Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-04-13
Public sentiment in the Seeded States.
READ AND CIRCULATE!

BODY remarkable no less for the assumption Of pow
err than its abuse las will be seen by its proceed
ings) 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 a Convention solemnly con-
vened 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 ratleS Constl
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 MIR. Clarke of Lawrence, clearly shows:
ResOlred 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 subversve 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.
g. 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
81 to SO, resolutions which declare, 1st That all
political power in free government is inherent in
the people; 3D. 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 rejection.
By nearly the same vote they rejected the resolu-
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 we 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 slaves, and they
know the Tuscaloosa Monitor.
The American Citizen journal published at
Canton, Mississippi, quotes with appreciation some
earnest remarks of the jackson Mississippian Sc
cession paper in condemnation of the plan by which
the permanent Constitution of the Confederate States
has been ratified in several States without refer
ence to the people. The Citizen adds as follows in
pertinent alusion to the fact that only seceSsoniss
may safely assume to speak critically on any thing
nominally done in the name Of "the South"
I'VE copy these views of the NiSsisSippian. 1t
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
with alacrity as sound doctrine-whlle the same
sentiments uttered by the Vicksburg Wing, the
American Citizen any other advocate of the late
Union party, would be hoote6 at as the rawlings of
Union-shrieker 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 Mississippidn favoring the submission of the
Montgomery Constitution to the qualified voters of
CS.La e..
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 appraised 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. IT, as commended 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
ly 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 RICH.
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 ali legislative
power in the State by virtue of being the State and
their authority is never 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
CAississippi) AdUertiser.
The Augusta (Geo.) Chronicle and Sentinel is
not oVerpleased at the fondness for ofice-hoding
dlsplayed by the leading spirits of the secession
movement |: remarks:
Mr. Cobo 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 (sx thousand dollars) may not be very
extravagant 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
crowd of hungry patriots willing to serve their
country for small consideration"
The Tuseumbia North AIabanian of the 22d in
.stant contains the proceedings of public meeting
held at Frankfort, in Alabama at which the follow.
ing resolutions, among others of similar character
were passed:
hes0t0ed, That we approve the course pursued BY
our delegates, Messrs Watkins and Steele, in Con-
vepton al Montgomery, in not signing the so-called
Ihat secession is nexpedient and unnecessary.
and we are opposed to it in any form, and the more
80 since malopy Of the Slave States have refused
operation" or "precpitate secession" and that the
refusal to submit the so-caled secession orJ;nonco
to the decision of the people is outrage mon or
right and liberty and manifests spirit of assumn.
ton, uafairness, and dictatorship.
That our Congressional nominee, if elected is tn
represent US in the United States Congress- and moi
in the Congress of this so-called "sOuthern Con
federacy."
We do not know whether it is designed to submit
the new Constitution to vote OF the people Q