The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1861-02-27

and independence, with the blessing OF Pro.
Vidence, which we have asserted, and which,
with the bessing Of Providence, we intend
to maintsin. Our present condition was
achieved in manner unprecedented in the
history OF nations, and illustrates the Ameri.
can idea that governments rest upon the con.
sent OF the governed, and that 1t is the right
OF the people to alter and abolish govern
ments 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which we have withdrawn, was to establish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 domestic tranquility, provide
for the common defence, promote the gene
raj welfare, and secure the blessings Of lib.
erty to ourselves and our posteriiy; and in
the judgment of the sovereign States now
comprising this confedsracy, it has been
perverted from the purposes for which ii was
ordsined, and ceased tosanswer the ends for
which it was established. A peaceful ap.
peal to the ballot. box declared that so far as
they were concerned, the government cre-
ated by that compact should cease to exist.
In this they merely assert the right which
the Declaration OF Independence OF l776 de-.
lined TO be ina!iensble. OF the time and
occasion of its exercise, they as sovereigns
were the final judges, each for itself. The
Impartial, intelligent verdict of manki;d
VIII vindicate the rectitude Of our conduct
and He who knows the hearts of men will
Judge OF the sincerity with which We have
l"bored to preserve the Governnent of our
fathers in its spirit, the right solemn!y pro
claimed at the birth Of the States, and which
has been ttfirmed and re tffirmed in the bills
OF rights OF the States subsequently admitted
into the Union of 1889, which undeuiably
recognize in the people the power to res ume
the authority delegated for the purpose, oil
government.
Thus the sovereign States here repre-.
sebtcd proceeded to form confederacy; and
1t Is by the abuse of language that their act
has been denominqted revolution. They
formed new alliance, but within each
State It's Government has retained its sover.
eignty' 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 neces.
| sarily interrupt their international relations.
Sustained by the consciousness that the
transition from the former Union to the
present Confederacy has not proceeded from
disregard on our part of our first ob!ig4.
tons, or any failure to prelorm every consti.
tutional duty; moved by no interest or pas.
sion to invade the rights of oihers; anxious
to cultivate peace and commerce with all
nations, 1t we may Rot hope to avoid war,
we may at least expect that posterty will
acquit US OF having needlessly engaged in it.
Doubly justified, by the absence of wrong
on our part, and by wanton aggression on
The part OF others, there can be no cause to
doubt that the courage and patriotism of the
people OF the Confederate States will be
found equal to any measures Of defence
which their security may require.
An agricultural people, whose chief in.
terest is the export of commodity required
in every manufacturing country, our true
policy is peace and the freest intercourse
which our necessities will permit. 1t is
alike our interest, and that of all those from
whom we 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 man
utacturlDg Or navigation community, such
al the tree' States Of the American Union.
1t must, therefore, follow therefrem that
mutual interests would invite good will and
kind offices. If, however, passion or lust of
dominion should close the jud !ment CT in.
hame the ambition of those States, we must
prepare to meet the emergency, and main.
tain, BY the final arbitratment of the sword
the position which we have assumed among
the nations Of the earth.
We have entered upon q career of inde.
pendence, whice must be infexbly pursued
through many years of controversy, but our
late associates and Northern Suites may
have vainly endeavored to secure tranquility,
and obtain respect for the rights to which
we were entitled. AS a necessity, not q
choice, we have restored to the remedy of q
separation; and hence, for the future, our
energies must be directed to the condition o
our own affairs, and the prosperity of the
contederacy which we have formed.
1t just appreciation of mutual interests
snail permit US peaceaby to pursue ou
separate poltic,l career, my most earn
est desire will have been fulfilled !; but
this be denied, and The integrity of our ter
rltory and jurisdiction be assailed, it will bu
remain for US with firm resolve to appeal Il
arms, and invoke the blessing of Providence
in just cause.
AS conse quence OF our new condition
ana with view to meet anticipated wants
1t will be necessary to provide speedy AM
!sftcient organization Of the branches of thu
executive department having special chargt
OF foreign intercourse, finance, military af
: iars. and postal service.
f, For purposes of defence, the Confederate
States may, under ordinary circumstances
rely mainly upon their militia but 1t il
deemed advisable, in the present condition
of affairs, that there should be we'll in
structed, disciplined army, more numerou
than would usually be required in a peac
establishment.
, | also suggest that for the protection o
our harbors, and commerce on the high seas
navy adequate to those objects will be re
quired.
These necessities have doubtless engage
e the attention OF Congress, with Consttu
g ton differing only from that Of our father
n in 90 far as it is explanatory Of their wei
i known intent.
- Free from sectional conflicts, which hav
interfered with the pursuit Of the genera
v welfare, 1t is not unreasonable to expect thu
some of the States from which we have re
:. Gently parted may seek to unite their for
IS tunes with ours under the Government W,
o have instituted. For this your Constitution
Il makes adequate provision /; but beyond this
I it, mistake not, the judgment and will o
Q the people are that onion with the State
q from which they have separated is neithe
l. Il " sunr = h.