New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-05-02
MAGSoLIA HOTEL,
roRz1e:n VIEWS u OUR CONSTITUTION

FOREIGN VIEWS OF OUR CONSTITUTION
The Constitution of the Confederate States has
not received that notice from the press in Europe
to which its merits entitle it. The recognition OF
slavery perhaps, is one reason for this apparent
neglect 10 this, nevertheless, exception must be
made in favor of the Saturday Review. That able
paner has some very sensible remarks After
commenting the spirit that led to the amendments
made upon the old instrument, it says:
@ II mist not be supposed that the new articles Of
federation are the work Of men unprovided with
political wisdom. Whatever intellectual ascend
ancy the Northern States may have GAINED, they
have rarely denied the superiority OF the men OF
the South in craftsmanship and political knoWi-
edge Indeed, this very superiority IS constantly
assigned as the cause OF the undue share OF atten-
ton which Southern interests are alleged 10 nave
enerossed until now The Convention at Montgoml-
erY seems to be entirely gudea Ply me pest poIti-
cal heads in America.
+ II instances as important improvements, the
making the President eligible for six years. instead
Of four; the admittance of the members of the
Cabinet to seat on the floor of Congress; and, as
especially noticeable the denial of the privilege to
the President to dismiss from Office save for causes
affecting his morality efficiency, any officer below
tie grade of foreign or Cabinet minister's as well
as the clanse denying to contractors extra compen-
sation.
There are, however, many more important
amendmets meriting equal appreciation. The re-
cogntion Of slaves as property is not agreeable to
English taste. Still, it has this advantage, that it
calls things by their right names. It is honest,
Had the original trainers of the United States Con
stitution called slave slave, instead of person,
it would not have been one bit more pro slavery
than it is now but it would have saved vast deal
iln ~ rnYllh pUn
left the Black Republicans no ground to stand
upon. This squeamish abstinence, or delcacy, or
whatever else it may be called has been the coca
sion Of great deal of harm; and it shows the folly
of attempting to conciate opponents or secure
friends by such equivocal and qualifying expires
sions. Our political fathers knew very well, and
that generation of people knew just as well, tina
6 other persons" meant slaves and they knew as
well that slave is property under the Constitution
for it is under the guardianship of the Constitution
that he can be, and is, bought and sold. Therefore
the old Constitution is pro-slavery; for all the
Free States,n SO called, could revive the insttu
ton Of slavery within their borders under the pro
| lection of this Constitution.
The Times sneers at the attempt to conciliatf
English favor by the prohibition Of the African
slave trade, and regards it as only temporary eX
pedient. AT the same time, IL reads sensible les
/ son to the North the folly of coercion, and di
reefs attention to the failure of England to retail
/ its American colonies by force Of arms. Certainl
this is worthy of consideration, although we canno
expect it to be followed. The revolution l776 wa
i not such warfare, as this is. The North desir
war; because they are in the wrong; and a war wi
unite the North, under the delusive idea that the
are called upon to fight for the Government an
the Union. We are now called rebels and traitor
and il will not need much more noise and lying
make the Northern people forget the long series
insults and injuries we have borne before resisting
J We can have no choice between destruction
circumvention and irresponsible majorties, and
the sword if the latter were possible. The form'
was certain, predetermined, prearranged. tt
latter we will avert by our courage, constanc
skill and patriotism.