Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-04-13
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From The London Times, March 81
Perhaps the most interesting columns In the
American newspapers are those which are devoted
to the Congress of the Confederate States The rst
essays of the new ccnfederacy are eyidanflv dad
by strong desire to appear well in the ewes of the
world. While the North is passing prohibitiye
tariff and while its newspapers are speeuIat,no ~,
the possibility of balancing the loss of the cotton
region by the annexation of Canada, the Confeder-
ate States are behaving with marked prudence and
propriety. Perhaps their enemies will suggest that
thes are making parade Of modesty and trucu-
lently asserting their inoffansiveness But. what
ever their motives, their acts are exemnlarv. II
may be that they want the sympathy Of England
against the government at Washington; it NAV be
that thoy simply wi'nt our dollars; but thew are
evidently on their very best behavior As there are
false who might Deceive the very elect so these
Southern politicians are plausible that they might
almost induce Mississippi bend-holder to trust the
fellow-ctizens Of Mr.. Jefferson DAVIS
Like all new assemblies, the Congress at Mont
gomery legislates boldly and rapidly; but unlike
them, it seems not TO be given to many words Its
measures proposed and carried with the promp-
ttude of French Democratic Chamber but we do
not detect the love of talk which distinguished our
neighbors seventy years ago as much as now. This
is at first sight strange for of all yerbosity Ameri-
can verbosity is the most redundant and
exhaustless Nor must we give the Yankees
or the Northerners exclusive credit for
those portentous CREATIONS which, like the
dramstized version Of "Mcpte Christie, used to last
two nights. "A Carolinian or Georgian, when he
got on bis fsvorte theme of the wrongs done to him
self and his property" would hold on with steady
pertinscity which any opponent might envy. But
il seems that the Southerners were aware in the
last week of February that there was business 10 be
done. The crisis was at hand. President Lincoln
who had been making semi-warlike speeches all the
way from Illinois, was at Washington, and was TO
be inaegurated in few days. What he might do
what he might compel the South to do, was 9 ques-
zion Of grave importance With his principles he
could hardly fail TO bring matters to dangerous
issue. Major Anderson was quite prepared at Fort
Sumter while the batteries of Charleston we're ready
TO open at the shortest notice. When only few
days intervene between the sitting of an assembly
and what may be civil war, ths most laxative is
silenced and the most reckless becomes moderate.
Hence the Congress of Montgomery has exhibited it.
self as q pattern Legislature. Philanthropy and
political economy have ruled the discussions of
these fiery Southerners. The renewed oondemna-
ton Of the slave trade, the throwing open of the
Mississippi navigation, and the repeal Of the navi
CATION laws are among the first fruits of Southern
legislation and the Confederate politicians no doubt
hope by these acts TO set themselves morally right
before the world, to disarm the Jealousy of the
Western States. and to bring over England to ther
side by concessions contrasting strongly with the
barbarian liberality Of the old Union.
The navigation of the Mississippi has been
declared free TO the citizens Of any Of the State
on its borders or upon the bsrders Of its naviga-
bic tributaries. This enactment uas necessity.
1t is impossible to imagine that the Western States
would ever permit their chief outlet to the ocean 10
be closed by the tourniquet Of foreiga Custom
House. Even in Europe, the Danube. which passes
through the territories Of various and hostile races
has been made free. The people living on the
head-vsters sf the Mississippi, on the Ohio, the
Missouri and even the Arkansas, would be most in
dgnant if any attempt were made to interfere with
the traffic between the Gulf and the heart of the
American continent. Hence the Confederate States
have enacted that oil ships and boats which may
enter the waters Of the Mississippi within the lin
its of the Ccnfsderacy, from any port place be-
yond the said limits, nay freely pass with their
cargoss TO any place beyond the said limits without
let or hindrance, on paying pilotage and other
charges. Regulations are made to prevent the dis
posing Of any part Of the cargces without payne
Of the customs due to the Confederate States This
the Southerners probably think is all that the
Western people desire, or at least, justly claim,
having paid this tribute 10 the legitimate sus-
capabilities Of their neighbors, the Congress ther
plunged boldly into the question Of finance. Or
this subject there was neisheP doubt nor delay
The Confederate s.ates are nothing, il not free
traders. The act, which was ready for the Presi-
dents assent on the Goth Of February speaks fol
itself. II is "to modify the navigation laws snG
to repeal all discriminating duties on ships anG
vessels;" and enacta that call laws which forbid
the employment in the coasting trade Of shipa OF
vessels not enrolled licensed and also all lawl
which forbid the importation Of goods wares Of
merchandise from one port Of the Confederate
States TO another from any foreign port placs
in vessel belonging wholly in part to a subjec
or citizen of any foreign State power, are here
by repealed" Discriminating duties on foreign
ships are also repealed. Thus, the coasting trade
from Charleston to Galveston is now thrown oper
to the British flag. This is certainly more liberia
and manly policy than that which has found favor
in the Northern States which, not content with ex'
GLIDING US from their coasting trade, interpreted
coasting trade to include the voyage from New En-
gland, round Cape Horn, to California.
The third important measure passed by the Con
gress is for the suppression of the slave trade.
is in the usual terms, but contains provision fol
dealing with the negroes found on board the captur
ed vessels which is somewhat amusing. 1.-THE yes
sci is cleared from any port In the United States the
President shall communicate with the Governor o.
that State and 'shal offer to deliver such negroes
TO the said State on receiving guarantee that the
said negroes shall enjoy the rights and privileges
of freemen in such State, or in any other State o.
the United States or that they shall be transported
to Africa, and there set at liberty without expense
to the government The notion of the Confederate
States bargaining with New York or Pennsylvania
that negro shall shave all the rights and privil
eyes of freeman" will, no doubt, give the sboli
tiOnstS hopes of converting the SecessoDists somt
day In default of the foreign State accepting th
offer, the President shall receive any propositions
made for the transport Of the negroes to Africa BY
private persons, and. should no such phlan thepis
efer himself, 'the President shall cause the said ne
groes to be sold at public auction to the highest bud
der" This II must be confessed, Is decent from
the lofty morality of the earlier part of the clause
but we have described fair amount of good leEia
lation for single week