Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-02-16
The New Government.


We have had on file for several days the
Constitution of the Provisional Govern
ment of the Southern Con federacy, but have
not been able to print it. AS an important
part OF the history oil this movement, We
shall lay it before our readers spon as con-
renient. In the meantime we present
couple of extracts from the Charleston
Mercury strongly condemnatory of some of
its leading features. We do so, however,
with the statement that ia our opinion. the
Mercury is the most Maynard, sophisticaI and
superficial paper on the subjects embraced in
political economy now printed in America
~ from the Charleston Mercury Feb. III
We regret that any Provisional Govern
ment was formed at all, and in one or two
important particulars confess to disappoint-
ment and surprise at the Government and
laws enacted. 1t seems that the United
States Protective Tariff of ISL has been
adopted, and that positive condemnation
of the institution of slavery. through the
slave trade, has been inserted into the Con
stitution itself. Neither of these did we ex-
pect. We did not suppose that any South
ern Government. whether for a month or a
year, would sanction the policy of Protective
Tariffs. The tariff of '57 is odious and OPP
pressive in its Determinations. 1t was made
to favor Northern enterprise at the expense
of the people of the South huge free-list
for them-the burden of taxation for US to
bear, and we maintain is adverse to revenue,
unjust in principle and oppressive in prac-
tice Whether this is brought about by a
partial remission of duties or partial impo-
sition, it is still the same in effect. We en-
ter our protest againt the scheme aud policy,
both as regards ourselves and in the results,
| so far as foreign nations are concerned, and
their friendship, at this time, is valuable to
us. In each respect Free Trade is the true
policy Of the Confederate States
We deem it also unfortunate and BsaL apr0-
pos that the stigma of illigetiuacy and lille
gality should be placed upon the institution
of slavery by a Fundamental law against the
slave trade. In our opinion it is a matter OF
policy, and not of principle. to be decided
now and hereafter. from sound views of the
necessities and safety of our people. We
think it proper subject of legislation.
From the Charleston Mercury, Feb. 49,
In our issue of yesterday we took occasion
to speak, with some dissatifactiOn, of certain
features of the Provisional Government, and
admit, to-day, an extended article from Mr..
Spratt upon the same subject. We admit
that the Government is but provisional and
temporary, and that features objected to may
not be carried into the Permanent Govern
ment, and probably was never intended to
be carried there They were doubtless in
tended to conciliate the Border Slave States.
and induce them to nearly union;but the con-
Germ we have expressed was not unwarranta-
BILE. 1t may be questionable whether, should the
Border Slave States be induced to union by
such attractive features of the Constitution,
it would be proper to propose change. 1t is
to be doubted whether, when they shall have
entered, it will be possible for the Cotton
States to make any changes to which they
may except-and. as we would certainly la
ment the final adoption of the policy except
ed to,-as we would lament a constitutional
brand upon the institution of domestic slave
ry-we think it eminently important that
those who deprecate these measures should
make the efforts necessary to defeat them.