New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-14
A SOUTHERN INAUGURAL.


Gov. Petius was recently reelected and insugurated
Governor Of Mississippi, and in speech on that oc-
casion lie said:
When defeat brings death TO the best and brsvest
Of our land and worse than death TO those WHO
merely survive, reckless must be the man who as
sumes 10 play any prominent part IN tins desperate
game without more than ordinary sohcitude; that
sOlcude is deepened by the reflection that our enc
mics entered upon this war of invas,on favored by
many advantages; having much the largest share OF
the arms and munitions of war, which were the com
property of all the Slater, and almost the entire
navy OF the old CoDfederacy, with their ports open
to the commerce Of the world, enebiOg them TO sup
ply any deficiency in arms ammuDilions; with SUI
perior numbers OF men capable of bearing arms.
These advantages, if wisely used, will make this
war bloody and protrscted, and enable them TO III
dict much suffering on the Confederate States.
As vet they seem only to have inflated the pride
which is said TO 60 before destruction, and excited
the baugbty spirit which precedes fall.
If our enemies shall be taught wisdom by the de-
feats they have suffered, and learn to bring wisely
to bear the advantages which they possess, while
they may proiract the struggle and inflct much in
jury the Ultimate conquest Of the Confederate States
must still be beyond their power.
Their superiority of arms is overreached by our
superiority in skill in the use Of them; their superb
ority in numbers il more than equaed by the higher
courage Of orr troops their desire for conquest nust
give way before the stern resolve of patriots to de-
fend their homes and, above all, that sentiment Of
"victory or death which burns in the hearts and
blazes IN the eyes Of Southern troops wheh bas and
will continue to overcome greater odds than can be
brought against in the conflict, cannot be inspired
in the hearts Of the selfish and sordid race with
which we now contend. 1t was of this Napoleon
spoke when lie said the moral Of the army three
fourths Of the war; the material the other fourth.
Ttis is the principle in human action which has
made esrth's most memorable battlefield, and
against it superior numbers as vain as when
Theuis.oeles struck for the liberties Of Greece ar
vain as Manassas aud Leesburg as at Platea aud
Marathon and upon this have relied and will rely
with unshgsen confidence, for the triumph and free
dom OF our country.
The low, sordid sefshness which induced them 70
disregard their obligations under the old Confedera-
ev ana lmpelled them recently 10 flock to the stand
ard under which they were promised easy victory
and rich booty, viii not permit them 10 patiently
bear tue bootless haTdships Of barren campaign or
give their lives 10 make that banner victorious under
which they mustered for plumber.
Weighing fairly the motives which actuate men,
il is not unreasonable to expect that instead Of easy
triumph and rich spOils they meet with stern st-
ance, they will continue in the future as they have
in the psst battles to illustrate by their actions the
words Of one Of the statesmen which their race has
produced: This il not the entertainment to which
We were invited"
If by the light Of history compare the princi-
PIE which impels TO action the behgerents in this
conflict the result indicates clearly the ultimate ri.
umph Of our arms, though the war should be more
protracted and bloody than any which The continent
las known. That this hoped for result may be re-
allied, shall be my oeaseless care, bringing TO its
accomplishment al the powers which have been or
may b. conferred upon me.
Nor need make any solemn proteststion in this
regard, for speak IN the presence OF those who
know that they have the same guarantees OF fidelity,
which tbe owners Of the ship have for the faithful
care Of the captain, when a thousand miles from
land.
If The ship is lost the captain goes with itf our
cause ia lost all who hold big places in the Southern
S,ates must perish first in its fall.
Nor is this peril impending only over those in high
places. One common destiny awaits Us all, aud in
pOllcol aspirations be awed into silence until the
united action Of ali her citizens shall have saved the
state from The blacklist desrotism which ever crushed
the spirit Of free people. That united action,
prompt vgOrous and bold, is demanded this hour,
and will not waste ii in words, for even now,
while speak TO sou here in all human probability,
the war cloud is casting it, shadow contcndiDg
armies in Western Kentucky, the guns o. our kin
bred flashing defiance in the faces Of invading thou
sands aud Ihe red rain Of battle once more watering
The dark ara bloody ground. Let US not be idle
SPECTATORS the times demand Of the men az this day
10 DO 10 dare, and TO suiier-bepets pOsterity calls
on them TO protect their brthrght Of Liberty. Let
us show ourselves equal TO the requirements, and
when called 10 take place in the pale caravan for
the tomb, We NAV turn and wave adieu 10 the gem
Grafton which comes sfter us with the proud con.
sciousncss that we have done our duty 10 God, our
and 10 them.
CHEZ Justice Smith then admins stored the oath Of
Office, after which the Joint Convention was dis
solved.