capuol H Consisting of great array
OF the beauty, military and citizens of the different,
States
Mr.. DAVIS commenced precisely at one o'clock. He
said
OF AMERICA
FRIENDS AND FELLOW Cinzgss--Cailed to the difficult
and responsible station of Chief Executive the Prov
sionA Government which you have instituted, ap
proach the discharge Of tho duties assigned me with an
humble dsuust Of my abilities, but with sustaining
confidence IN the wisdom OF those who areo guide and
aid me In the administration Of pubiic affairs aud an
abiding faith the and pa riotsm OF tho r. ope
Look Dg forward TO the speedy establishment OF per
manent govorpnent TO the place Of th s. ana
which, by its greater moral and physicai power
will be better able to mbat with the many
difficulties which from the conflicting of
separate rs, enter aton the dunes Ct tie office 10
Which hare len c th re p not the Jegian,ng #
car career as tofederocy not be Instructed by hostile
ogo I'on 70 oir ecyn.n NJ @ The separate erfce and in
fendsnce uhich hare erted and w,ch, aih the bless
ing Of Proridtnce, intend to motntdss Our present
condition, achieved a unprecedented 10
history OF nations, illustrates the American idea that
govern mepts rest upon the tho governed and
that It IS right for the people to alter aud abolish
mens wherever they destructive TO the ends for
which they established The declared compact Of
the Union from which have withdrawn TO estab
lish justice, insure domestic tran luiilty, provide
FOR the common defence, promote the general
welfare, apd the blessings liberty to ourselves
and rosteIity; and when, in the Judgment of the
sovereign States composing this confeierscy has
been perverted from the purposes for which IT
dained and ceased to the ends for which
established peaceful appeal to the ballot box declared
that so far they concerned, the government
created by that compact should to exist In this
they merely asserted right which the Declaration Of
Indep of l176 deGaed to be nalenabe. OF the
time and OF lis exercise they, sovereigns,
we're the final judges, each for itself The impartial
enlightened verdict OF mankind will vndcate the rect
suce of conduct, and He who knows the hearts of
will judge Of the sincerity with which we abored
preserve the government of our fathers in its spirit
The reh solemny proclaimed Il the birth oftho States
and which has affirmed resnirmed in the bills
ofgbts Of the States subsequently admitted into tho
Union OF 1889 undeniahy recognizes in the people the
power 10 the authority delegated for the pur
poses OF governn Thus the sovereign States here
represented proceeded 10 form this confederacy and is
BY the abuse Of language that their act hos been denom
mated revolution. They formed alliance but with
In each State its government hs remained the rights Of
person aud property have not been disturbed The agent
through whom they communicated with foreign nations
Is changed but this necessarily interrupt their
international relations. Sustained by the conscious
ness that the transition from the form
err Union to the present contederacy has
not proceeded from disregard part Of just
obligations any failure to perform every coIstitu-
tonal duty, moved by interest passion to invade
the rights OF others anxious to cultivate peace and COM
ncfce with sl nations, If may not hope TO avoid
war may at least expect that poserity will acqut
us Of having ueedlessy engaged in It, Douby justified
BY the absence OF wrong on our par, and by wanton
aggression On part Of Others there be
20 doubt the courage and patriotism of the people of tho
Confederate States win be founl equal TO any
of defence which econ their security may require.
Al aoricturdl people, uh chf interest Is the export
NJ ccmr,odify required 1T every manufacturing country
our true policy is peace and tho frcos trade which
our necessities will permit II IL alike our interest and
that OF all those 70 whom would sell, and from
whom we would buy, that there should be the iewcst
practicable upon the interchange OF ccnmo-
dities There ran Dc bit tu,s ricahy btreen ours and
ony manufacturing or navigating community, such az the
Norheasern Sats Of The american Union. must fotloc,
therefore, that muucI interest vod nue god UNI and
lind offices r. ho,cery passion lust IF dominion should
clo,,d The judgment ~ flame The Gmtipn II those States,
ore re,a Jrspdre 70 meet he emergency AMI maintain w
tse fnoi ar,iyameat a he sTosi TIE posisn whta nc
1nv css,smed among the nations Of the earh. We
have entered upon career of Independence, which
must be inaexibly pursued through many years
az controversy with late associates OF the
Northern states. We have vsinly endeavored to
secure tranquility aud obtain respect for the rights TO
which we were entitled As Necessity, not choice 'ce
ha~ yssoYt,d the remo Of se,rJion; and henceforth
or energies st be directed 90 thu conduct OF our own
Affairs and the peipeuLy Of be confederacy which We
have formed II just perception Of mutual interests shall
permit rcaeeably TO rursus oar separate political ca
reer my most earnest desire will have been fulfilled;
but this re denied US, aud the integrity Of our terri
aory and jur sdicton 10 asao, will but remain for
us. with nrm rcsolvo, 70 appeal. 4, arms, aud IN
coke the blessing of Providence just Cause. Az
a consequence Of now condition, and with
a view r. meet antoiratod wants, IL will
be necessary to provide speedy and efficient organzt
t,or Of tho banchcs tho Executive Department having
epeciaI charge Of foreign intercourse, duaace, military
affairs and postal service. Ter purposes RI defence Tho
Confederate States may undor ordinary circumstances
relv mainly Upon thor militia but !. IL doomed a1sisa
HE in the present condition af affairs thai NEE sg /.
,csu ,nsrso,ed disciplined army more numerous thar
rou,d usually be required on peace establishment
suores, that fe ne protection Of our h1yioss aud com
..r ~ ne high sas nary adapted 10 those o'ecs viii