Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1861-03-01
NO. 48.
The PEev'sisaaI Constitution of the

The Fre v ,sic2sl Constitution of the
Confederate States of America.
From the Charleston Mercury OF Tuesday, F-b. II
Our readers will perceive that the United
States Constitution, with few emendations
has been adopted and also, by a sweeping en-
actment, III United State laws, for the tenn
porary government of the seeding States
confe'ierated at Montgomery.
/ We regret that any Provisional Govern
ment was formed at all, and in one or two
( important particulars confess to disappont-
nieht and surprise at the Government and
laws enacted. 1t seems that the Euited
States Protective Tariff Of 81 has been
adopted, and that positive condemnation Of
the institution Of slavery, through the slave
trade, h'ts beer inserted into the Constitution
itself. Neither Of these did we expect. We
did not suppose that any Southern Govern
nent whether for month or Il year, would
sanction the policy Of Proteetrc Tariffs. L
The Tariff Of 81 is oliOJs and oppressive III
its determinations. It was Made to favor
Northern enterprise at the expense Of the
FccpIe Of the Soutll-a huge free list for them
the burden of taxation for US to bear, and
we maintain is adverse 70 revenue, unjust in
er this is brought about by a partial remis-
sion of duties or partial imposition, it is
still the SAME in effect We enter our protest
against the scheme and policy, both as
fegdrds ourselves and in the results so far as
foreign nations are concerned ana their friend
ship, at this time, valuable to US In each
respect Free Trade is the true policy OF the
Confederate Statcs.
We deem it also unfortunate and nal
apropoS that the Stigma of illcgitimacy and
fleSality shotl6 be placed upon the inStitu-
tion of slavery by 4 fundamental law against
the slave trade. In our opinion it is a matter
Of policy, und not Of printiplc, to be decided
now aud hereafter frott{ sUiind views Of the
necessities and safety Of our people We
tfiink it proper suhj,'ct of legislation. We
are willing 10 prohibit ii by legal enactment,
like airy other topic Of legislation. But
while England imports her thousands Of
Coolic Gives, and France hers, under the far
cical appe.htion Of apprentices ces"-while they
are striving by these mraus 10 compete with
and supercede u.s. ir producing thu tropic-
hl production of slave labor-wliile we lave
within our reach large scope Of fertile ter
r.tOry uucult waited in Texas, and man hare
ere long The siirer m.ncs Of -4ra-onia, and the
teeming Stf't5 Of AIer 20, to populate and re-
due to agricultural profiuctiueness-it it seems 10
s4o,tsighted, lra4Ik and sentimental TO pre-
cllde forerer, by Fundamental enactment, the
adoption Of u policy that may become essentlat
to our appropriate grotrtt and expansion and
to our successful competition p.ta The hgpocrdi-
cat nations Of Europe. f ='nr"-l
But the Constitution as adopted, is ouy
provisional and tempo AIRY, and may, ,here
fore, .Ba excusaJit on that account We
hupe the Permanent Government will be.
mad. and established speedily, and without
reference to anything going ON outside Of the
Confederate States. These have complete
success within their grasp. if they& win only
act fo.lr!cssy and with the confidence Of men
who are compcteit To control their destlnics.
Too great q difference and delay for the Bor-
States still in the Union. will oily encourage
their dilatorincss and prulong their stay. Let
the Confederate States bit perform their du-
tv.tand their whole duty to themselves ire
srective OF the others, and we will answer for
the result in i Snal Gouicdcracy of all the
Slave Stat,S. #..t- .... '. .sH. rlt 81 /