Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-02-26
. PRESIDENT DAVISs
? INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
! r[DELIrRaED 1s klouxosD, FEE, 22p, 1869.

ted to eomDIemorateis heroic virtues and those Of
his compatriots, we have assembled to usher into
existence the permanent government Of the Confed-
crate States. Through this instrumentality under
the favoT Of Divine Providence we hope to perpetu-
ate the, principles of our Revolutionary fathers
The day, the memory, and the purpose seem 6tly
associated . -, g.le $50. :
1t is with mingled feelings Of humility and pride
that appear to take In the presence of the people
and before high Heaven, the oath prescribed as a
qualification for the exalted station to which the
unanimous voice Of the people has called me- Deep
~ sensible of all that is implied by this manifesto
ton of the peoples confidence am yet more pro-
foundy impressed by the vast responsibility of the
office, and humbly feel my own unworthiness. In
return for their kindness, can only offer assrran-
ces of the gratitude with which It is received and
can but pledge Jealous devotion of every faculty
tohe service of those who have chosen me as their
! Chief Magistrate. e. .-... -.. r-'~ ..s -.
When a long course of class legislation, directed
not to TIE general welfare but to the aggrandize-
ment of the Northern section of the Union, cnlmi-
mated in warfare on the domestic institutions of
the Southern States-when the dogmas of Sec
tonal party, substituted for the provisions of the
constitutional compact threatened to destroy the
sovereign rights of the States six of those States
withdrawing from the Union, conederated together
to exercise the right and perform the duty Of ins
tuting government whchwould better secure the
liberties, for the preservation Of which the Union
was established. ...' b.. 30.
Whatever of hope some may have entertained
that returning sense of justice would remove the
danger with which our rights were threatened, and
render it possible to preserve the Union of the Con-
stitution, must have been dispelled by the maligu
y and barbarity of the Northern States in the pros
ecuton Of the existing war. The confidence Of the
| most hopeful among US must have been destroyed
by the disregard they have recently exhibited for all
! the tmehonored bulwarks of civil and religious
liberty. Bastlles filled with prisoners, arrested
without civil process, indictment duly found the
writ of ha6eas corpus suspended by executive man.
date; State Legislature controlled by the impris
| Onment Of members whose avowed principles sug-
geSted to the Federal Executive that there might be
another added to the list of seeded States; cleo
tons held under threats of military power; civil
officers, peaceful citizens and gentle women ncar
eerated for opinions sake, proclaimed the lncapacty
II our late associates to administer a government
AZ free liberal and humane as that established for
| otE common use
Tor proof of the sincerity Of our purpose TO main
tain our ancient institutions, may point to the
| Conktitution of the Confederacy and the laws
acted under it, as well to the fact that through
all necessities of our unequal struggle, there has
becnIn act on our part TO impair personal liberty
te freedom of speech of thought or of the press
| hfCourts have been open the judicial functions
fuzzy executed, and every right of the peaceful cti
/ IN maintained securely rs if war of invasion
/had not disturbed the land
The people Of the States now confederated, be-
| came CONVINCED tnat the government oil the Onteu
States had fallen into Tic hands of sectional major
ty who would pervcrt that most sacred of al trusts
to the destruction Of the rights which it was pledged
to protect. They believed, that TO remain longer in
| the Union would subject them to continuance of
diSpaIaging discrimination, submission to which
would be inconsistent with their welfare, and intol
cradle to proud people They therefore determin-
ed to sever its bonds and establish new Confed-
eracy for themselves. Cheers
The experiment instituted by our revolutionary
fathers Of voluntary union of sovereign States for
purposes specified in solemn compact, had been
perverted by those who feeling power and forget
ting right, were determined to respect no law but
their own will. The government had ceased to an
! swer the ends for which it was ordained and estab
| lished To save ourselves from a revolution, which
in its silent but rapid progress was about to place
uS-under the dcSpOtSm of numbers and to preserve
in spirit as well as in FORM system Of government,
| we believed to be peculiarly fitted to our condition
! and full 0S promise for mankind, we determined 10
make new association composed of States homoge-
neous in interest in policy, and in feeling. Cheers
True to our traditions of peace and our love OF
justice, sent commissioners TO the United States TO
propose far and amicable settlement of all qucS-
tons of public debt or property which might be
in dispute. Bat the government at Washington de-
nyng our right to Selfgovernment refused even to
| listen to any proposals for peaceful separation.
Nothing then left to US but to prepare for
| Cheers ......
! eventful in the annals of this Continent \
government has been established and its machinery
! put in operation, over exceeding 100000
! square miles The great principles upon which we
have been willing to hazard everything that is dear
to man, have made conqueSts for, which could
! never have been achieved by the sword Our Con-
! federacy has grown from six to thirteen States;
and Maryland, already united to US by halOwed
memories and material interests, WILL | believe,
when able to speak with justified voice. connect her
destiny with the South. Threat applause Our
people have rallied with unexampled unanimity to
the support Of the great principles of Constitutional
government with firm resolve to perpeuate by arms
! the rights which they could not peacefully
( million of men, it is estimated now standing
in hostile array, and wagng along frontier of
| thousands of miles; blttles have been fought;
| seiges have been conducted, and although the
! test is not ended and the tide for the moment is
against US the final result in favor is not doubt
| full -..-.-..r... - .- .....g
The period is near at hand whenour foes mustsink
/ under the immense load of debt which they have
! incurred debt which in their effort to subugate
us, has already attained such fearful dimensions
! as will subject them to burthcns which must con-
! tinue to Cypress them for generations to come
We too have had our trials and difficulties. That
we to escape them in future is not to be hoped
| 1t was to be expected when we entered upon this
/ war, that 1t would expose our people to sacrifices
and cost them much, both of money and blood. But
| we knew the value of the object tor which we strug
ged, and understood the nature of the war in which
VIC were engaged. Nothing could be so bad as
failure and any sacrifice would be cheap Ae price
| of success in such a contest. Cheers. -
! But the picture has its lights as well as its
shadows This great strife has awakened in the
people the highest emotions aad qualities Of the
human soul 1t is cultivatlng feelings of patriotism
virtue and courage. Instances of seifsacriHce and
1 of generous devotion to the noble cause for which
we are contendng, are rife throughout the land.
Never has people evinced more determined spirit
! than that now animating men, women and children,
in every part of our country. Upon the first call
men ny 10 arms; and wives and mothers send their
husbands and sons to battle without murmur of
! regret 7~ -- --.s'- SIS -