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peculiar institutions-African slavery as it exists among us-the proper status of the negro in our form of civilization. This was the immediate cause of the late rupture and present revolution. Jefferson, in his forecast, had anticipated this, as the rock upon which the old Union would split.' He was right. What was conjecture with him, is now a realized fact. But whether he fully comprehended the great truth upon which that rock stood and stands, may be doubted. The prevailing ideas entertained by him and most of the leading statesmen at the time of the formation of the old Constitution were, that the enslavement of the African was in violation of the laws of nature; that it was wrong in principle, socially, morally, and politically. It was an evil they knew not well how to deal with; but the general opinion of the men of that day was, that, somehow or other, in the order of Providence, the institution would be evanescent and pass away. This idea, though not incorporated in the Constitution, was the prevailing idea at the time. The Constitution, it is true, secured every essential guarantee to the institution while it should last, and hence no argument can be justly used against the constitutional guarantees thus secured, because of the common sentiment of the day. Those ideas, however, were fundamentally wrong. They rested upon the assumption of the equality of races. This was an error. It was a sandy foundation, and the idea of a Government built upon it was wrong-when the 'storm came and the wind blew, it fell.'

"Our new Government is founded upon exactly the opposite ideas; its foundations are laid, its corner-stone rests upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery, subordination to the superior race, is his natural and moral condition. This, our new Government, is the first in the history of the world, based upon this great physical, philosophical, and moral truth. This truth has been slow in the process of its development, like all other truths in the various departments of science. It is so even amongst us. Many who hear me, perhaps, can recollect well that this truth was not generally admitted, even within their day. The errors of the past generation still clung to many as late as twenty years ago. Those at the North who still cling to these errors with a zeal above knowledge, we justly denominate fanatics. All fanaticism springs from an aberration of the mind; from a defect in reasoning. It is a species of insanity. One of the most striking characteristics of insanity, in many instances, is forming correct conclusions from fancied or erroneous premises; so with the anti-slavery fanatics: their conclusions are right if their premises are. They as sume that the negro is equal, and hence conclude that he is entitled to equal privileges and rights with the white man. If their premises were correct, their conclusions would be logical and just; but their premises being wrong, their

whole argument fails. I recollect once of haying heard a gentleman from one of the Northern States, of great power and ability, announce in the House of Representatives, with imposing effect, that we of the South would be compelled, ultimately, to yield upon this subject of slavery; that it was as impossible to war successfully against a principle in politics, as it was in physics or mechanics. That the principle would ultimately prevail. That we, in maintaining slavery as it exists with us, were warring against a principle-a principle founded in nature, the principle of the equality of man. The reply I made to him was, that upon his own grounds we should succeed, and that he and his associates in their crusade against our institutions would ultimately fail. The truth announced, that it was as impossible to war successfully against a principle in politics as well as in physics and mechanics, I admitted, but told him that it was he and those acting with him who were warring against a principle. They were attempting to make things equal which the Creator had made unequal.

"In the conflict thus far, success has been on our side, complete throughout the length and breadth of the Confederate States. It is upon this, as I have stated, our social fabric is firmly planted; and I cannot permit myself to doubt the ultimate success of a full recognition of this principle throughout the civilized and enlightened world.

"As I have stated, the truth of this principle may be slow in development, as all truths are, and ever have been, in the various branches of science. It was so with the principles announced by Galileo-it was so with Adam Smith and his principles of political economy. It was so with Harvey, and his theory of the circulation of the blood. It is stated that not a single one of the medical profession, living at the time of the announcement of the truths made by him, admitted them. Now they are universally acknowledged. May we not therefore look with confidence to the ultimate universal acknowledgment of the truths upon which our system rests? It is the first Government ever instituted upon principles in strict conformity to nature, and the ordination of Providence, in furnishing the materials of human society. Many Governments have been founded upon the principles of certain classes; but the classes thus enslaved, were of the same race, and in violation of the laws of nature. Our system commits no such violation of nature's laws. The negro by nature, or by the curse against Canaan, is fitted for that condition which he occupies in our system. The architect, in the construction of buildings, lays the foundation with the proper material-the granite-then comes the brick or the marble. The substratum of our society is made of the material fitted by nature for it, and by experience we know that it is the best, not only for the superior but for the inferior race, that it should be so. It is, indeed, in conformity with the

Creator. It is not for us to inquire into the wisdom of His ordinances or to question them. For His own purposes He has made one race to differ from another as He has made 'one star differ from another in glory.'

"The great objects of humanity are best attained, when conformed to his laws and decrees, in the formation of Governments as well as in all things else. Our Confederacy is founded upon principles in strict conformity with these laws. This stone which was rejected by the first builders, 'is become the chief stone of the corner' in our new edifice.

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"I have been asked, what of the future? has been apprehended by some, that we would have arrayed against us the civilized world. care not who or how many they may be, when we stand upon the eternal principles of truth we are obliged and must triumph.

"Thousands of people, who begin to understand these truths, are not yet completely out of the shell; they do not see them in their length and breadth. We hear much of the civilization and Christianization of the barbarous tribes of Africa. In my judgment, those ends will never be obtained but by first teaching them the lesson taught to Adam, that 'in the sweat of thy brow shalt thou eat bread, and teaching them to work, and feed, and clothe themselves.

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"But to pass on. Some have propounded the inquiry, whether it is practicable for us to go on with the Confederacy without further accessions. Have we the means and ability to maintain nationality among the powers of the earth? On this point I would barely say, that as anxious as we all have been, and are, for the Border States, with institutions similar with ours, to join us, still we are abundantly able to maintain our position, even if they should ultimately make up their minds not to cast their destiny with ours. That they ultimately will join us, be compelled to do it, is my confident belief; but we can get on very well without them, even if they should not.

"We have all the essential elements of a high national career. The idea has been given out at the North, and even in the Border States, that we are too small and too weak to maintain a separate nationality. This is a great mistake. In extent of territory we embrace 564,000 square miles and upwards. This is upwards of 200,000 square miles more than was included within the limits of the original thirteen States. It is an area of country more than double the territory of France or the Austrian Empire. France, in round numbers, has but 212,000 square miles. Austria, in round numbers, has 248,000 square miles. Ours is greater than both combined. It is greater than all France, Spain, Portugal, and Great Britain, including England, Ireland, and Scotland together. In population we have upwards of 5,000,000, according to the census of 1860; this includes white and black. The entire population, including white and black, of the origi

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Georgia.
Louisiana..
Mississippi.

North Carolina.
South Carolina..
Tennessee
Texas..

Virginia.

1,047,618 57,574 490,887

On the 12th of February the Congress assumed charge of the questions pending between the several States of the Confederacy and the Government of the United States, relating to the occupation of forts, arsenals, dockyards, and other public establishments, and directed that act to be communicated to the several States; and, again, on the 15th of March, they recommended the several States to cede the forts, arsenals, dockyards, and other public establishments within their respective limits, to the Confederate States, and in case of such cession, authorized and empowered the Presi dent to take charge of this property. It was also provided, by an act passed on the 28th of February, that the President be authorized and directed to assume control of all military operations between the Confederate States, or any of them, and powers foreign to them; and he was authorized to receive from the. several States the arms and munitions of war acquired from the United States, and then in the forts, arsenals, and navy yards of said States, and all other arms and munitions which they might desire to turn over and make chargeable to the Confederate Government.

In response to these ordinances, the State of Georgia, on the 20th of March, authorized the Confederate States to occupy, use, and hold possession of all forts, navy yards, arsenals, custom-houses, and other public sites, with their appurtenances, within the limits of said State, and lately in possession of the United States, and to repair, rebuild, and control the same at its discretion until the ordinance should be repealed by a Convention of the people of that State. By another ordinance of the same date and authority, the control of all military operations in that State having reference to or connected with questions between that State, or any of the Confederate States, and powers foreign to them, was transferred to the charge of the Confederate Government. In like manner, the arms and munitions of war, armed vessels and steamers, acquired from the United

States, were transferred to the Confederate Government, which thereupon became accountable for the same.

In like manner South Carolina transferred the public property seized from the United States by her authorities to the Confederate Government. This was done on the 8th of April.

Texas transferred the same within her limits on the 20th of March.

Subsequently Arkansas transferred the arsenal at Little Rock, and the site, buildings, and appurtenances of the hospital at Napoleon, subject to certain conditions and stipulations. The States of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, and North Carolina pursued the same course. Mississippi transferred also the arms obtained by purchase before her secession. These were sufficient to supply ten or eleven regiments.

Early in the month of March commissioners were sent to England, France, Russia, and Belgium, to ask the recognition of the Confederate States as a member of the family of nations, and to make with each of those powers treaties of amity and commerce. These appointments were made and the instructions given in pursuance of resolutions adopted at the previous session of Congress.

Commissioners were also sent to Washington, who arrived at that city on the 5th of March. They were John Forsyth, Martin J. Crawford, and A. B. Roman, appointed under a resolution of Congress requesting it, and for the purpose of making a settlement of all questions of disagreement between the Government of the United States and that of the Confederate States " upon principles of right, justice, equity, and good faith." Upon the arrival of the commissioners at Washington, an informal notice was given to the Secretary of State, and the explanation of the object of their mission was postponed to the 12th of March. On that day they addressed Secretary Seward, informing him of the purpose of their arrival, and stating their wish to make to the Government of the United States overtures for the opening of negotiations, and assuring that Government that the President, Congress, and people of the Confederate States desired a peaceful solution of the questions of disagreement between them; and that it was neither their interest nor their wish to make any demand which was not founded on the strictest principles of justice, nor to do any act of injury to their late sister States.

A memorandum, bearing date March 15th, was delivered, as the reply to this communication, on the 8th of April, and then upon the request of the secretary of the commissioners, for an answer to their note. This length of time was permitted to elapse by the commissioners, who waived all questions of form with the design of avoiding war if possible. For the details of this correspondence see UNITED STATES. All negotiation upon the basis on which the

commissioners desired to place it, failed. Official intercourse with them was declined by Secretary Seward.

Meantime the Government of the Confederacy was becoming more completely organized. All the courts, with the exception of those of Mississippi and Texas, had been organized by the appointment of marshals and district attorneys, and were prepared for the exercise of their functions. The applications for patents averaged seventy per month, although the laws fully organizing the department had not been enacted. Regulations were devised and put in execution, respecting the collection of revenue on goods brought by the various railways entering the territory of the Confederate States. These were carried into effect as early as the 20th of March. The Circular of Instructions of Secretary Memminger, provides for the location of revenue stations near the frontier of the Confederate States. At each station an officer was appointed, to act as a "revenue guard," whose duties were of a supervisory nature over all merchandise introduced. "Revenue depots" were also established, each having a chief officer, with all the powers of collectors of the customs over importations by sea at ports of entry. The circular thus prescribes the duties of the officers:

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"Immediately on the arrival of any railroad carriage or train, from any foreign territory contiguous to the Confederate States, at any of the revenue stations, the conductor or other person in charge shall be required to produce to the revenue guard at the first station, a manifest in triplicate of all the goods, wares, or merchandise brought into the Confederate States on board such railway carriage or train. And it is made the duty of the revenue guard, at the revenue station, to board all railway trains arriving at said station, from said foreign territory, at all hours of the day and night, to receive the manifest, and on its presentation to see that the goods described therein are placed in separate cars from those in which mails or passengers are conveyed, and to place on each of said freight cars revenue locks of the Confederate States of America. The original manifest, properly certified, shall be returned to the conductor, and a duplicate forwarded, under seal, to the revenue officer at the first revenue depot to which the cars are destined by the shortest route.

"On the arrival of the railway train or cars at the first revenue depot within the limits of the Confederate States, the conductor shall deliver to the chief revenue officer residing thereat, the original manifest presented to and endorsed with the certificate of the revenue guard at the station aforesaid, and also deliver to the said chief revenue officer all the merchandise described in said manifest, by either leaving at said depot all the locked cars containing the same, or depositing said goods in a warehouse of deposit at said depot, to be provided for that purpose, under the regulations now

governing bonded warehouses, or as may be otherwise provided. On such delivery being made and an examination being instituted of the train by said revenue officer, he shall, if satisfied that all the merchandise has been delivered, furnish to the conductor or other person in charge of the train, a permit to proceed to a further destination.

"The baggage of all passengers passing over the railroad routes, on arrival at the revenue station or depots, shall be subject to the inspection and examination of either the revenue guard at such stations, or revenue officer at such revenue depots; and any baggage that may be intended to be landed at places between the revenue stations and first revenue depots, may be examined by the revenue guard, and if containing no articles subject to duty, shall be landed at the intermediate place named, by having a permit, signed by the said revenue guard, pasted permanently on the trunk, valise, carpet-bag, or other envelope of such baggage.

"Should, however, dutiable articles be found in such baggage, the trunk or other package containing the same must be placed in the car with the merchandise, and under the revenue lock as before required, and the fact noticed in the manifest. And such baggage shall be delivered, with the other merchandise, to the chief revenue officer at the revenue depot, under the foregoing regulations.

plated. Affairs were, however, rapidly approach ing a crisis. The curtain was about to be raised, which would exhibit in all their magnitude and dreadful reality the consequences which secession was about to bring upon the Confederate States.

The Commissioners to Washington were refused an audience. The United States Government had prepared to send supplies to the handful of troops besieged in Fort Sumter. Notice of this intention was given to the Governor of South Carolina, and if the Confederate Government was in earnest in what had been done, the hour had come when the sword must be drawn. Its determination was soon taken, and its action quickly followed.

On the 8th of April, the following telegraphic correspondence commenced between the Secretary of War for the Confederate States and the Commander of the Confederate forces at Charleston harbor:

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MONTGOMERY, 10th.

Gen. G. T. Beauregard, Charleston:

If you have no doubt of the authorized character of the agent who communicated to you the intention of the Washington Government to supply Fort Sumter by force, you will at once demand its evacuation; and determine, to reduce it. Answer.

"Passenger baggage destined for places be- if this is refused, proceed in such a manner as you may

yond or more interior than the revenue depot, must be examined by the chief revenue officer at said revenue depot; and if they are found not to contain any merchandise subject to duty, may pass to their destination by having a permit, signed by the chief revenue officer, pasted thereon. Should, however, such baggage contain dutiable merchandise, the trunks or other package in which said baggage is contained, shall be deposited at said revenue depot."

The civil list passed by Congress, at its first session, placed the amount of appropriations for this class of objects within very moderate bounds. The items of the act were of the following proportions for each department of the Government:

"Legislative, $55,740; Executive, $33,050; Department of State, $44,200; Treasury Department, $70,800; War Department, $59,000; Navy Department, $17,300; Post-Office Department, $44,900; Judiciary, $63,200; Mint and Independent Treasury, $80,000; Foreign Intercourse, $100,000; Light-houses, $150,000; Expenses of Collecting Revenue, $545,000; Executive Mansion, $5,000; Miscellaneous, $200,000; Total, $1,468,190."

This does not embrace the aggregate for general purposes. A single bill appropriates $1,323,767, for the equipment and support of three thousand troops for twelve months. Other bills appropriated for general purposes equally large amounts, but the gigantic expenditures which were at hand, were not then contem

L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War.
CHARLESTON, April 10.
L. P. Walker, Secretary of War:
The demand will be made to-morrow at twelve
o'clock.
G. T. BEAUREGARD.

MONTGOMERY, April 10.

General Beauregard, Charleston:
your own condition, it is considered proper that you
Unless there are especial reasons connected with

should make the demand at an early hour.
L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War.

CHARLESTON, April 10.

L. P. Walker, Secretary of War:
The reasons are special for twelve o'clock.
G. T. BEAUREGARD.
CHARLESTON, April 11, 1861.

To Hon. L. P. Walker :

The demand was sent at 2 P. M., and until 6 we
allowed for the answer. G. T. BEAUREGARD.
MONTGOMERY, April 11, 1861.
General Beauregard, Charleston:
Telegraph the reply of Major Anderson.

To Hon. L. P. Walker:

L. P. WALKER. CHARLESTON, April 11, 1861.

knowledge the receipt of your communication demand-
Major Anderson replies: "I have the honor to ac-
ing the evacuation of this fort, and to say in reply
thereto that it is a demand with which I regret that
my sense of honor and of my obligation to my Govern-
"I will await the first shot, and, if you do not batter
ment prevent my compliance." He adds, verbally,
us to pieces, we will be starved out in a few days."
G. T. BEAUREGARD.

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The fire opened at 4.80 A. M. on the 12th of April on Fort Sumter, resulted in compelling the commander of the fort to surrender. (See SUMTER.) On the evening of the same day, when the people of Montgomery, Alabama, were rejoicing in the prospect that Fort Sumter would fall, the following telegraphic despatch was sent forth from that city to all parts of the United States:

"MONTGOMERY, FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 1861.-An immense crowd serenaded President Davis and Secretary Walker, at the Exchange Hotel, tonight.

"The former is not well, and did not appear. Secretary Walker appeared and declined to make a speech, but in a few words of electrical eloquence told the news from Fort Sumter, declaring, in conclusion, that before many hours the flag of the Confederacy would float over that fortress.

"No man, he said, could tell where the war this day commenced would end, but he would prophesy that the flag which now flaunts the breeze here would float over the dome of the old Capitol at Washington before the first of May. Let them try Southern chivalry and test the extent of Southern resources, and it might float eventually over Faneuil Hall itself."

On the 15th of April, immediately after the surrender of Fort Sumter, President Lincoln issued his message, calling forth the militia of the several States of the Union to the aggregate number of seventy-five thousand. This was immediately after an act of hostility had been committed under the authority of the Confederate Government, and forty days after an act had passed the Confederate Congress authorizing a force of one hundred thousand men to be raised.

Who commenced hostilities, is a question which must be considered as decided. "The war this day commenced," says the Secretary of War of the Confederate States. "We opened fire at 4.30 A. M.," says General Beauregard, in his despatch to the Secretary of War of the Confederate States, dated April 12th. Hostilities were commenced by order of the Govern ment of the Confederate States. For this act

President Davis felt it to be necessary to present to the world some grounds of justification. This he attempted to do in his message to the Confederate Congress, dated April 29th. In that document he states that commissioners from the Confederate States arrived in Washington on the 15th of March, authorized in a peaceful manner to adjust all questions between the two Governments. He states their communication addressed to Secretary Seward on the 12th of March, and proceeds thus:

"To this communication no formal reply was received until the 8th of April. During the interval, the commissioners had consented to waive all questions of form, with the firm resolve to avoid war if possible. They went so far even as to hold, during that long period, unofficial intercourse through an intermediary, whose high position and character inspired the hope of success, and through whom constant assurances were received from the Government of the United States of its peaceful intentions— of its determination to evacuate Fort Sumter, and further, that no measure would be introduced changing the existing status prejudicial to the Confederate States; that in the event of any change in regard to Fort Pickens, notice would be given to the commissioners.

"The crooked paths of diplomacy can scarcely furnish an example so wanting in courtesy, in candor, in directness, as was the course of the United States Government towards our commissioners in Washington. For proof of this I refer to the annexed documents, taken in connection with further facts, which I now proceed to relate:

“Early in April the attention of the whole country was attracted to extraordinary preparations for an extensive military and naval expedition in New York and other Northern ports. These preparations commenced in secrecy, for an expedition whose destination was concealed, and only became known when nearly completed; and on the 5th, 6th, and 7th of April, transports and vessels of war with troops, munitions, and military supplies, sailed from northern ports, bound southward.

"Alarmed by so extraordinary a demonstration, the commissioners requested the delivery of an answer to their official communication of the 12th of March, and the reply dated on the 15th of the previous month, from which it appears that during the whole interval, whilst the commissioners were receiving assurances calculated to inspire hope of the success of their mission, the Secretary of State and the President of the United States had already determined to hold no intercourse with them whatever-to refuse even to listen to any proposals they had to make, and had profited by the delay created by their own assurances, in order to prepare secretly the means for effective hostile operations.

"That these assurances were given has been virtually confessed by the Government of the United States, by its act of sending a messenger

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