The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1863-01-28

year of a struggle uncheered by any hope
Of success, kept alive solely for the indul-
ssnce Of mercenary and wicked passions,
and demanding so exhaustive an expendi-
ture Of blood and money as has hitherto
been imposed on their people. The advent
Of peace will be hailed with joy. Our de-
sire for it has never been concealed. Our
Efforts to avoid the war. forced on us as it
was BY the lust of conquest and the insane
passionsoof our foes, are known to mankind.
But earnest as has been our wish for peace
and great as have been our sacrifices and
sufferings during the war. the determine
ton Of this people has, with each succeed
ing month, becume more unsltersbly fixed,
to endure any sufferings and continue any
sacrifices, however prolonged. until their
right to self government and the sovereign
" and independence Of these States shall
have been trlumphantly ylndicated and firm,
y established.
La this connection the occasion seems not
unsuitable for some reference to the rela-
tions between the Confedsracy and the neu.
tral pOwers.of Europe slnre the separation
Of these States from the former Union.
Four Of the States, now members OF the
Confederacy. were recognized by names as
independent soyereigntles in a treaty Of
peace. concluded in the year 1888, with
one OF the two great maritime powers Of
Western Europe, AMI had been prior to that
perInd. allies in war OF the niher. In the
year 1873 they formed Union with nine
ather States under articles of Confedera-
tion. Dissatisfied with that Union, three
of them, Virginia. South Carplina, and
Georgia, together with eight Of the States
now members of the United States, seced-
ed from II in 1889. and these eleven seced
lng States formed second union. although
-by he terms Of the articles of confederation
express provision was made that the 6rst
union should be perpetual. Their right to
secede, Notwithstanding this provision. was
neither contested by the States from which
they separated, nor made the subject of dis
cussion with any third power. When. nj
later period, North Carolina acceded 10
that second union, and when. still later. the
other seven States. now members OF this
Coniederacy, became members Of the same
Union. it was upon the recognized footing
of equal and independent sosereisnties, nor
had IL then entered into the minds Of men
that sovereign States could be compelled,
by force, 10 remain members OF a contede-
ration into which they had entered Of their
own free will. ". al subsequent period. the
defence OF their safety and hOnor should,
in their Judgment, Justify withdrawal. The
experience Of the past had esiucsd the fu-
tilIty Of any remuneration Of such inherent
rights, aud accordingly the provisioa for
perpetuity contained in the Articles Of Con.
federation Of I7-Swas omitted in the Con-
sutution of 1889. When. therefore, in
1861 eleven Of the States again thought pro-
per, for reasons satisfactory to themselves.
10 secsds from the second union. aud to
form third one under an amended constl-
ton, they exercised a right which, being
inherent. required no justification to ior-
elgn nations, and which international law
did not permit them Il question. The us
ages OF intercourse between natlonsd0 how
ever, reqnire that official communication be
male TO friendly powers of all organic
changes in the constitution Of States. aah
there was obvious sropriety IL giving prompt
assurance Of our desire 70 continue amira-
Bile relations with all mankind. ItSas un>
der the influence of these considerations
that your predecessors. the provisional gov
ernment, took early measures for sending
to Europe Commissioners charged with the
duty ol visiting the capitals Of The differ
ent powers. and making arrangements for
opening Of mUre formal diplomatic inter-
course.
Prior, however, to the arrival abroad OF
thOsc Commissioners, the United States
had commenced hostiliiies against the Con-
federacy By despatching secret expedition
for the reinforcement Of Fort Sumter, after
an express promise to the contrary, and
with duplicity which has been fully IN.
seiled 10 former message. They had al'
50 addressed communications TO the differ