Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1860-10-19
A PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT

For the Southern States.

a frONislOnal Government OF tnt southern states
has actually been sketced out and extensively cir
cplatcdI We deferred to this fact last week in our
review Of Mr.. Breckinridges speech, and we give
this morning the document itself entire, There are
very few, comparatively speaking of the patriotic
masses Of the South the planters, merchants, me-
chanics, etc, who are fully aware TO what lengths
the reasonable fanatiesm OF restless spirits has
reached Fanaticsm in the South has almost kept
pace with fanaticism in the North and it was high
time when this great Constitutional conservative
movement was inaugurated, that the sober and re-
liable men in every portion of the country who
we're the institutions left them by their great patr-
otic sires had risen in their might and laid their
right hands upon this ncendary and deyilish spirit
of havoc and destruction--a spirit that tramples
alike upon the laws of God and man. and in its
blind and infurate recklessness would turn this
peaceful land of ours this priceless patrimony that
has been bequeathed to us for ourselves and our
children, and for mankind at large this glorious in
heritance that has been the theme ol eulogiums
from tho great and the good the world over, into a
dreary and n frightful desert, a very pandemonium
of unclcan spirits and the toling millions that now
dwell together in unity under their own vine and
fig trees with interruptions 80 slight as scarcely to
be worthy to be taken into consideration, into
al hyenas preying upon each other until the very
trees and stones should sweat blood and tears.
This plan for a Provisional Government for the
Southern States which we give below, is an cnla-
nation worthy of the spirit that gave it birth. 1t
originated in the dark Its authors were ashamed
of their work, and could not, reckless and desper-
ate as they may have been, muster up coura,
enough to fix their signatures TO the work of their
hands. They sent it forth into the world alone
They evidently put it forth a feeler, and
cles around which they hoped yagabondry and f,-
naticism would rally with insane and exultant
shouts of delight. They expected manifestly, that
the moral vulures would snuff the carnage and the
carriou from afar, and flock upon eager wing to the
promised repas. Where the precious productions
were printed we have no means of knowing Suf-
fee it to say, that copy of it came to us through
the postofice about eighteen months ago, and has
already been given to the public in some of the
public prints, but never before in this paper. Ta-
ken in connection with well known events that
have since transpired, and with sentiments that are
boldly avowed by many leading men and public
journals, it is highly suggestive document and
will Je read with little inte est. 1t isyery in
niously written but its sophistry not sufficient to
conceal its reasonable spirit. Here Il is;
Pyednbis-a Whereas Having experienced for
the last twenty-eight years the impossbity of pre-
serving an honorable and peaceful Union with our
Northern confederates it now becomes our impera-
tive duty to make an honorable and if possible, n
peaceful separation. And,
Whereas The diSmemberment of the existing
Union between these United States is inevitable
the Southern people in one band of brotherhood are
most impotent for consummating that much desired
result: And, 9
Whereas, The South should sever the existing
union Of these States for past aggressons as well
as for the prevention Of Others which must inevita-
bly, follow under existing party organizations
And,
Whereas, II is the natural and reasonable pro-
vince of an honorable. Peaccable and brave people
to prepare for contingency so momentons and GER
tain, without waiting to be abruptly forced into a
doubtful or nefhcent organization for the preserva-
ton of those rights which the most sacred hunor of
man impelS US to defend. And.
Whereas, A permanent separation of conflicting
interests, pursuits habits laws, or opinions, is far
preferable to doubtful or unpleasant alliance -
BE it, therefore,
Resofced, !. That, with that purity of motive
eonscfentousness OF recttude, and noble determine
ton TO do right, we recommend and will do all we
can to bring about an honorable and, if possible, a
peaceable separation of the Southern slave States
from the Northern free Stotes.
ResoIced 2. That after having been denied a
peaccatle existence in the present confederacy and
in the event we now be denied the poor but natu-
raj privilege of a peaceable separation we shall
then rely upon our own strength the sanction of
the Great Ruler, and tie countenanCe of all prop
ery disposed nations for that separation, without
which we cannot maintain an honorable existence,
VI scCute " or cnluren inc Contiuueu respect Oh
honorable men.
hesotUed 3. That in this effort to separate peace
ably from men and States, With whom weso widely
differ in soil, climate, institutions and opinion
will ask for nothing more, nor will we receive any
thing less, than equal division of all the Terri
tories, immunities, rights, privileges, obligations,
treaties ETC., now claimed or enjoyed by the United
States.
ResotUed, a. That it is our solemn duty to recog-
nize all the people Of the several Southern States
band Of brcthers, whose interests and feelings
shall be sacredly observed and respected by the
Great Southern Party, so long as those human vir-
tues can be exercised without sacrificing or jeopar-
dizing those rights aud that equality, for the regain
ing and preservation Of which this organization is
formed
! COHsttaton.-Art. /. This organization shall be
known as the Great Southern Party
Art. 2. Its objects are an honorable, and if pos
sible peaceable dismemberment of the present
Contederacy, and the formation Of Southern one
securing all the rights, powers and equality to q
free white population that may be exercised with