Secretary of the Navy, and John H. Reagan, Postmaster-General. Judah P. Benjamin was appointed Attorney- General. So was inaugurated the government known as the Confederate States of America, which carried on war against the life of our Republic for more than four years.
CHAPTER VII.
Lunacy-Yielding to Necessity-Wild Dreams of the Future-Boasting-The Confederates Prepare for War-Permanent Constitution Adopted-Adjournment of the Xlontgomery Convention-Principles of the New Government Expounded-Lincoln and DavisLincoln's journey to the Capital-Narrative of His Escape-His Inauguration and Inaugural Address-Duties of the Administration -Condition of the Army and Navy-Benton's Prophecy-Confederate Commissioners at the Capital-The Virginians-Attemp to Relieve Fort Sumter and the Result.
THERE were symptoms of real lunacy among some of the leaders in the revolutionary movement, especially in South Carolina. When that new "nation " was only nine days old, a correspondent of the Associated Press wrote that it had been proposed to adopt for it a new  system of civil time, to show its independence. Only a week after the organization of the Southern Confederacy at Montgomery, the editor of the Charleston Courier wrote: "The South might, under the new Confederacy, treat the disorganized and demoralized Northern States as insurgents, and deny them recognition. But if peaceful division ensues, the South, after taking the Federal Capitol and archives, and being recognized as the government de facto by all foreign powers, can, if they see proper, recognize the Northern Confederacy or Confederacies, and enter into treaty stipulations with them. Were this not done, it would be difficult for the Northern States to take a place among the nations, and their flag would not be respected or recognized. There was much "wild talk" of that sort; and the venerable James L. Pettigru of Charleston, who remained a firm friend of the Union in spite of the mad men around him, was justified when, on being asked by a stranger in the streets of the city, "Where is the lunatic asylum?" he said, as he pointed alternately to the east, "It is there;" to the west, "It is there;" to the north, "It is there;" and to the south, "It is there; the whole State of South Carolina is a lunatic asylum."
Notwithstanding the same arrogant and world-defying spirit was superficially manifested in the councils of the Confederacy at Montgomery, they were compelled to bow to the behests of prudence and expediency, and, abandoning the position that they would have free trade with all the world whereby the riches of the earth would fall at their feet, they proceeded not only to impose a tariff upon imports, but regarding " King Cotton " as immortal and omniscient, they even went so far as to propose an export duty on the great staple of the Gulf States. Howell Cobb, who proposed it, said: "I apprehend that we are conscious of the power we hold in our hands, by reason of our producing that staple so necessary to the
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