The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-07-08

ADDRESS BY THE CONFEDERATE CONGRESS.

ADDRESS BY THE CONFEDERATE CONGRESS-.
Whereas, 1t is due to the great cause of hui
mainly and civilization, and especially to the
field, that no means consistent with proper
self-respeet and the approved usages of nations
should be omitted by the Confederate States
to enlighten the public opinion of the world
with regard to the true character of the strug
gle in which they were engaged, and the dis
positions, principles and purposes by which
they are actuated; therefore,
States Of America, That the following mani
festo be issued in their name and by their au'
thority, and that the President be requested 10
cause copies thereof to be TRANSMITTED 10 our
Commissioners abroad, to the end that the
same may be laid before foreign governments
MANIFESTO OF THE CONGRESS OF THE CoNFED-
ERATE STATES OF AMERICA RELATIVE TO The
EXISTING WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES
The Congress of tho Confederate States of
America, acknowledging tnelr responsionlty to
law Of Christian philanthropy, and to the Su-
nreme Ruler of the Universe, for the part they
have been compelled to bear in the sad specta-
Gle of war and carnage which this continent
has. for the last three years, exhibited to the
eyes of afflicted humanity, deem the present a
fitting occasion to declare tho principles, the
have been and are still actuated.
They have ever deeply deplored the necessi-
ty which constrained them to take up arms in
defence of their rights and of the free institu-
tons derived from their ancestors; and there
is nothing they more ardently desire than
from their unhallOwed war waged upon them,
shall permit them to enjoy in peace the shell
tering protection of those hereditary rights
and of those cherished institutions. The Sc
ries of successes with which it has pleased Al
mighty God, in so signal manner, to bless
our arms on almost every point of our invaded
borders since the opening of the present cam
in the interests of civilization and humanity,
without danger of having our motives misin-
terpreted, or of the declaration being ascribed
to any unmanly sentiment or any distrust of
our ability to fully maintain our cause. The
repeated and disastrous checks, foreshadowing
ultimate discontinue, which their gigantic ar
my, directed against the capital of the COnted-
eracy, has already met with, are but q continu-
alton of the same providential successes for us.
We do not refer to these successes in any spirit
of vain bOasting, but in humble acknowledge
ment of that Almighty protection which has
vouchsafed and granted them.
The world must now see that eight millions
of people, inhabiting SO 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 one spirit to encounter every privatiOn
and sacrifice of ease, health, property, of life
ITSELF rather than be degraded from the condi-
| ton Of free and independent States, into which
| they were born, can never be conquered. Will
| not our adversaries themselves begin to feel
that humanity has bled long enough; that
| tears and blood and treasure enough have been
| expended in boOtless undertaking, covering
| their own land, no less than ours, with pail
| of mourning and exposing them far more than
ourselves to the catastrophe of financial ex-
| loss of their liberties by the despotism engen-
dered in an aggressive warfare upon the liber-
ties of another and kindred people? Will
| they be willing, by longer perseverance in a
wanton and hopeless contest, to make this con-
tinent, which they so long boosted to be the
chosen abode of liberty and selfgOvernment, of
peace and higher civilization, the theatre of
the most causeless and prodigal effusion of
blood which the world has ever seen, or vir-
tual relapse into the barbarism of the ruder
ages, and of the destruction of constitutional
| freedom by the lawlessness of usurped power !?
| These are questions which our adversaries
| will decide for themselves. We desire to stand
acquitted before the tribunal of the world, as
| we'll as in the eyes of Omniscient Justice of
ton of a war as contrary to the spirit of the
age as to the traditions and acknowledged
maxims of the political system of America.
On this continent, whatever opinion may
have prevailed elsewhere, 1t has ever been held
and acknowledged by all parties that govern
ment, to be lawful, must be founded on the
| consent of the governed. We were forced to
dissolve our federal connection with our former
associates by their aggressions on the funda.
| mental principles of our compact of union
with them and in doing so we exercised a
right consecrated in the great charter OF Amer
lean lberty--the right of a free PEOPLE, when a
| government proves destructive to the ends for
principles and to institute new guards for their
security. The separate independence of the
| States as sovereign and cOequal members OF
Federal Union had never been surrendered,
and the pretensiOn of applying to independent
| communities, so constituted and organized,
the ordinary rules of coercion and reducing
rebelliOus subjects to obedience, was solecism
! in terms, as well as an outrage on the prin-
ciples OF public law.
The war made upon the Confederate States
was, therefore, wholly one of aggression. On
our side, it has been strictly defensive Born
freemen, and the descendants of a gallant an
| cestry, we had no option but to stand up in
defence of our invaded fresides, of our desc.
Grated altars of our violated liberties and birth
right, and of the prescriptive institutions which
guard and protect them. We have not inter
fered, nor do we wish in any manner whatever
to interfere, with the internal peace and pros.
perity of the States arrayed in hostility against
us, or with the freest development of their des-
TIMES in any form of action or line of policy
they may think proper to adopt for themselves
All we ask is like immunity for ourselves and
| to be left in the undisturbed enjoyment Of
those inalienable rights of :" life, liberty and
the pursuit of happiness" which our common
ancestors declared to be the equal heritage OF
all the parties to the social compact.
Let them forbear aggressiOns upon us, and
the war is at an end. If there be questions
which require adjustment by negotiation, we
have ever been willing, and are still willing, to
enter into communication with our adverse
ries in spirit of peace, equity, and manly
frankness. Strong in the persuasion of the
business OF our cause, in the gallant devotion
OF our cltizen-soldiers, and of the whole body
OF our people, and above all in the gracious pro-
tectlOn OF Heaven, we are not afraid to avOw q
sincere desire for peace on terms consistent
with our honor and the permanent secur ty Of
our rights, and an earnest aspiration to see the
world once more restored to the benifcent
pursuits OF industry and of mutual intercourse
and exchanges, 80 essential to its we'll being
and which have been 90 gravely interrupted bv
the existence of this unnatural war in AIner;ca
But if or adversaries or those whom thew
have placed in authority, deaf to the voice o,
reason and justice, steeled against the dictates
of both prudence and humanity bv the nre
sumptuous and delusive confidence in their 1ur