Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-02-19
TELEGR APHIC!
REPoRTED FOR THE STATESMAN.
Inauguration OF the Southern Execulive-Ad-
dress OF President Davis.

:. dress Of President Davis.
MoNTaoMRRY, Feb. 1s.-The Inaugural oeremonie
day the grandest pageant ever witnessed In th
4 South. There was immense crowd on Capitol hill
consisting Of great array OF beauty military and cit
Mr. Davis commenced speaking precisely o'cloci
He said:
GENTLEMEN or THE CONGRESS or THE CoKFEDERA1
sTATEs or AMERIcA-Frieads and Felloso citisens:-0
being called the difficult and responsible station
Chief Executive Of the Provisional Government whlc
you have instituted Iapproach the discharge OF ne dr
ties assigned with humble distrust Of my abilities
but with sustaining confidence In the wisdom OF ihos
who are to guide and aid In the administration Q
public AFFAIRS and abiding faith In the virtue and pa
trioism Of the people. Looking forward to speedy es
tablshmen OF apermanent government to take the plac
this and which, by ts greater moral and physical pow
or Will be better able TO combat with the many diincul
ties which arise from the conflicting interests OF separat
nations, enter upon the duties Of the Office 70 which
have been chosen with the hope, that the beginning
our career as confederacy may not be obstructed p
hostile opposition to enjoyment ofthe separate exist
ence and Independence, with the blessing OIL Provi
dence, which have asserted and which, with the bless
Ing ofProvidence, we intend to maintain. Our presen
condition was achieved In manner unprecedented In the
history OF nations and illustrates the American idea tina
governments rest upon the consent Of the governed ant
that tits the right Of the people to alter and abolish gov
ernments whenever they become destructive to the end
| for which they were established.
The declared compact OF the Union from which we
have Withdrawn, was to establish justice, ensure domes
tic tranquility provide for the common Defence promote
the general welfare and secure the blessings OF liberty
to ourselves and posterty and in the judgment o
the sovereign States now comprising this coniederacy
IL has been from the purposes for which II was
ordained and ceased to the ends for which II
was established. peaceful appeal to the ballot-box
declared that far as they were concerned the govern
men created by that compact should cease to exist In
this they merely assert the right which the Declaration
Of Independence Of l776 defined TO be nalenabe or the
time and occasion Of Its exercse they as soveregns were
the final judges, each for itself. The impartial, inelli
gent verdict Of mankind will vndicato the Tecttude Of
conduct, and He who knows the hearts Of men will
Judge Of the sincerity with which we hayeAbored to pre-
serve the Government Of fathers in Its spirit the
right soemny proclaimed at the birth CT the States, and
which has been affirmed and reafrmed In the bills Of
rights Of the States subsequently admitted into the
Union OF $780, which undenaby recognise In the people
the power to the authority delegated for the pur
pose, Of government
Thus the sovereign States here represented proceeded
to form confederacy and 1t is by the abuse OF language
that their act has been denominated revolution. They
formed alliance, but within each State It's Govern
met has retaned Its sovereignty The rights OF person
and property have not been disturbed The agent through
whom they have communicated with foreign nations is
changed, but this does not necessarily interrupt their
International relations. - -
Sustained by the consciousness that the transition from
the former Union to the present Conederacy has not
proceeded from disregard our part Of our first obl
gations any failure to perform every constitution al
duty moved by no interest or passion to invade the
rights Of anxlous cultivate peace and
with all nations, II we may not hope to avoid waf we
may least expect that posery will acqut Of hay
| ing needlessly engaged In II. '.lt.. q.
Doubly Justified by the absence Of wrong our part
and by wanton aggression the part Of Others there
be doubt that the courage and patriotism
OF the people Of the Confederate States will be found
equal to any Of defence which their security
| may require. = .tur
agricultural people, whose chief interest is the
port Of commodity required in every manufacturing
country, true policy peace and the reeeSt inter
course which necessities will permit. Its alike
interest," and that Of all those from whom would buy
that there should be the fewest practicable restrictions
upon the Interchange Of commodities, There can be
but little rivalry between ours and any manufacturing
or navigation community, such as the free States of the
American Union II must therefore, follow therefrom
that mutual interests would invite good will and kind Of
fees H. however, passion lust Of dominion should
cloud the judgment in1ame the ambition Of those
States we must prepare to meet the emergency, and
maintain, by the final arbltratment Of the sword, the
position which haye assumed among the nations Of
the earth.
We have entered upon career of independence which
must be inexiby pursued through many years Of
troversy, late associates and Northern States may
have vsinly endeavored to secure tranquility and OBJ
tain respect for the rights to which we were entitled
q necessity, not choice we have resorted to the
edy Of separation and hence, for the future
ges must be directed to the condition Of our own Affairs,
and the prosperity Of the contederacy which we have
formed.
II Just appreciation of mutual Interests shall permit
peaceaby to pursue our separate political career my
most earnest desire will have been fulfilled but II this be
denied and the integrity Of our territory and Jurisdiction
be sssalled, IL will but remain for us with firm resolve to
appeal to arms and invoke the blessing Of Providence In
just cause.
q
view to meet anticipated wants, II will be necessary to
provide speedy and efficient organization OF the branch
Of the executive department having special charge OF
foreign intercourse, finance, military AFFAIRS and postal
service.
For purposes Of Defence the Confederate States may
under ordinary circumstances, rely mainly upon their
militia but II Is deemed advisable, in the present cond
ton Of AFFAIRS that there should be we'll instructed dis
cipined army, more numerous than would usually be
required In peace Establishment.
also suggest that for the protection Of harbors
n nde0uAte tlOn0
objects will be required. ..
These necessities have doubtless engaged the attention
OF Congress, with Constitution differing only from that
Of fathers In so far IL explanatory Of their we'll
known intent.
Free from sectional conflicts, which have interfered
with the pursuit Of the general welfare, tits not
reasonable to expect that Of the states fvm which
have recently parted may seek to unite their fortunes
with ours under the Government We have instituted
For this your Constitution makes adequate provision
but beyond this, If mistake not the Judgment and will
Of the people that union with the States from which
they have separated Is neither practicable nor desirable
To increase the power develop he resources and pro-
mote the happiness Of confederacy Ii Is requisite there
should be much Of homogeniy that the welfare Of every
portion should be the aim Of the whole. Where this does
not exist, antagonsms are engendered which must and
should result in separation. ,tNc ..f
Acuated solely by desire to preserve our own rights
and to promote our own weliare the separation OF the
Confederate States has been marked by no aggression up
others and followed by domestic convuBons. Our
Industrial pursuits have received check. The cult
vahon Of helds progress, ashereofore. And even
should he involved In war; there would be cousd
cradle dlminution In the production OF the staples
which constituted EXPORTS in which the commercial
world has interest scarcely less than own. This
interest Of producer and consumer can only be
intercepted by exterior force which should obsruct Its
transmission to fore gn markets: aeoare Of conduct which
would be detrimental TO the manufacturing and CONNER
cai interests abroad. .lhl Fr
should reason guide the action Of the Government
from which We have separated. policy detrimental
the civilized world, the Northern States Included,
could be declared by even astronSer desire to nc
injustice upon US. But III be otherwise, terrible 70
sponsby will rest upon 1t, and the suffering Of millions
will bear testimony to the bad policy and wlckedness Of
aggressors In the meantime, there will remain to
u.s. beside the ordinary remedies before suggested the
we'll known resources for retaliation upon the commerce
Of an enemy. tlt 'if er 4
Experience In public stations Of subordinate grade
to this which your kindness has conferred taught
that care and TOLL and disappointment the price of
official elevation You will see many 10 forgive,
many deficiencies to tolerate, but you shall not nd In
either want of zeal fidelity to the cause that s
to me the highest In hope and OF most endearng aec
tlon. Your generosity has bestowed upon me unde-
served distinction which neither sought desired- -
Upon continuance Of that sentiment, and upon your
wisdom and patriotism, rely to direct and support
in the performance required OF my hands.
We have changed the constituted parts but not the
system Of our Government. The Constitution formed
fathers Is that Of these confederate States In
the expedition Of and In the judicial construction II
has received we have light which reveals its true
meaning. As to the Just Interpretation Of that nstru.
ment, and ever remembering that all Offices but
trusts held for the people, and that delegated powers
to be strictly construed, will hope by due diligence in
the performance OF my duties, though may dsapponi
your expectations yet to retain something Of the good
will and confidence which welcome my entrance into Of
fee. .et sifn.sG
Itsjoyous In the midst Of peril In our times to ool
around upon people united In heart hear that
purpose Of high resolve anmates and acuates the whole
When the sacrifices to be made not weighed In the
balance against honor right liberty and equality, obsa
ces may reard but they cannot long prevent the pro
gess Of movement sanctioned by its justice and sus
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