8 The Civil War and Reconstruction Eras
upon the interchange of these commodities. Th ere can, however, be
but little rivalry between ours and any manufacturing or navigat-
ing community, such as the Northeastern States of the American
Union.
4
It must follow, therefore, that mutual interest will invite to
good will and kind offi ces on both parts. If, however, passion or lust
of dominion should cloud the judgment or infl ame the ambition of
those States, we must prepare to meet the emergency and maintain,
by the fi nal arbitrament of the sword, the position which we have
assumed among the nations of the earth.
We have entered upon the career of independence, and it must be
infl exibly pursued. Th rough many years of controversy with our late
associates of the Northern States, we have vainly endeavored to
secure tranquillity and obtain respect for the rights to which we were
entitled. As a necessity, not a choice, we have resorted to the remedy
of separation, and henceforth our energies must be directed to the
conduct of our own aff airs, and the perpetuity of the Confederacy
which we have formed. If a just perception of mutual interest shall
permit us peaceably to pursue our separate political career, my most
earnest desire will have been fulfi lled. But if this be denied to us,
and the integrity of our territory and jurisdiction be assailed, it will
but remain for us with fi rm resolve to appeal to arms and invoke the
blessing of Providence on a just cause.
As a consequence of our new condition and relations, and with a
view to meet anticipated wants, it will be necessary to provide for
the speedy and effi cient organization of branches of the Executive
department having special charge of foreign intercourse, fi nance,
military aff airs, 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 condi-
tion of aff airs, that there should be a well-instructed and disciplined
army, more numerous than would usually be required on a peace
establishment.
5
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. But this, as well as other subjects appropriate to our
necessities, have doubtless engaged the attention of Congress.
With a Constitution diff ering only from that of our fathers in so
far as it is explanatory of their well-known intent, freed from sec-
tional confl icts, which have interfered with the pursuit of the general
5 Although confederations chiefl y depend
on component states to raise military forces,
Davis recognized that it would be necessary
to raise a collective force to deal with the
likelihood of war.
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