When, in after times, the passions of the day shall have subsided, and
all the evidence shall have been collected and compared, the
philosophical inquirer, who asks why the majority of the stronger
section invaded the peaceful homes of their late associates, will be
answered by History: "The lust of empire impelled them to wage against
their weaker neighbors a war of subjugation."
CHAPTER V.
Meeting of the Provisional Congress of the Confederate
States.--Adoption of a Provisional Constitution.--Election of
President and Vice-President.--Notification to the Author of his
Election.--His Views with Regard to it.--Journey to
Montgomery.--Interview with Judge Sharkey.--False Reports of
Speeches on the Way.--Inaugural Address.--Editor's Note.
The congress of delegates from the seceding States convened at
Montgomery, Alabama, according to appointment, on the 4th of February,
1861. Their first work was to prepare a provisional Constitution for the
new Confederacy, to be formed of the States which had withdrawn from the
Union, for which the style "Confederate States of America" was adopted.
The powers conferred upon them were adequate for the performance of this
duty, the immediate necessity for which was obvious and urgent. This
Constitution was adopted on the 8th of February, to continue in force
for one year, unless superseded at an earlier date by a permanent
organization.
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