Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-06-17

pies and puTpOSes OF the Confederate States IN re
tItiOn to the existing s0ar Nth the United States
Whereas, it is due to the great cause of humani-
ty and civilization, and especially to the heroic sac
ri6ces of their gallant army in the field, that no
means, consistent with proper self respect and the
approved usages of nations, should be omitted by /
the Confederate States to enlghten the public opn-
ion of the world with regard to the true character
of the struggle in which they en- saged and the
dispositions, principles and purposes by which they
are actuated therefore,
ReSolOed By the Congress 0fthe Confederate States
Of A1neriea That the following manifesto be issued
in their name and by their authority, and that the
President be requested to copies hereofto be
transmitted to commissioners abroad to the end
that the same may be laid before foreign Govern.
ments.
MANIFESTO OF THE CONGRESS OF CONFEDERATE STATES
OF AMERICA RELATIVE TO THE EXISTING WAR WITH
THE UNITED STATES.
The Congress of the Confederate States of Amer
ca acknowledging their responsibility to the opln-
ion of the civilized world to the great law OF Chris
tan philanthropy and to the Supreme Ruler of the
universe, for the part they have been compelled to
bear in the sad spectacle of war and carnage which
this continent has. for the last three years, exEb
ted to the eyes Of afflicted humanity, deems the
present fitting occasion to declare the principles,
the sentiments and the purposes by which they have
been and are still actuated.
They have ever deeply deplored the necessity
which constrained them to take up arms in defence
OF their rights and Of the free institutions derived
from their ancestors; and there is nothing they
more ardently desire than peace whatsoever their
enemy, by ceasIng from the unhalowed war waged
upon them, shall permit them to enjoy in peace the
sheltering protection of those hereditary rights and
of those cherished institutions. The series of sue
ceSSeS with which it has pleased Almighty God, IN
so signal manner, to bless our arms almost eV
cry point of our invaded borders since the Opening
OF the present campaign, enables to profess this
desire of peace in she interests Of civilization a"d
humanity without danger of having our motives
ulSnerpreted or of the declaration being ascribed
to any anmahly sentiment or any distrust Of our
ability fully to maintain our cause. The repeated
and disastrous checks, foreshadowing ultimate dis
eomhture which their gigantic army, directed
as inst the capital Of the Uonfederacy, has already
met with, are but continuation of the same prov
dential successes for We do not refer to these
successes in any spirit Of vain boastng, but in hum
! BILE acknowledgment Of that Almighty protection
which has vouchsafed and granted them.
! The world must now see that eight millions OF
people, inhabiting extensive q territory, with
| such varied resources and such numerous facilities
| for defence as the benignant bounty of nature has
bestowed upon US, and animated with spirit to
encounter every priyaton and sacrifice of ease, of
health, Of property, of life ITSELF rather than be
degraded from the condition Of free and indepen-
| dent States into which they were born, never
+ be conquered. Will not our adyersaries themselves
begin to feel that humanity has bled long enough
that tears and blood and treasure enough have betn
expended i'll bootless undertaking, covering their
/ own land no less than ours with pail o. mourn
ing, and exposing them far more than ourselves to
the catastrophe of financial exhaustion and bank
rupcy, not to speak of the loss Of their liberties
BY the Gespotistn engendered in aggressive war
fare upon the liberties of another and kindred peee
pie? Will they be willing, by longer persever-
ance in waDton and hopeless contest, to make this
: continent, which they so long boosted to be the
chosen abode of liberty and self government, Of
peace and higher civilization the theatre of the
most GauseleSs and prodgal effus"n of blood which
the world has ever seen, Of virtual relapse into
the barbarism Of the ruder ages and of the deSruc
ton Of constitutional freedom by the lawlessness Of
uSurped power?
These are questions which our adTersaries will
decide for themselves. We desire to stand acquit-
ted bsfore the tribunal of the world, well as in
the eyes of omniscient justice of any responsibility
for he origin or proongatiOn of a war as contrary
to the spirit OF the age as to the traditions and &C
khowIedged maxims of the political system of
america.
! On this continent, whatever opinions may have
prevailed elsewhere it has been held and &C
! knowledged by all parties that government, to be
awful, must be founded the consent of the
governed. We were forced to dissolve our federal
connection with our former associates by their ag
gFessons on the fundamental principles of our COM
pact OF union with them and in doing so, exer-
esed right consecrated IN the great charter of
american lberty-the right of free people, when
q government proves destructive of the ends for
which it was established to recur to original prin-
cpes and to institute guards for their security
+ The separate independence of the States as sover-
/ %ign and co-equal members of the Federal Union,
had never been surrendered and the pretension Of
+ Supplying to independent communities, so constitut
= ed and organized, the ordinary rules for coercing
/ and reducing rebellious subjects to obedience was
/ sOlecism in terms, as well as an outrage on the
/. 5osinciples OF public law.
The war made upon the Confederate States was
! therefore, wholly one of aggression On side,
is has been strictly defensive. Born freemen, and
i the descendants of gallant ancestry, we had nc
|! option but to stand up in defence of invaded
ifrsSldes Of our desecrated affairs of violated
liberties and birthright and of the prescriptive in
situations which guard and protect them. We have
not interfered nor do wish, in any manner
whatever, to interfere with the internal peace anC
prasperty of the States arrayed in hostility agains
ns, or with the freeSt development Of their deSti
EIies in any form of action or line Of policy they
|: may think proper to adopt for themselves All We
sE4k, is like immunity for ourselves and to be lef
in the undisturbed enjoyment of those inaenablt
mlgSts of "lfe, liberty and the pursuit OF happi
! Tess," which our common ancestors declared to b.
the equal heritage of all the parties to the socia
compact.
l. let them forbear aggressions up3n Us, and TIT
war is at an end. If there be questions which re
4Uire adjustment by negotiation We have ever beef
willing and are still willing to enter into commnni
t astion with ovr adversares in spirit of peace, o
equity, and manly frankness. Strong in the per
suasou of the justice of cause, in the gallan
devotion of our citizen soldiers, and of the Who'll
i body of our people, and above all in the graciou
! protection Of Heaven we. are not afraid to avow
{ sincere desire for peace on terms en0jstent wit
our honor and the permanent security OF rights
! and an, earnest aspiration to the world one
mora restored To the benehcept pursuits Of indstr