The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-05-24
What We are to Vote Upon.

oil the Confederate STATES unu tnen sun
mitted their ACTION in both these respects
to the people for their approval, designat-
ing the 9Th day of June as the day on
which the vote is to be taken. We have
to vote on that day, therefore
/. For or against the Independence OF
Tennessee.
Q. For or against the adoption of the
Provisional Government Of the Confeder-
ate States.
The first question involves the question
of our freedom or slavery
from government whose administrative
agents have subverted and violated its
Constitution; who deny us the right OF
which we have declared TO be
inalienable, and seek to compel us tosub-
NIT to injustice, inequality and wrong 10y
force Of arms. We trust there is not q
freeman in Tennessee, who knows what
liberty is, who will hesitate single in;
slant to vote in the affirmative. If there
is free white man in the State who
would vote for his own degradation, dis
honor and enslavemcnt, and against his
birthright Of liberty, let his skin be chang
ed to Egyptian blackness on the spot,
and let him take his appropriate place by
the side of the Ethiop.
The second question, in effect decides
whether Tennessee, having declared her
independence, will undertake to breast
the storm which is gathering for her sub
jugation in the North, or join with her
sisters of the South in common and
united effort to resist the hordes OF fanati-
cism which threaten TO submerge a COM
mon South in common ruin. On this sub
ject, we trust the people will be equally
unanimous in the affirmative.
We are informed that our friendsin ma
ny parts of the State do not fully compre-
bend the entire scope of this latter vote
whether it is for the adoption of the Pro-
visional or Permanent Constitution Of the
Confederate States. II is for the Porision-
al Government, and not far tie permanent one
The Provisional Constitution was adopted
on the of February last, and is to continue
for one year from that date and no longer, oil
until such time, within the year, as it
may be superseded by permanent gov
eminent. In voting aflirmatvely we vote
for representation in the Congress Of that
provisional government. The adoption
of the Permanent Constitution is altogeth.
err another affair, to be decided at another
time. We hope this is plain.
But in order that the people may vote
with the fullest and most explicit under
standing we append the differences be.
tween the Provisional Constitution and
that of the United States. These are the
ALTERATIONS.
1st. The Provisional Constitution differs
from the otherin this: That the Legisla-
tive powers of the Provisional Govern.
ment are vested in the Congress now as.
sembled and this body exercises all the
functions that are exercised by either OF
both branches of the United States Gov.
ernment.
Cd. The Provisional President hol Is his
office for one year, unless soonersuspend.
ed by the establishment of a permanen!
government.
ID. Each State is erected into distinct
Judicial District--the Judge having all
the powers heretofore vested in the Dis
trict and Circuit 1hts; and the severa
District Judges together compose the SUI
preme Bench-a majority of them consti
tuting n quorum.
4th. The power is conferred on the Con
gress to legislate for the transfer of cause.
pending i'm the courts of the United
States, to the courtc'cf the Confcderacy
and for the execution of the orders, de
crecs and judgments, heretofore rendered
by The said courts Of the United States
and also to pass all laws requisite for the
protection of parties in interest, thei
heirs, personal representatives, or assign
ees.
9Th. Wherever the word "Union o,
Omitted" occurs in the Constitution Of
the United States the word Conlederacy'
or confederate is submitted; also
where theword delegated" occurs in the
old Constitution, the word "eXcess" il
substituted in the new.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE ADDITIONS.
LIST. The President may veto any sepa
rate appropriation, without vetoing the
whole bill i'm which it is contained
I'd. The African slave trade is prohibit
ed.
3d. Congress is empowered to prohibi
the introduction of slaves from any State
not member of this Confederacy
4th. All appropriations must be upor
the demand of the President, or heads O
department.
OMISSIONS.
1st There is no prohibition on mem
bers of Congress holding other offices o
honor and emolument under the Provis
ional Government.
I'd. There is no provision for neutra
spot for the location of seat of Govern
ment, or for sites for Forts, Arsenals ano
Dockyards. Consequently, there is nc
reference made to the Territorial power.
of the Provisional Government.
Sd. The section in the old Constitution
in reference to capitation and other direct
tax, is omitted also, the section provid
ing that no tax or duty shall be laid or
any exports.
troops or ships of war, in time of peace, is
omitted.
5. The Constitution being provisional
merely, no provision is made for ITS ratif
cation.
AMENDMENTS.
LIST. The fugitive slave clause Of the OLD
Constitution is so amended as to contain
the word "slave," and to provide for full
compensation in cases OF abduction oil
forcible rescue on the part Of the State in
which such abduction may take place.
I'd. Congress, by vote of two-thirds
stitution.
TEMPORARY PROVISIONS.
LIST. Tho Provisional Government is
required to take steps Immediately fol
the settlement of all matters between the
States forming it, and their other late con
federates of the United States, in relation
to the public DrOpertV and the plfblif