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


AEVui NuS -fe1hfAAAN
The Legislature, at its late session de-
clared the independence Of Tennessee,
and adopted the Provisional Government
of the Confederate States and then sub
mitted their action in both these respects
to the people for their approval, designat-
ing the Sth 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. -.----
.. 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-separation
from a government whose administrative
agents have subyerted and violated its
Constitution; who deny us the right of
revolution, which we have declared to be
inalienable, and seek to compel us TO sub
NIT to injustice, inequality and wrong by
force of arms. We trust there is not a
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 enslavement, and against his
brthright 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 a 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 friendsi in 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 ProviSion-
al Government, and not for 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, or
until such time, within the year, asst
may be superseded by permanent gov
eminent. In voting affirmatively 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
hbiEhAliONCs
1st. The Provisional Constitution differs
from the other in this: That the Legisla.
tive powers of the Provisional Govern.
ment are vested in the Congress now as.
seInbled, and this body exercises all the
functions that are exercised by either OF
both branches OF the United States Gov.
eminent.
I'd. The Provisional President hol Is his
office for one year, unless soonersuspend'
ed by the establishment OF permanent
government.
I'd. Each STATE is erected into distinct
Judicial Distriet-the Judge having all
the powers heretofore vested in the Dis
trict and Circuit Courts; and the several
District Judges together compose the SUI
preme Bench-a majority of them consti-
tuting a quorum.
4th. The power is conferred on the Con.
gress to legislate for the transfer of causes
pending in the courts of the United
States, to the courts of the Confederacy,
and for the execution of the orders, de.
crees 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, their
heirs, personal representatives., or assign
ees.
9Th. Wherever the word "Union" or
Omitted" occurs in the Constitution OF
the United States the word Confederacy"
or "Confederate" is submitted also,
where theword delegated" occurs in the
old Constitution, the word "excess is
substituted in the new.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE ADDITIONS.
LIST. The President may veto any sepa-
rate appropriation, without vetoing the
whole bill in which it is contained.
I'd. The African slave trade is prohibit
ed.
Sd. Congress is empowered to prohibit
the introduction Of slaves from any State
not q member of this Confederacy.
4th. All appropriations must be upon
the demand Of the President, or heads Of
department.
OMISSIONS.
LIST. There is no prohibition on men,
bers of Congress holding other Offices of
honor and emolument under the Provis-
ional Government.
"a. There is no provision Tor neutral
spot for the location of seat of Govern
ment, or for sites for Forts, Arsenals and
Dockyards. Consequently, there is no
reference made to the Territorial powers
of the Provisional Government.
Sd. The section in the old Constitution
in reference to copitation and other direct
tax, is omitted also, the section provid.
ing that no tax or duty shall be laid on
any exports.
4. The prohibition on States keeping
troops or ships of war, in time Of peace, is
omitted.
5. The Constitution being provisional
merely, no provision is made for It's ratih-
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
CONDENSATION in cases of abduction or