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
The tyranny of an unbridled majority, the most odious and least
responsible form of despotism, has denied us both the right and the
remedy. Therefore we are in arms to renew such sacrifices as our
fathers made to the holy cause of constitutional liberty. At the
darkest hour of our struggle, the provisional gives place to the
permanent government. After a series of successes and victories, which
covered our arms with glory, we have recently met with serious
disasters. But, in the heart of a people resolved to be free, these
disasters tend but to stimulate to increased resistance.
To show ourselves worthy of the inheritance bequeathed to us by the
patriots of the Revolution, we must emulate that heroic devotion which
made reverse to them but the crucible in which their patriotism was
refined.
With confidence in the wisdom and virtue of those who will share with
me the responsibility, and aid me in the conduct of public affairs;
securely relying on the patriotism and courage of the people, of which
the present war has furnished so many examples, I deeply feel the
weight of the responsibilities I now, with unaffected diffidence, am
about to assume; and, fully realizing the inadequacy of human power to
guide and to sustain, my hope is reverently fixed on Him, whose favor
is ever vouchsafed to the cause which is just. With humble gratitude
and adoration, acknowledging the Providence which has so visibly
protected the Confederacy during its brief but eventful career, to
Thee, O God! I trustingly commit myself, and prayerfully invoke Thy
blessing on my country and its cause.
The effect of this address upon the public was electrical. The anxious and
dispirited assemblage, which, for more than an hour previous to the
arrival of the President, had braved the inclement sky and traversed the
almost impassable avenues of Capitol Square, in eager longing for
re-assuring words from him upon whose courage and will so much depended,
was not disappointed. A consciousness of a burden removed, of doubts
dispelled, of the re-assured feeling, which comes with strengthened
conviction that confidence has not been misplaced, animated and thrilled
the crowd as it caught the impressive tones and gestures of the speaker.
In the memory of every beholder must forever dwell the imposing presence
of Mr. Davis, as, with uplifted hands, he pronounced the beautiful and
appropriate petition to Providence, which forms the peroration.
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Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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