The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-05-10

nessee, waving any expression of opin-
ion, as to the abstract doctrine of seces-
sion, but asserting the right as free and
Independents, people, to alter, reform or
abolish bur form Of Government in such a
mapner rs we think proper, do ordain
and declare that all the laws and ordin-
ances, by which the State of Tennessee
became member of the Federal. Union
of the United States of America, are
hereby abrogated and annuled, and that
all obligations on our part be withdrawn
therefrom; and we do hereby resume all
the rights, functions and powers, which by
any of said laws and ordinances were con-
veyed TO the Government of the United
States, and absolve ourselves from all the
obligations, restraints and duties incurred
thereto; and do hereby henceforth be-
come free, sovereign and Independent
State.
SECOND. We furthermore declare and
ordain that Article 10 Sections l and Of
the Constitution Of the State of Tonnes
see, which requires members of the Gen
eral Assembly, and all officers, civil and
military, to take an oath to support the
Constitution of the United States, be and
the same are hereby abrogated and an
nulled, and all parts of the constitution
of the State of Tennessee, making citi-
zenship of the United States a qualifica-
ton for office, and recognizing the Con-
stitution Of the United States as the SUI
preme law of this State, are in like man.
ner abrogated and annulled.
THIRD, We furthermore ordain and de-
clare, that all rights acquired and vested
under the Constitution of the United
States, or under any act of Congress pass
ed in pursuance thereof, or under any
laws of this State and not incompatible
with this ordinance, shall remain in force
and have the same effect as if this ordin-
ancc had not been passed.
SEC. 3. BE il further enacted, That said
election shall be by ballot, that those
voting for the Declaration and Ordinance
shall have written or printed on their
ballots Separation" and those voting
against it shall have written or printed on
their ballots mo Separation" That the
clerks holding said election shall keep
regular scrolls of the votes ms now reouir-
ed by law in the election of members to
the General Assembly. that the clerks and
judges shall certify the same with the
number of votes for Separation" and
the number of votes mo Separation. -
The officer holding the election shall re-
turn the same to the Sheriff of the coun-
ty. at the county seat, on the Monday
next after the election. The Sheriff. shall
Immediately make out, certify and send
to the Governor the number of votes
polled, and the number of votes for sep.
ara don" and the number mo Separa-
tion," and file one of the original scrolls
with the clerk of the County Court; that
upon comparing the vote by the Governor
in the office OF the Secretary of State,
which shall be at least by the 9th day of
June, 1861, and may be sooner if the re-
turns are all received by the Governor
If a majority of the votes polled shall be
for Separation" the Governor shall by
his PROCLAMATION make it known, and de-
clare all connection by the State of Ten
nessee, with the Federal Union dissolved,
and that Tennessee is u free, independ-
ent Government, free from all obligation
to, or connection with the Federal Gov
eminent. And that the Governor shall
cause the vote of counties to be pub
lished, the number for Separation" and
the number No Separation" whether
a majority votes for Separation" or IN
Separation"
SEC. 4. BE Il. further enacted, That in the
election to be held under the provisions
of this act upon the Observation-Disclosures
to the people, all volunteers and other
persons connected with the service of this
State, qualified to vote for members of the
Legislature in the counties where they re-
side, shall be entitled to vote in any coun-
ty in the State where they may be in ac-
tive service, or under orders, or on parole
at the time of said election and all other
voters shall vote in the county where
they reside, rs now required by law in
voting for members to the General Assem-.
bly,.
SEC. S. BE Il further enacted, That at the
same time and under the rules and reg
ulations prescribed for the election herein
before ordered, the following ordinance
shall be submitted to the popular vote
To wit:
An Ordinance for the adoption of the
Constitution of the Provisional Govern.
ment of the Confederate States of Ameri
ca.
We the people of Tennessee, solemnly
impressed by the perils which surround
us, do hereby adopt and ratify the Con
sttution of the Provisional Government
Of the Confederate States of America, or.
dained and established at Montgomery
Alabama, on the 9Th day of February
1861, to be in force during the existence
thereof, or until such time as we may SUI.
persede it, by the adoption of perma.
nent Constitution.
SEC. 6. BE il further enacted, That those
in favor Of the adoption of the said Pro-
visional Constitution and thereby secur.
ing to Tennessee equal representation
in the deliberations and Councils of the
Confederate States, shall have written OF
printed on their ballots the word g Repre.
sentation," those opposed, the words I" M
Representation"
Sec. I. BE III further enccted, That IN the
event the people shall adopt the Consti.
tuition of the Provisional Government o!
the Confederate States at the election
herein ordered, it shall be the duty of the
Governor forthwith to issue writs of cleo.
tim Tor delegates to represent the State
of Tennessee in the said Provisional Gov.
eminent. That the State shall be repre-
sented by as many delegates rs it was en-
titled to members of Congress to the re-
cent Congress of the United States Of
America, who shall be elected from The
several Congressional districts as now es
tablished by law, in the mode and man
ner now prescribed for the election Of
members of the Congress of the United
States.
SEC. 8. BE il further enacted, That this
Act take effect from and after it passage
W. c. WHITTHoRNE,
Speaker of the House of Representatives
b. L. STovALL,
Speaker of the Senate
Passed May 9th, 1861.
The following is the vote on the final
passage of the Declaration of Indepen
dence: Senate, Ayes, 20; Noes, 4. House
Ayes, 46; Noes, 81.
Baptist Convention In Georgia.
The Georgia Baptist Convention at it,