Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-05-08

Of respect from those against whom his guns had
been so recently directed Not only does every
event connected with the siege reflect the highest
honor on South Carolina but the forbearance Of
her people, and Of this government, from making
any harsh use of . victory obtained under circum-
stances of such peculiar provocaton attest to the
fullest extent, the absence Of any purpose beyond
securing their own tranquility, and the sincere de-
sire to avoid the calamities of war;
Scarcely had the President of the United States
received intelligence of the failure Of the scheme
which he had devised for the reinforcement Of Fort
Sumter, when he issued the declaration Of war
against this Confederacy which. has prompted me
to convoke you. In this extraordinary production,
that high functionary affects total ignorance Of the
existence of an Independent Government which,
possessing the entire and enthusiastic devotion of
its people, is exercising its functions without ques
ton over seven sovereign States-over more than
five millions Of people, and over territory whose
area exceeds half q million of square miles. He
terms sovereign States combinations too powerful
to be suppressed by the ordinary course of judicial
proceedings, or by the powers vested in the mar
shals by law" He calls for army of seventy five
thousand men to act as posse comatatus in aid of
the process of the courts of justice in States where
courts exist whose mandates and DEGREES are not
cheerfully obeyed and respected by q willing peo-
pie. He avows that ''the first service to be as
signed to the forces called Out" will be- not to exc
cute the process of courts but to capture forts and
strong holds situated within the admitted limits of
this Confederacy, and garrisoned by its troops and
declares that this effort" is intended Ito maintain
the perpetuity Of popular government" He con-
cludes by commanding 1.-The persons composing the
combinations aforesaid" to-wt: the five millions of
inhabitants of these States ITO retire peaceaby to
their respective abodes within twenty days"
Apparently contradictory as are the terms OF this
singular document one point was Enthusiastically
evident The President of the United States called
for an army Of seventy five thousand men, whose
first service was to be to capture our forts. 1t was
plain declaration of war which was not at liber-
ty to disregard because of my knowledge that under
the Constitution Of the United States the President
was usurping power granted exclusively to the
Congress. He is the sole organ of communication
between that country and foreign powers. The law
of nations did not permit me to question the
thority of the Executive of foreign nation to de-
clare war against this Confederacy. Although I
might have refrained from taking active measures
for defence if the States of the Union had all
initiated the action of Virginia, North-Carona, Ar
Kansas Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri, by de-
nouncing the call for troops unconstitutional
usurpation of power to which they refused to re-
spond not at liberty to disregard the fact that
many of the States seemed quite content to submit
to the exercise Of the power assumed by the Presi
dent of the United States, and were actively en-
gagged in levying troops to be used for the purpose
indicated in the proclamation.
Deprived of the aid of Congress at the moment,
was under the necessity of combining my action to a
call the States for volunteers for the common de-
fence, in accordance with the authority you had
confided to me before your adjournment deemed
it proper further to issue proclamation inviting ap
plication from persons disposed to aid defence
in private armed vessels the high SEAS to the end
that preparations might be made for the immediate
issue of letters Of marque and reprisal which you
Alone under the Constitution, have power to grant,
entertain no doubt you will concur with me in the
opinion that in the absence of feet of public ves-
sells, it will be eminenty expedient to supply their
place by private armed vessels SO happily styled by
the pu6cists of the United States "the militia Of
the sea" and so often and justly relied on by them
warfare. I earnestly recommend the immediate
passage Of law authorizing me to accept the num-
-erous proposals already received
cannot close this review of the acts of the gov
eminent of the United States without referring to
proclamation issued by their President under date
Of the 10th instant in which, after declaring that
instruction has broken out in this Confederacy
against the government of the United States, he an
nounces blockade of all the ports of these States
and threatens to punish as pirates all persons who
shall modest any vessel of the United States under
letters of marque issued by this Government Not
withsanding the authenticity of this proclamation
you will concur with that it is hard to believe it
could have emanated from President of the United
States. Its announcement of mere paper blockade
is SO manifestly violation Of the law of nations
that it would seem incredible that it could have
been issued by authority; but conceding this to be
the case, far the Executive is concerned it will
be difficult to satisfy the people Of these States that
their late confederates will sanction its declarations
will determine to ignore the usages Of civilized na-
tons, and will inaugurate war of determination
on both sides, by treating pirates, open enemies
acting under the authority Of commissions issued
by an organized government. fsuch proclamation
was issued, it could only have been published under
the sudden influence of passion and we may rest
sured mankind will be spared the horrors of the
conflict it seems to invite.
For the details Of the administration of the differ
ent departments refer to the reports of the Secre
taries which accompany this message.
The State department has furnished the necessary
instructions for three commissioners who have been
sent to England France, Russia and Belgium, since
your adjournment to ask our recognition as q menu
Der of the family Of nations and to make with each
| of these powers treaty of antilles and commerce.
Further steps will be taken to enter into like nego
tations with the other European powers in pursu-
ance to your resolutions passed at the last session.
Sufficient time has not yet elapsed since the depar.
ture of these commissioners for the receipt of any
intelligence from them. As deem it desirable that
commissioners or other diplomatic agents should
also be sent at early period to the independent
American powers south Of our Confederacy, with al
of whom it is our interest and earnest wish to main.
tain the most cordial and friendly relations, sug.
gest the expediency of making the necessary ap
preparations for that purpose.
! Having been officially notified by the public au
thorities of the State of Virginia that she had with
drawn from the Union, and desired to maintain the
closest political relations with us which it was pos
sible at this time to establish, commissioned thu
Hon. Alexander II. Stephens, Vice President Of thu
Confederate States, to represent this government a
concluded a convention with the State of Virginia
! by which that honored Commonwealth, so long ani
justly distinguished among her sister States and SC
dear to the hearts of thousands of her children
the Confederate States, has united her power ane
her fortunes with ours, and become one Of u.s. Th.
convention, together with the ordinance of Virgins
adopting the provisional constitution of the Con