The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-10-06
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
M MR.. DdyJS WIEN INsT5LLED As
THE CONFEDERACr'S President.
FuII Text of nj. Famous Specch-Thc
Right of Secession Maintained-suS-
Cestions as to Movements.

|
jefferson Davis, delivered at Montgomery
Ala. April rs, 1861. when he was installed
| as president Of The provisional govern
ment Of the Confederate States. VIII
prove interesting reading at this time,
| I'm view Of the recent military celebrations
at Chickamausa and elsewhere. II VIII
be noticed that Mr.. Davis used the "a
nous phrase, public Offices are public
trusts" the authorship Of which has been
attributed by many people to Grover
Cleveland. which was used in his letter
accepting the Democratic nomination IN
1884.
Gentlemen OF the Congress Of the Con
| fedcrate States OF America. Friends, ana
| Fellow itizens-Called 10 the diiilcult
and responsible station Of chief executive
/ Of the provisional government which
you have instituted. [ approach the dis
charge Of the duties assigned 10 me with
an humble distrust OF my abilities, but
with q sustaining confidence in the Wis
| dom Of those who are TO guide and ala
! me IN the administration Of public affairs
and in abiding faith IN the virtue and
patriotism Of the people
! Looking forward to the speedy estab-
lishment of a permanent governuent 10
! take the place Of this, ana which, by IT.
| greater moral and physical power,
! will be better able 10 combat with
| the many difficulties which arise from
the conflicting interests Of separate ma
tons. ! enter upon the duties OF the
office to which / have been chosen with
| the hope that the beginning OF our ca
reer as a Confedcracy may not be OBJ
| structeG 10y hostile opposition to our en-
! joymont of the separate existence and IN
| dependence which We have asserted, and
with the blessing Of Providence, intend
, TO maintain.
! Our present condition. achieved in
manner unprecedented in the history Of
nations illustrates the American idea
| that government rests Ipon the consent
of the people 10 alter or abolish govern
| meits whenever they become destructive
Of the ends for which they were essab-
lished.
The declared purpose Of the compact Of
union from which we have withdrawn,
was "to establish justice, ms domestic
| tranquility, provide for the common de-
fence. promote the general welfare, ana
secure the blessings OF liberty 10 our
selves and postcrity, and when, IN the
judgment Of the sovereign states now
composing this conft deracy, II had per-
vorted from the purposes for which IL
the ends for which IL was established.
peaceful appeal TO the ballot box, de-
clared. that so far as they were con-
cerned the government crea.cd by that
compact should cease TO exist. in this
they merely asserted a right which the
Declaration tOf Independence Of ING mad
defined to be inalienable. OF the time
and occasion for its exercise they, as
soveregns, were the final judges, each
for itself.
The impartial and enlightened verdict
Of mankind viii yindicate the rectitude
Of our conduct, and He who knows the
hearts of men will judge Of the sincerity
with which we labored to preserve the
government of oLr fathers in proper
spirit The right solemnly proclaimed
at the birth OF the States. and which has
been affirmed and reafiirmed i'm the pil.s
Of rights Of States subsequently, ADMIT
ted into he Union Of 1889 undeniably rec
orgnizes in the people the power TO re-
sumo the authority delegated for the pur-
poses Of government, Thus the sover-
eign States here represented proceeded
to form this confoderacy, and IL is by
abuse Of language that their act has
been denOninated revolution. They
formed new alliance. but within each
state its government has remained ana
the rights of person and property have
not been disturbed. The agent. through
whom they communicated with foreign
naions is 'cl angcd. but this does not
necessarily interrupt their international
relations.
Sustained by the consciousness that the
transition from a former union 10 the
present confederacy has not 'roceeded
from a disregard on our part o. just OH
legations or any failure to perform any
Inv fu 81
OF passion to invade the rights Of Others
anxious TO cultivate peace and commerce
with all nations. IL We may nope % avoid
war We may at least expect that nostcri-
~ will acquit as OF having needlessly en-
gagged I'm il.
Doubly justified 10y the absence or
wrong on our part and by wanion as-
preston on the part OF others. there can
be no cause 10 doubt that the courage
and patriotism Of the people of the Con-
tolerate States viii bee found equal TO
any measures of defence wrlch honor
and security may require.
An agricultural people whose chief
interest is the export Of q commodity re-
quired i'm every manufacturing country,
our true policy is peace and the ifeest
trade which our necessities viii permit
IL rs alike cur interest, and that OF all
those TO whom we would sell and from
whom we would buy, that there shodld
boz tho fewtst practicable restrictions
unon an Interchange OF commodities.
There can be but little rivalry between
ours and any manufacturing or navi-
eating community. such as the North
eastern States OF the American tn.onA
IL must follow. therefore, that mutual
interest would invite goodwill and Kind
Offices.
II. however passion or the lust Of do
minion should cloud the judgment or in
flame the ambition Of those states, We
must prepare TO meet the emergency, ana
10 maintrin b. the final a'bitramrdt OF
the sword. the position which we have
assumed among the nations Of the earth.
We have entered upon the career OF In
dependence and ii must be .niieXibly pur-
sued.
Through many years OF controversy
with our late associates. the Northern
States. we have vainly endeayored - Sc
cure tranquility and 10 obtain respect
for The rights to which We we're entitled.
As a necesslN not a choice. We have
resorted 10 the remedy of separationi
and hcnccfOrth our energies must be d.
rcctcd To the conduct of our own affairs
AMI the perpetuity of the Coniedcracy
which we have formed. If a just per-
ception of mutual interest shall permit us
peacoably to pursue our separate poiticai
career. my most earnest desire will have
been fulfilled. but If this be denied 20 MS.
and the integrity Of our territory ana
jurisdiction be assailed. II viii but re-
main for us with firm resolve to appear