Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-05-17
INDEPENDENCE AND EQUALITY
VIVA, We are to Vote Upon.

the PROVISIONAL GoVernment VI 'no No
Tolerate States; and then submitted their &C
tios in both these respects to the people TO
their approval, designating the 9Th day @
Juue az the day on which the vote is to b
taken. We have to vote on that day. there
fore
1. For or against the independence of Ten
nessee.
2. For or against the adoption of the Pro
visional Government of the COnfederat
States.
The first question involves the question Q
our freedom or slavery-separation from
government whose administrative agent
have subverted and violated its Constitution
who DENY Us the right of revolution, whicl
we have declared to be inalienable, and seeI
TO compel US to submit to injustice, inequail
ty and wrong by force of arms. We trus
there is not a freeman in Tennessee, wh'
knows what liberty is, who will hesitate e
single instant to vote in the affirmative.
there is free white man in the State who
would vote for his own degradation, dishonor
and enslavement, and against his birthrIgh'
of liberty, let his skin be changed to
Foyptian blackness on the spot, and let him
take his appropriate place by the side of the
Ethiop.
The second question, in effect decides
whether Tennessee. having declared her in
dependence, will undertake to breast the
storm which is gathering for her subjugation
in the North, or join with her sisters of the
south in a common and united effort to re-
sist the hordes of fanaticism which threaten
to submerge a common South in common
ruin. On this subject, We trust the people
will be equally unanimous in the affirmative.
We are informed that our friends in many
parts of the State do not fully comprehend
the entire scope of this latter vote-whether
Il Ia for the adoption of the Provisional or
Permanent Constitution of the Confederate
States Hnfor The Provisional Government. and
nat for The permanent one The Provisional
Constitution was adopted on the 9Th of Feb
ruary last, and is to continue for one year
from that date and no longer, or until such time
within the year, as it may be superseded by
q permanent government In voting affirm
stiyely we vote for representation in the
Congress of that provisional government.
The adoption of the Permanent Constitution
is altogether another affair, to be decided at
another time. We hope this is plain.
But in order that the people may vote
with the fullest and most explicit understand
ing we append the differences between the
Provisional Constitution and that OF the
United States. These are the
ALTERATIONS.
LIST The Provisional Constitution dif.rs
from the other in this: That the Legislative
,,overs of the Provisional Government are
vested in the Congress now assembled. and
this body exercises all the functions that are
exercis. by either or both branches of the
United States Government.
ID. The Provisional President holds his of
fee for one year. unless sooner suspended by
the establishment of a permanent govern
ment
Sd. Each State is erected into distinct
Judicial DisIrict-the Judge having ali the
powers heretofore vested in the District and
Circuit Courts; and tie several District
Judges together compose the Supreme Bench
"a mainrity of them constituting quorum.
4th. The power is conferred on the Con
gress to legislate for the transfer of causes
pending in the courts of the United States to
the courts of The COnfederacy, and for the
execution of the orders, DEGREES and judg-
ments, heretofore rendered by the said courts
of the United States; and also to pass all
laws requisite for the protection of parties in
interest," their heirs, personal representatives,
or assignee-.
6tb. Whenever the word "Union" or
sUnitedn occurs in the Constitution of the
United States the word '-Confederacy" or
slConft derate" IL substituted; also, where the
word delegated" occurs ia the old COnstitu
ton, the word excess" ia substituted in the
new.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE ADDITIONS.
Ist- The President may veto any separate
appyopriation, without yetoiDg the whole
bill In which it is contained.
ID. The African slave trade is prohibited.
Sd. Congress is empowered to prohibit the
Introduction of slaves from any Stale not a
member Of this Confederacy.
4Ih. All appri priations must be upon the
demand of the President, or heads OF depart
ment-
OMISSIONS.
LIST. There is no prohibition on members
of Congress holding other offices Of honor and
emolument under the Provisional Govern
meut.
2d. There is no provision for a neutral
spot for the location of seat OF Govern
ment. or for sites for Forts, Arsenals and
Dockyards. Consequently, there is no re-
ference made to the Territorial powers of
the Provisional Government.
Sd. The section in the old Constitution in
reference to capitation and other direct
tax, is omitted also, the section providing
that no tax or duty shall be laid on any ex-
ports.
4. The prohibition on States keeping troops
or ships of war, in time OF peace, Is omitted.
5. The Constitution being provisional
merely. no provision is made for its rati-
fcation.
AMENDMENTS.
LIST. The fugitive slave clause of the old
Constitution is so amended as to contain the
word " slave" and TO provide for full COM
pensation in cases of abduction or forcible
rescue on the part OF the State in which
sach abduction may take place.
I'd. Congress, by a vote of twO-thirds, may
at any time, alter or amend the Constitu-
ton.
TEMPORARY PROVISIONS.
LIST. The Provisional Government is re-
ouired to take steps Immediately for the set
Element Of all matters between the States
forming il, and their other late confederates
of the United States, in relation to the pub
lie property and the public debt.
I'd. Montgomery Is made the temporary
seat of Government
3. This Constitution is to continue one
wear. miles, altered by q two-thirds vote, or
suspended by permanent Government.
At public meeting held in this city,
Wednesday night, the following resolutions
were adopted:
Rssolued, That this meeting appoint James
Walker, Archer Cbeatham, J. j. Mccain,
Michael Vaughn, Geo G. Bradford, G. W.
Harris, j. r. Brace. Ira p. Jones, H. K
Walker, aud James o. Griffith, Committee
to invite and secure speakers to canvass this
city and county, to explain and yiudicste the
action Of the late extra session of the Lepis-
l.t.,ra anhmiffino fhs. nnasiior II H.