The Life of Jefferson DavisAlfriend, Frank H. (Frank Heath)
History
The Life of Jefferson Davis
Alfriend, Frank H. (Frank Heath)
Confederate States of America; Davis, Jefferson, 1808-1889; United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
resolve, to appeal to arms and invoke the blessings of Providence on a
just cause.
As a consequence of our new condition, and with a view to meet
anticipated wants, it will be necessary to provide for the speedy and
efficient organization of branches of the Executive Department,
having special charge of foreign intercourse, finance, military
affairs, and the postal service.
For purposes of defense, the Confederate States may, under ordinary
circumstances, rely mainly upon the militia; but it is deemed
advisable, in the present condition of affairs, that there should be a
well-instructed and disciplined army, more numerous than would usually
be required on a peace establishment. I also suggest that, for the
protection of our harbors and commerce on the high seas, a navy
adapted to those objects will be required. These necessities have
doubtless engaged the attention of Congress.
With a Constitution differing only from that of our fathers, in so far
as it is explanatory of their well-known intent, freed from the
sectional conflicts which have interfered with the pursuit of the
general welfare, it is not unreasonable to expect that States, from
which we have recently parted, may seek to unite their fortunes with
ours under the government which we have instituted. For this your
Constitution makes adequate provision; but beyond this, if I mistake
not the judgment and will of the people, a reunion with the States
from which we have separated is neither practicable nor desirable. To
increase the power, develop the resources, and promote the happiness
of the Confederacy, it is requisite that there should be so much of
homogeneity that the welfare of every portion shall be the aim of the
whole. Where this does not exist, antagonisms are engendered which
must and should result in separation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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