The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1861-02-27
Inauguration Of President Davis.
r.' sea MONTGOMERY, ALA, Feb. 1s. Z


g,.' .,'. s.eI MosTooMERr, Ala. Feb. 1s.
The Inaugural ceremonies o.day we're
the grandest pageant ever witnessed 10
the South. There was an immense crowd
on Capitel Hill, consisting of a great
array Of the beauty. military snd citizens
OF the different States. 'H 10 ''@se. =
Ar. Davis commenced at one o'clock.
He said: &c ax ns.l1. VISA 4s ss6s vaaa
"Gentlensn Of the Congtess Of the
Confederate States OF America, friends
and citizens: Called - the dinicalt
and responsible position Of Chief Exscu-
tive of the Provisional Government which
yen have instituted, I approach the dis
charge Of the duties assigned me with an
humble dissrust of my abilities. but with
q sustaining confidence 10 the wisdom of
those who are to guide and aid me In the
administration Of public affairs and an
abiding faith in the virtue and patriotism
Of the people, looking forward to the
speedy establishment Of permanent gov.
srnment to take tho place of this, and
which, by its greater moral and PhysicaI
power, will be better able to combat with
the many difficulties which arise from the
cos6icting interests of separate nations
| enter upon the duties of the Office TO
which l have been chosen with the hope
that the beginning of our career -
Confederacy may not be obstructed by
hostile opposition to our enjoyment Of the
separate existence and independence, with
the blessing Of Providence, which We have
asserted; and, With the blessing Of Provi.
dsEcs. We Intend. to maintain eur present
condition. achieved inas mssper unprecs
dea,ed in the histsry of na,ious.j I,sv 10'
! 1T illustrates the American ides ths.
governments rest spon the consent Of The
governed. ssd that il is the right Of ,he
people TO alter and. abolish governnents
| whenever they become destructive TO the
ends for which they were established - the
declared = compact Of the Union from
which va hsve withdraw to establish
Justice, insure domestic tranquility, pro.
vide for the com mou defsHse. promote the
general welfare and secure the blessings Of
when, in the judgment Of the sovereign
! States now comprising this Confederaey,
it has been perverted from the purpose
for which it wss ordained. and ceased to
answer the ends for which it vas estsb-
4 lished, peaceful appeal to the ballot.boz
declared that 50 far as they we're concern.
Cd tho Government created by that com.
4 pact should cease to exist. In this they
merely asserted the right which ahe Dec
laration of Independence Of l77S defined
to be inalienable. Of the time and occs
sion Of its, exercise they, as sovereigns
we're the final judges, each for itself
The impartial, enlightened verdict of man
\ kind will ,vind;cate. the rectitude Of oul
conduct; and He who knows the hearts ol
mer will judge of the sincerity with which
u We laborsd to preserve the Governmen,
Of our fathers in its spirit."c .assliass
i .Ths right solemnly proclaimed ct th,
birth Of the States, and which has beer
af6rmsd and reafirmed in the bills Of right
| Of the States subsequently, admitted ints
r, the Union Of 1889, uudeniAbly rscog
nizes in the people the power TO RESUME
she authority delegated for their purpos'
Of government. The sovereign State
here represented proceeded to form thi
= Confederacy aud it is by" the abuse o
language that their act has been dsnoni
mated revolution. They formed . nev
alliance, bus within each State its gov
; eminent has retsiaed sAs rights of persol
? and properly ~, .s'id SCI Esl2Fii Sd ys
4 The agent through whom they commu
hicated With foreign nations is changed
bus this does not necessarily Interrupt
q their national relations: sustained by tn,
!, consciousness that the trsnsition from n,
!. fofme, Union to the present Coafederac,
d has not proceeded from disrsgsrd on on
part Of cur just obliestions. or any fail
ure to perform every constitutional duty
1 noved ~ no interest OF Psssien to invad
4 tho rights Of Others; anxious to cul,ivat
, peace and commerce with all nations,
, vs may not hope to avoid war, We msy
llaaat eYnect that n0aferi,v viii A.