Washington telegraph., 1864-07-13

ana HypDStS ~ Sf, N'~'y 49, -
ia relation to the Existing Var ao'tA
the United States.
WHEREAS. IL il due to the great cause
Of humanity and civilization. and espe-
cially to the heroic sacrifices OF their gall
LIANT army in the field, that no means
consistent with a proper self-respect and
the approved usages ot nations, should
be omitted by the Confederate States to
eniighten the public opinion Of the world
with regard to the true character Of the
struggle in which they are engaged, and
the dispositions, principles and purposes
by which they are actuated: therefore
Resolved, BY the Congress Of the Con-
federate States of America, That the fol-
lowing manifesto be issued in their name
and by their authority, and that the
President b requested n cause copies
thereof tO be transmitted 10 our commits
sioners abroad to the end that the same
n.ay be laid before foreign Governments:
Manifesto 6y The Congress Of the Con-
tcderGte States Of america retative %
the Eristirg Var arih ne United
States
The Congress Of the Confederate States
of America, ack nnwlcdging their respon-
Eibiiity 70 the opinion of the civilized
world, to tile great law of christian phi
lantLropy. and to the Supreme Ruler of
the universe, for the part they have been
compelled 70 bear in the sad spectscle Of
war and carnage which this continent
has, for tile ias, three years. exhibited to
the eyes Of afflicted humanity, deems the
present : fitting occasion TO declare the
principles, tho sentiments and the pur-
poses, hy which they have been and sre
-till actuated
They have ever deeply deplored the
necessity which constrained them 10 take
arms in defence Of their rights and of the
free institutions derived from their an
cestors; and there il nothing thev more
ardently desire than peace, whatsoever
their enemy, by ceasing from the unhsl-
lowed war waged against them, shall per-
NIT them to enj joy IN peace the shrltering
protection Of those hereditary rights and
ofthose cherished Institutions Il hs series
Of successes with which it has pleased
God, in so signal 4 manner. to
bless our arms ON almost every point Of
our invaded border since the opening Of
the present campaign. enables y to pro
tess this desire OF peace III the interests
of civilization ana humanity, without
danger Q! having our motives misinter-
preted, or Of the declaration being ascrib-
ed 10 any unInanly sentiment or any dis
trust in our ability fully 10 maintain our
cause. The repeated and disastrous
checks, .0reshadowing utter discontinue,
which their gigantic army, directed
against the capital Of the Conf-daracv.
has already met with, are but con,inua-
ton of the same provideniial successes
for Ia. We do not refer 10 these sue
cesses in any spirit Of vain boasting. but
III humble acknowledgment OF that Al
mighty protection which h.s vouchsated
aud granted them.
The world must now see that eight
millions Of people, inhabiting I'D exien-
sive a territory, with suoh varied rnsour-
ces and such numerous facilities for de-
fence as the benign bounty Of nature has
bestowed upon US, nnd animated with
one spirit - encounter every privatiOn
aud sacrifice Of ease. OF health, of pro-
perry, Of life itself. rather than tie de-
graded from the condition Of free and in
dependent States INTO which they were
ho!n, can never be conquered. VIII not
ouI alvtrsAries themselves begin to feel
that humanity has bled long enough; that
tears and blood and treasure enough have
been expended in hootless undertaking.
covering their own land. no less than
ours, with a pal! Of mourning, and expoz-
ing them iaI more than ourselves tn the
OF financial exhaustion and
bankruptcy, not to speak Of the loss Of
their liberties BY the despntisrn engen-
dered in an aggressive warfare upon The
Liberties OF another and kindred people
Will they be willing. by longer psrse
vcrance in 4 wRnton and hopeless con-
test, 10 make this continent, which they
so long boastrd to BE- the chosen abode
n liberty and self government. of peace
aud a higher civilization, ths theatre of
the most causeless and prodigal efusinn
If blood which the world has ever Seen,
of virtual relapse into thc harbaGi5ln of
< hs rrlGrr ages, and Of Tile destruction oil
freedom by the la-Flessness
Of usurped powsrl
These are questions which our adver-
saries will decide far themselves. We
desire to stand acquitted before the tri-
bunal Of The world, as well az in the eyes
of Omniscient Justice, Of any RESPONSE
bility for the origin or prolongstion of
war as contrary 70 tie spirit Of the age
Al t1 the traditions and the acknowledged
Inaxims Of tie political system Of Ame-
rica.
On this continent. whatever opinion
may have prevailed elsewhere, it has
ever been held and acknowledged hv All
parties that government, 10 te lawful,
must be founded on the consent Of the
governed. We were forced TO dissolve
our federal connection with our former
associates, by their expressions on the
principles Of our compact Of
union with them; and in doing 81, we
exercised right consecra:ed in the great
charter of American liberiy-ihe right OF
a free people, when government proves
destructive of the ends for which i. was
TO reclr 10 original r,rIr1r -