Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-07-10
THE PERMANENT CONTRIBUTION
or THE
con RATE STATE $

GolUNBIA, July 4, 1861.
To nc EaiiOrS Of DE Union and american;
As the people Of the State are 70 decide, at the
August election, whether they will rstily and adopt
the Permanent Constitution Of the Confederate
States it is important that they should have every
opportunity of examining and thoroughly under
standing its provisions, The Legislature acted
wisely in providing for the distribution of large
edItion,of the constituton but it has occurred to
me that il would be further useful to lay before the
people comparative analysis of those clauses Of
the United States and Confederate States Constitn
tons which differ from each other. l have accord
ingly prepared sloh comparative analysis, and if
you think it will aid in enabling the voters to de-
eide more Understandings, yon are at liberty to
publish it in your paper.
The examination CT the two constitutions, neces-
sary in preparing this paper, has impressed me
more strongly than ever to the value OF the al
terations and amendments made in the old constitu
ton. The Confederate States Constitution contains
but few new provisions. 1t follows the old constt
tuition strictly I'M the arrangement OF its articles
sections and clauses; and in much the greatest por
ton of the instrument the exact language is retain
ed 1t is really the United States Constitution coa>
str1ed in accordance with the true spirit and mean
ing of that instrument, and amended in accordance
with the suggestions of an enlightened experience.
In my estimation, the most striking and valuable
features in the new constitution are those which
adopt the constructions, placed by statesman of the
States Rights school, the clauses Of the old cons
stution Oh which federalists consolidationsts and
sectionalists have relied for the maintenance of their
doctrines As it is presented u.s. the Confederate
States Constitution recognizes and afrms with dis
tinctness and clearness, the great States Rights
principles, which alone, In my Judgment, popular
self-government is practicable With like distinct
ness and clearness it repudiates and excludes the
great antagonistic principles of federalism national
ism and sectionalsm. The destruction which has
oyertaken the Federal Union is the legitimate result
of the triumph of that fundamental principle Of evil
which claims that the people of the United States
constitute one aggregate nation, of which numer-
ical majority have the right as well the power,
to rule according 10 their discretion. This principle
has finally obtained Its triumph, by inducing politi-
cal sectonslism and religious fanaticsm to concen-
trate their forces on the slavery question, as the
available subject on which the Northern people
could be united.
We are now reaplng the first bitter fruits of thi
triumph in the unnatural war being waged, as re
Gently avowed by member of Mr.. LINCoLN's Cabl-
net, for the complete demolition of State Rights.
The Northern people enjoying its first fruits in
the overtArsw of the great bulwarks of constitu-
tional freedom The exclusion of this destructive
principle from.the Southern Confederacy, and the
permanent establishment of its government by a
successful resistance of the effort to subugate the
South, hold out the only hope for the final triumph
of constitutional popular government. Whilst our
people are putting forth all their strength and ener
ges in defence of their homes and firesides, they
should bear in mind that victory itself will be In
! complete unless we succeed in founding perma-
nent government which will establish justice, in
sure domestic tranquility and secure the blessings
of liberty to ouI ,lyes and our posterity. If such
a government is practicable (and believe 1t is)
am of opinion that the adoption and ratification OF
the Confederate States Constitution furnish the only
means now within our power for the attainment Of
I that object.
But l shall not enlarge on the general or special
! merits of this constitution. The paper which en-
close will be found to contain running comments on
/ the several clauses, presented in juxta-pOsition
showing at glance the points of difference between
the two constitutions, which hope may be useful
in enabling the people to form correct conclusions
Very respectfully, A. o. P. NICHOLSON.