The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1861-02-27

thern States, we have vainy endeavored
to secure tranquility aud obtain respect
for the rights to which we were en,it ed.
As u necessity and not from choice, we
have resorted to the remedy of separa
ton ; and henceforlh our energies must
be directed 20 conduct our own affairs,
and secure the perpetuity Of the Coufede
racy which we have formed.
If just perception of mutual interests
shall permit us peaceabIy to pursue our
separate political career, my most earnest
desire will have been fulfilled. But if
this be denied us, and the integrity of our
territory and jurisdiction be assaied, i,
will but remain for us, with firm resolve,
10 appeal to arms, and to invoke the
blessing Of Providence upon our just
cause.
As consequence Of our new con ii.
ton, and with a view to meet anticipate d
wants, IL will be necessary to provide
speedy aud efiiciet organization of bran,
ches of the Executive Department having
Special charge Of foreign intercourse,
hnance, military affairs, and postal ser
vice. For purposes Of defence, the Con
'ederate States may, under ordinary cir.
/ cnmstances, rely mainly upon their mill.
Tia, bu; II IS deemed advisable in the pres
ent condition of affairs that there should
be well instructed disciplined arm, more
numerous than would usually be requir
ed in IA peace establishment.
also suggest that for the protection
Of our harbors and commerce on The high
seas, a navy adapted for those objects
will be required. These necessities have
dodbtIess engaged the attention uf Con-
gress.
With a Constitution differing only
from that Of our farthers, in so far as il,
is explanatory Of their well known iutent,
freed from sectional conflicts which have
imteriered with the pursuit cf The genera!
welfare, II is not unreasonable TO expect
that the States from which we have re
Gently PARKED may seek to unite their
fortunes with ours under the Government
which we have instituted. For this your
Constitution makes adequate provision,
but beyond this, if mistake not the iudg.
men, and will of the people, A RE UNION
SEPARATED is NEIIHER PRACTICABLE NOR
ID DESIRABLE.
10 Increase the power, TO develop the
resources and promote the happiness Of
u Coniederacy, it is requisite that there
should be so much Of homogeniety that
the welfare Of every portion should DO
The aim o! the whole. Without this an.
,agonisms are engendered, which must
aud should result in separation.
Ac'ua,ed solely by the desire to pre-.
serve our own rights and promote our
own welfare, the separation of the Con-
Tolerate States has been marked bv no
aggression upon others, and followed by
no domestic convulSion. Our industrial
pursuits have received no check. The
cultivation Of our fields has progressed AS
heretofore, and even should we be invol
we'd in war, there would be 40 considera
be diuunltion in the production of tho
staples which have constituted our ex
ports, and in which the commercial world
has an interest scarcely less than our own.
lhis common interest OF producer and
consumer can only be intercepted by an
eXteiior force which should obs,ruct It's
transmission TO foreign markets cour.e
OF conduct which would he as unjus. 10
wards us as it would he detrimental to
the manufacturing and commercial inter.
ests abroad. Should reason guide the
action Of the Government from which
We have separated, a policy so delrimen
tai to The civilized world, the Northern
States included, could not be dictated by
even tho strongest desire to iuflicl injury
upon US. But if il should be otherwise
a terrible responsibility will rest upon il,
and the suffering Of millions will bear
testimony TO the folly and wickedness OF
our aggrcssors. In the meantime there
will remain to us, besides the ordinary
remedies before suggested, the well'known
resources for retaliation upon the com.
msTce Of our enemy.
Experience in public stations Of grades
subordinate to this, which you kindness
had conferred, has taught me Thai care
and toll and disappointment are the price
Of official elevation. You will see many
errors 10 forgive--many deficiercies- to
tolerate but you shall not find in me
either want Of zeal or fidelity 10 the
cause, that is to me highest in hope and
of most enduring Affection Your gener.
osity has bestowed upon me an unde
served distinclion--one which neither
sought nor desired. Upon continuance
OF that sentiment and upon your wisdom
and patriotism rely, to direct and sup
port me III the performance Of the duty
required at my hsnds. We have changed
Our constituent parts but the system Of
our Government, the Constitution formed
by our fathers, is that Of these Confeder
ate States. 10 their exposition of it, and
in che Judicial construction it has 70.
ceived, we have a sight which reveals lis
true meaning Thus ius,ructed as to the
just Interpretation Of the Instrument, and
ever remembering rsat sIl offices are bat
trusts held for The people, aud that the
delegated powers are to be strictly con.
stfoed, | will hope, by due diligence Il,
the performances Of mp daties, though ]