The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-02-22
The New Government.

We have had on file for several days
the Constitution OF the Provisional Gov
eminent of the Southern Confedracy, but
have not been able to print IL. As an
important part Of the history Of this move
ment. we shall lay IL before our readers
as soon as convenient. In the meantime
we present a couple of extracts from the
Charleston Mercury strongly condemnato-
ry Of some of its leading features. We
do 30, however, with the statement that
in our opinion. the Mercury is the most
Maynard, sophistical and superficial pa
per on the subjects embraced in political
economy now printed in America: Pat.
[FrOm the Charleston Mercury Feb. l2l
We regret that any Provisional Gov
eminent was formed at all, and in one or
two important particulars confess to dis
appointment and surprise at the Govern
ment and laws enacted IL soems that the
United States Protective Tariff of 81 has
been adopted, and that positive con-
domination of the institution of slavery,
through the slave trade, has been insert
ed into the Constitution itself Neither
Of these did we expect. We did not sup
pose that any Southern Government,
whether for month or year, would
sanction the policy Of Protective Tariffs.
The tariff of '57 is odious ard oppressive
in its determinations. IL was made to ia
vor Northern enterprise at the expense OF
the people Of the S0ath--a huge free-list
for theHn1inehno of taxation for us
to- lintain Is adyaEse to
about byn partial remission of duties or a
partial imposition, it is still the same in
effect. We enter our protest against the
scheme and policy, both as regards our.
selves and in the results so far as foreign
nations are concerned, and their friend
ship, at this time, Is valuable to us. In
each respect Free Trade is the true policy
of the Confederate States.
We deem il also unfortunate and MAJ
apropos that the stigma of illegitimacy
and Illegally should be placed upon the
institution Of slavery by fundamental
law against the slare trade. In our opin.
ion it is a matter of policy, and not OF
principle, to be decided now and hereaf
ter, from sound views of the necessities
and safety of our people. We think it q
proper subject of legislation.
From the Charleston Mercury, Feb 1871
In our issue of yesterday we took occa.
sion to speak, with some dissatisfaction
OF certain features of the Provisional Gov.
eminent, 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 car.
ried into the Permanent Government
and probably was never intended to be
carried there. They were doubtless in.
tended TO conciliate the Border Slave
States, and induce them to an early union:
but the concern we have expressed was
not unwarrantable. 1t may be ouestiona.
able whether, should the Border Slave
States be induced to union by such at
tractive features of the Constitution, il
would be proper to propose change. II
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 accept-and, as we would
certainly lament the final adoption of the
policy excepted to,--as we would lament
a constitutional brand upon the institution
of domestic slavery-we think it eminent
ly important that those who deprecate
these measures should make the efforts
necessary to Qefent them