STATES OF AMER- 

 ICA. In 1860 and 1861 eleven of the Southern 

 states of the American Union withdrew from 

 the United States and organized a govern- 

 ment of their own, which they called the 

 CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA. South Caro- 

 lina took the lead in the movement, passing 

 its ordinance of secession December 20, 1860. 

 In January, 1861, four other states Missis- 

 sippi, Florida, Alabama and Georgia followed, 

 and February 1 Texas joined their ranks. 



This withdrawal from the Union was not a 

 new idea, neither had the thought always 

 been confined to the Southern states. It was 

 implied in the Kentucky and Virginia Reso- 

 lutions (which see), and also openly advocated 

 by the New England states during the War 

 of 1812. It was again brought forward in the 

 Nullification ordinance of South Carolina in 



CAPITOL BUILDING 



The building in Richmond which served as the 

 Confederacy's capltol. 



1832. In 1860 the idea was put into far-reach- 

 ing effect. (For causes, see WAR OF SECESSION). 

 Organization. On February 4, 1861, delegates 

 from the states that had then seceded met at 



Montgomery, Ala., and organized a provisional 

 government. This was changed to the per- 

 manent government when the Constitution was 

 adopted. Jefferson Davis of Mississippi was 

 elected President, and Alexander H. Stephens 

 of Georgia was chosen Vice-President, for one 

 year, and Montgomery was made the tempo- 

 rary capital. After Virginia joined the Con- 

 federacy the capital was removed to Rich- 

 mond. The Constitution was modeled after 

 that of the United States, but differed from it 

 in the following important particulars: 



1. The term of the President and Vice-Presi- 

 dent was fixed at six years, and the President 

 could not succeed himself. 



2. Members of the Cabinet were given seats in 

 Congress, with the privilege of debate but with- 

 out the right to vote. 



3. Foreign slave trade was prohibited, but slav- 

 ery was sanctioned. 



4. Congress was forbidden to make appropria- 

 tions for internal improvements, to levy a pro- 

 tective tariff or to give 'bounties. 



5. A two-thirds' vote of both houses of Con- 

 gress was necessary to admit a new state into 

 the Confederacy or to make appropriations not 

 asked for by the heads of departments through 

 the President. 



President Davis and Vice-President Stephens 

 were elected for a full term of six years be- 

 fore the expiration of their provisional term. 

 The first Cabinet was composed of six men, 

 remarkable for their foresight and . ability. 

 With the progress of events changes were made, 

 and during the life of the government a num- 

 ber of other names were added. The follow- 

 ing is a complete list of the members, with 

 the dates of their death: 



Judah P. Benjamin, Louisiana, Secretary of 

 State, died May 8, 1884 ; Charles G. Memminger, 

 South Carolina, Secretary of Treasury, died 

 March 7, 1888 ; George W. Randolph, Virginia, 

 Secretary of War, died April 10, 1878 ; Stephen 

 R. Mallory, Florida, Secretary of Navy, died No- 



