Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-04-17
Pablo Sentiment in the Seeded State
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Public Sentiment in the Seeded States.
- READ AND CIRCULATED
TIE ALABAMA CONVENTION remarkable
body, remarkable no less for the assumption of pow
er, than its abuse (as will be seen by its proceed
ngs have ratified the permanent Constitution with
out reference TO the people, or to new Convention
chosen for that purpose. This we pronounce high
assumption of power, derogatory to the rights Of
free people, and subversive of civil liberty. The
present Constitution of the United States was franz
ed BY our fathers. in Convention soemnly con-
yened for that specific purpose and was by them re-
ferred for its ratification to Conventions Of the seve
raj States SO highly did they prize the right of
free people to frame their own system of govern
ment But this rump Convention, selected for an
entirely different purpose, not only raties Consti
tuition framed by its creature the Southern Congress-
but absolutely deny to the people the right of self
government as the vote upon the following reso-
lutions Of Mr.. Clarke Of Lawrence, clearly shows:
Resolued, l. That the political power in all free
governments is inherent in the people, and that any
attempt to infringe this great principle is dangerous
in policy, and directly subversive of civil liberty.
2. That the right of every people to frame the sys
tenn OF government under which they are to live, is
fundamental doctrine in all free governments and
should not be questioned or impaired.
3. That the acknowledgment of these established
principles the spirit and genius of American nstitu-
tons and the well ascertained precedents of repub-
lican usage imperatively demand that the "Consti-
tuition of the Confederate States of America shall
be submitted to the people of this State for their
ratification or rejection.
Here were deliberately voted down BY vote of
"a to 49, resolutions which declare, 1st That all
political power in free government is inherent in
the people; I'd, The right of the people to frame
their system of government; and Sd, refusal to re-
fer the permanent Constitution of the Confederate
States to the people for their ratification or rejection
BY nearly the same vote they rejected the resou-
ton of Col. Jemson to refer it to Convention of
the people to be chosen for that specific purpose
The leading idea of this Convention was distrust
of the people, and glad that they put it upon
record so plainly and unequivocally as they have
The people now know whether in the opinion of
their servants they freemen or slaves and they
know the men.-Tuskaloosa Monitor.
The American Citizen, journal published at
Canton, Mississippi, quotes with appreciation some
earnest remarks of the Jackson Mississppian, Sc
cesson paper in condemnation of the plan by which
the permanent Constitution of the Confederate States
has been "ratfed" in several States without refer.
ence to the people The Citizen adds as follows in
pertinent aluson to the fact that only secessionists
may safely assume to speak critically on any thing
nominally done in the name of "the South"
1--WE copy these views of the Mississippian. It
is with great pleasure we see that influential sheet
taking bold stand in favor of the rights of the peo-
pie and against uSurpations of power by our would
be rulers. Belonging to the dominant party, and
being the central organ Of the Democratic Secession
party Of this State, its voice will be heeded-what
it says will be taken as gospel and subscribed to
with alacrity as sound doctrine while the same
sentiments uttered by the Vicksburg Whig the
American Citizen, or any other advocate of the late
Union party, would be hooteG at as the rawlings of
Unionshrieker, and perhaps pronounced reasonable
to the South and the Provisional Government"
MISSISSIPPI CoNvENTIoN-In another part of to-
days paper there will be seen an able article from
the Mississippian favoring the submission of the
Montgomery Constitution to the qualified voters of
this State for adoption. Such policy it seems to
us should at once be advocated by the press and
the people in primary meetings, to the end that the
Convention, soon to assemble, may be apprsed of
the will of the voters.
By what authority the Convention of Alabama
acted IN the adoption Of the permanent Constitution,
we are wholly unable to find. If as contended by
the advocates of the right of secession it required
the aggregate voice of the State to pass from FEEDER
al authority, it certainly required no less power to
annex to another. The Convention was chosen
alone to enquire into those federal grievances and
apply the remedy and there their authority certain
~ ended. When the advocates of submission of
the question of secession to the people proposed that
measure they were answered-We were chosen for
that purpose and none other--our view being known
by our constituents they expect and demand prompt
withdrawal.
Therefore, by their own arguments they are
estopped of further power. Indeed it is altogether
questionable whether that body had the lawful right
to order an election take any further action in
the premises. 1t seems to US that the Governor
should convene the Legislature, who would have
the right to submit the question to the people.
The Conventonists have assumed all legislative
power in the State by virtue Of being the State and
if their authority is to end 1t might be we'll
to let the deluded citizens, or inhabitants know
that they had ceased to be power in the realm and
that their scepter had departed forever-Corinh
(Aississippi) Adoertiser.
The Augusta (Geo.) Chronicle and Sentinel is
not overpleased at the fondness for ofice-holding
displayed by the leading spirits Of the secession
movement l. remarks: <......
HMr. Cobb, in the State Convention, praised very
highly the moderation and patriotism Of the Cabi-
net officers of our new Government He forgot to
mention, however, that some of them hold two and
three Offices each, for all Of which they might, if
they chose, draw pay. The annual pay of Cabi-
net officer (six thousand dollars may not be very
extrayagant, but when that Of member of Congress
and delegate in the State Convention, with mileage
for both, is added it becomes rather big thing. 1t
seems hard that SO many Offices should be monopo-
LIKED by single individuals where there is such q
crowd OF hungry patriots willing to serve their
country for small consideration. w.
: The Tuscumbia North Alaban;au Of the 22d in
slant contains the proceedings of public meeting
held at Frankfort in Alabama at which the follow.
ing resolutions, among others Of similar character
were passed:
Resolced, That we approve the course pursued by
. o,1r 3elesafes Messrs Watkins and Steals &; O.