Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1864-07-15
a1anifesio ofthc Rebel Congress.

FROM INC hichhlOnd wig
The following joint preamble and resolution,
with the annexed manifesto. were introduced
info the Senate by Mr.. Hill of Georgia adopted
in secret session, and sent to the House on
Friday night. The House, aner secret de-
bate Of several hours duration, adopted them
substantially as they CAME from the Senate,
with some slight mobilization oflanguage. The
injunction of srcresy having been removed
t.is important document by the House, though
not by the Senate, we lay it before our read
tlis nornsng:
Joint Resolution declaring the disposition of
principles and purposes of the Confederate
States in relation to the existing war with the
United States.
Whereas it is due to the great cause of hu-
mnnitv and civilization, ana especially to the
heroic sacrifices of their gallant army in the
field. that no means consistent with a proper
self-respecl and the approved usages of nations
should be omitted by the Confederate States 10
eniighten the public opinion of the world to the
true character Of the struggle in which they are
engaged, and the dispositions, principles and
purposes by which they are nc,uN,cJ There
tore,
Resolved, by the Congress Of the Confederate
States of Amer, ~ That the following manifesto
be issued in their name and by their authority,
and that the President be requested to cause
copies thereof to be transmitted TO our commits
sioners abroad, to the end that The same may
he laid before foreign governments -
Manifesto ofHe Congress Of tie Confederate
States Of dmerica Rei0tire to the Eristing
Var wM the Uuied States.
The Congress of the Confederate States of
America, acknowledging their responsibility TO
the opinion of the civilized world, To the grea,
law OF Christian philanthropy, and to the Su-
preme Ruler of the Universe, Tor The part they
have been compelled to hear in the sad specla.
Gle OF war and carnage which this continent has
for the last three years exhibited to the eyes of
afflicted humanity, deem the present iitling
occasion TO declare the principles, the scnl-
ments and the purposes by which they have
been, and are still, acuated.
They have ever deeply deplored the necess-
~ which constrained them TO take up arms in
defence of their rights, and Of the free inslitu-
tlons derived IRON their ancestors; and there
is nothing they more ahenty desire than peace,
whenever their enemy, hy ceasing from the un-
hallowed war waged upon them, shall permit
them TO enjoy in peace the sheteriug protect
ton of those hereditary lights and those cher
ished Institutions. The series of successes with
which it has pleased Almighty God, in so sig
nal manner, to bless our arms, on almost ev-
cry point OF our invaded border since the OPEN
ing Of the present campaign, enables US to PRO.
iess this desire OF peace in the interest Of civil
| lzutiun and humanity, without danger of huv-
ing our motives miSinterpreted, of the declara-
lion being ascrihed to any unmanly sentiment,
or any mistrnst of our ability fully TO main,ain
! tnl Il. -
| foreshadowmg ultimate discontinue, which
their gigantic army erected against the capital
o! the Coniederacy, has already met with, are
hut a continuation of the same pruvidental
successes for us. We do not recur to these
successes in any spirit of vain boasting, hut ia
humble acknowledgement of that Almighty
protection WEIGH has youchsafed and granted
them.
The world must now see that eight million,
Of people, inhabiling so extensive territory
| with such varied re oulces and such numerou,
facilities for defence as the benignant bountie
of nature has besowed npon us, and animated
with one spirit to encounter every sacrifice o
case, OF health of property, of life itself. rahe
than be degraded from the condition of free ant
independent States, into which they were born
can never be conquered. VIII not our adverse
ries themselves begin to feel that humanity ha
uled IollS enough tnal tears aud blood ant
treasure enough have been expended in boot
less undertaking, covering their own land, nj
less than ours, with pail ofmourning and ex
posing them far more than ourselves TO the ca
tastrophe of financial exhaustion and bankrupt
cy, not TO speak of the loss OF their liberties b,
the despotism engendered in an aggressive war
fare upon the liberties of another and kindred
peopleP VIII they be willing, by longer per
severance in wanlon and hopeless contest, I,
make this continent which they so long hoaste,
TO be the chosen abode of liberty and sef-goy
ernment, ofpeace and higher civilization, ih
theater of the most causeless and prodigal effu
sion of blood which the world has ever seen. O
a virtual relapse into the barbarism of the rud
ages, and of the destruction of constitutions
freedom by the lawlessness of usurped power
These are questions which our adversarie
will decide for themselves. We desire TO stan,
acquitted before the tribunal of the world, a
T well as in the eyes of omniscient Justice, of an
responsibility for the origin or prolongaton q
a war, as contrary to the spirit of the age as {
, the traditions and acknowledged principles G
. the political system of America.
On this continent, whatever opinions ma
have prevailed elsewhere, il has ever been he'll
and acknowledged, by all parties. that govern
msnt, to be lawful, must bs founded on the con