Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-02-17
Constitution of the Provisional Govern.
mani.


Constitution of the Provisional Gsvern-
We intended, says the Augusta Republic, as soon
as we could make room for it, to prepare state
u,ent Of the ponts of variance between the Consti-
ttiou of The limited States and that for the Provi
sional Government of the Confederated States Of
America In the Constitlltioaahst oil yesterday we
find sucl, m statement which relieves US offhe labor
of It's preparation. We would add only the provi-
sions contained in the Sd article of the new Consti
tuition LIST section and 4th clause. That coners upon
Congress the power to egslate for the transfer Of
csusss pending in the Court of the United States to
the ceurts of the conederacy and for the execution
of the orders DEGREES and judgments heretofore rem
dered by the said courts of the United States and
also to pass all laws requisite for the protection Of
the parties in interest their heirs personal repre-
sentatives, or assignees. Ez
Prom the Conssiutionsist 18th inst
For the convenience of the reader the following
changes and additions are presented, to show at a
glance the difference between the Constitution Of
the United States and the Provisional Constitution
of the Confederate States.
Taking the former Constitution as the basis, the
following are the alterations and amendments:
ALTERAToNs
lst The Provisional Constitution differs from the
other in this That the legislative powers of the
Provisional Government vested In the Congress
now assembled? andI this body exercises all the
functions that are exercised by either or both
branches of the United States Government.
ID The Provisional President holds his Office for
one year unless sooner superseded by the establish
ment of permanent Government.
3d. Eech State is erected into a distinct Judicial
District-the Judge having all the power hereto
fore vested in the District and Circuit Courts and
fbo
Supreme Bench-a majority of them constituting a
quorum.
4th. wherever the word "Union" occurs in the
United States Constitution, the word "Contederacy
is substituted. tf
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE ADDITIONS
LIST. The President may veto any separate appro-
priation. without vetoing the whole bill in which
t is contained.
"a. The African slave trade is prohibited
Sd. Congress empowered to prohibit the introduce
ton of slaves from any State not member OF this
Confederacy. ~
18th. All appropriations must be made upon the
demand of the President, or heads of departments.
OMISSIONS.
Ist There is prohibition on members of Con-
gress holding other Offices of honor and emolu-
ment under the Provisional Government.
I'd. There is no provision for neutral spot for
the location of a seat of Government or the sites
for Forts Arsenals and Dock-yards. Consequently
there reference made to the Territorial powers
| of the PROVISIONAL Government
Sd. The section In the old Constitution in refer
ence to capitation and other direct tax is omitted
also the section providing that tax duty shall
| be laid on any exports.
4th. The prohibition on States keeping troops or
ships of war, in times of peace, is omitted.
5th The Constitution, being provisional merely,
| no provision is made for its ratification. {.
| AMENDMENTS.
Ist. The fugitive slave clause of the old Constitu
/ ton is so amended to contain the word 'slave
and to provide for full compensation in cases of alb
duction forcible rescue, the part of the State
| in which SAID abduction may take place.
ID. Congress. by vote of two thirds, may at any
| time alter or amend the Constitution.
| TEMPORARY PROVISIONS.
| LIST. The Provisional Government is required 70
take immediate steps for the settlement of all mat
tiers between the States forming it, and their other
late confederates OF the United States relation tc
the public property and the public debt.
| I'd. Montgomery is made the temporary seat Of
| Government.
| Sd. This Constitution is to continue one year, IN
less altered by two-thirds vote, superseded by
| a permanent Government.