The Semi-weekly Shreveport news. [volume] (Shreveport [La.]) 1862-1864, 1862-02-28

pretended blockade has deprived US
ofpur commerce with them, it Is fast
making us self supporting and in
dependent people. The blockade, il
effectual and permanent, could only
serve to divert our industry from the
production Of articles for export, and
employ it in supplying commodities
for domestic use.
1t is satisfaction to know that We
have maintained the war by our un-.
aided excrtions. We have neither
asked nor received assistance from
any quarter. The interests involved
are not our own; the world at large
is concerned in the opening Of our
markets to it's commerce, and when
the Independence Of the Coutcdct ate
States is recognized by the nations
of the earth, and we are free to follow
our interests and inclinati lions by cul-
tivating foreign trade, the Southern
States will offer the manufacturing
nations the most favorable market,
which ever invited their commerce
Cotton, sugar, rice, tobacco, provisions
timber and naval stores, Will furnish
attractive exchanges, nor would the
censtancy of these supplies be likely
to be disturbed by war. Our Conird
crate strength will BE too great to
tempt aggression, and never was there
people whose interest and princi-
pies committed them so fully 10 Il
peaceful policy as these Confederate
States.
BY the character of their produc-
tons they are too deeply Interested
in foreign commerce to want a war
only to disturb the world, and a war
Of conquest they cannot wage, be
cause the constitution of the Contel
eracy admits no coerced association,
\ civil war there cannot be between
States held together by their volition
only, and this rule Of voluntary assoc
citation, which cannot fail to be CON
sentative, as, by securing Il just and
| impartial government at home, 1t does
not diminish the security of nhli"a
tons by which the Confederate States.
may be bound t. foreign nations. In
proof, it is to be rem slnbcrtd that, 1T
the first moment of asserting their
right to secession, these States pro
posed :, ttlement on tic basis OF
common liabilities for the obligations
Of the General Government.
Fellow -citiZens-Atter the sirn"-
gle for ages had conSccratcd the riS lit
of Engiishmcn to Il constitutional re-
preventative government, our Colo
NAL ancestors We're forced TO vindi-
cata that birtllriyht by az appeal to
arms. Success crowned their efforts.
and they provided for their posteri,v
a peaceful remedy against future ag-
grcssions. The tyranny Of an unbri-
died majority, the most odious and
least responsible form of despotisIn.
has denied us both that and remedy
Therefore we are in arms to renew
such sacrifices as our fathers made to
the holy cause of constitutional lihrr-
~. At the darkest hour of our str,s%-
gle, the Provisional gives ylaceto I'll"
Permanent Governments; and after Il
'isenies of successes and victories which
covered our arms with glory, We have
recently met with serious disasters
but in the heart of this people, who arc
resolved to be free, these disasters
tend but to stimulate to increased re
i sistance To show ourselves worthy
the inheritance bequeathed us by tllc
patriots of the revolution, we mus,
emulate the heroic devotion which
made severe to them. the crucible il
which their patriotism was refined.
With confidence in the Wisdom and
virtues of those who will share with
me the responsibility, and aid me il,
the conduct Of public affairs, and Sc
cureiy relying on the patriotism anc
courage of people Of which tb'
present war has furnished so many
nya,nnlos I dncnly feel the Meinl