Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-03-22
Tao ConstItutIon OF the Confederate

States.
From ths Nsz York world, Blzek-Rspubliean.l
The new Constitution over which the Mont
gcmerV Congress has been for several weeks
in secret incubation has at length chipped the
she'll Our telegraphic dispatches Of yes .erdsy
morning furnishes an outline Of il; and truth
cuustrains US TO say that it contains some eX-
cellent features. It's trainers have an intelli-
gent appreciation OF the defects which have
been disclosed in the working Of our govern
meBt 10 The seventy years il has been in oper
alton, and the provisions for remeiying these
defects commend themselves 10 the considera-
ton Of intelligent minds in every part Of the
country. Il is probable that our existing
troubles will reach their ultimate adjustment
tbrcugh a general convention Of the States FOR
revising the Constitution; and, when such
csrFention. .shau be called, it will be proper for
il to make other wise amendments, as well az
devise 2 basis Of settlement for our pr0tTacted
sectional quarrel That a national convention
will be called some time within the ensuing
four wears we have DO doubt Mr.. Seward
minated bis opinion OF its necessity both in
his Astor house remarks and In his more
elaborate speech IN the Senate. President Lin
coin, IN bis inaugural, seems to favor it. Even
the radical wing OF the Republican party-at
leaat the press that represents it's not averss
10 such a convention. Taking it for granted,
ihsn, that we are soon to have a general
revision OF the federal Constitution, it is proper
that the country should study the subject in
advance. and be prepared to take advantage Of
the occasion and secure all the amendments
which time and experience have shown TO be
necessary. Now, regardless Of the source from
which they emanate, there are several things
in the new southern Constitution which might
be incorporated, with great advantage, into the
Constitution Of the United States.
A. q, q. ,,,,gH 9r-r,0rEouk Tr ffe r,ra -
teal consequences, Is the provision which
makes only the great officers, such as the
heads Of departments and the chief foreign
ministers, removable at the will Of The Presi-
dent, but the tenure OF all subordinate officers
ipdependent OF executive pleasure. The great
source Of decentralization in our politics is, the
clean sweep made throught all the ramihca-
tions Of the executive department OF the gov
eminent on the accession OF a new party to
power. This is the PandOra's box whence
flows a great portion Of our evils. Il debases
the Government into a grand agent Of corup-
tign. L exsggerates the importance Of all
our political issues it distoTts the truth, and
winfully decsiEes the people it inhames party
snirit, eraspeTates sectional passions, intro
duces corruption into the elections, and sur
rounds the President. when elected, with inh-
mite swarms Of elsmorous eormorantg, who
allow him no quiet, day nor night, and tug at
every piece of patronage pulling In opposite
directions, like the pack OF hungry ours in
Honor over the fragment Of a hide. The prac-
tice Of turning out all the ofice-holders at the
beginning Of a new ADMINISTRATION, and thus
setting the whole country by the ears In
mighty struggle between the ms and the outs
at every presidential! election, is contrary to
the sariv usage Of the Government, and was
never in The contemplation Of the founders Of
the Constitution. This infamous spOils sys-
A., -.
bined 70 bring the country into its present de-
plorabIe condition, and a constitutional pro-
vision which should cut It up BY the roots is a
consummation devOU " to be wished.
Other provisions Of the southern Constitu-
ton which deserve unqualified APPRECIATION are
those intended to guard the public treasury and
prevent fraudulent legislation. Congress can
not, except By two-thirds vote Of both houses,
make any appropriations not asked for BY the
bead Of some department or the president; no
extra compensation can be allowed to any
officer, contractor, or agent, after contracts
sre made, or services rendered; and every law
must relate TO one subject, which must be des-
ignated in it's title. Provisions similar TO these,
I in our national Constitution, would operate as
a powerful check on legislative corruption.
Improvdent and dishonest appropri istions, and
after al owances, are foisted into other bills,
and covered up under their titles, Ia the hurry
and ueIi-meN II WHICH GolElehoLoudi buElArea
commonly gets involved near tie close Of a
Z session.
Besides these provisions, whose wisdom is
I 30 clear and indisputsble, the southern Consti-
I tuition makes some innovations respecting
which there is more room for difference Of
( opinion. The granting Of seats in Congress
! TO members Of the Cabinet, initiated from the
/ EngI Sd government, Will have the advantage
Of shortening the presidential messages, and
/ Of afording a convenient method Of calling
+ forth information from the executive depart
r,enf, and viii make frst-rate talents FOR de-
I bate qualification for the heads Of the most
/ important departments. Bat such privilege
I on the part Of members Of the Cabinet might
I add unduly to executi-5- influence. The eJ.
Z tension Of the prss.oentisl term 90 six years il
/ g provision the wisdom Of which turns on th'
J 6Iiestion, which is the greater evii, two sddi
donai years Of a bad administration, or mort
frequent recurrence Of the excitement Of {
presidential contest With the spoils system
sb9Iiqhed, we doubt whether there would b
I sHv great public advan'age in extending "a
term. II the President had no patronage bu
the great Offices, the presidential elections
would not commonly be very exciting.