Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-03-14
The NIlssissEppI.

\ 4.
The Banner whose editorials occasionally evineg
an utter disregard Of the amenities Of the prsfss
sion. endesvors to extrisate itself from its position
of having attempted to create the impression shat
the Southern Csnfedsracy had set mp claim O con-
troll the navigation Of the Mississippi" by misrepre.
senting rs as the advocates Of such claim. The
Southern confedsraey has set up no such claim and
we hove never advocated its right to DO SO. Upon
the contrary the Southern Congress, Is the Banns
knows. has expressly enacted:
SEC. l. The Congress Of the Confederate States q
America do enact That the peaceful navigation OF
the Mississippi river is hereby declared fres to the
citizens Of the States upon its borders upon the
boats or ra1ss, or vessels, may navigate the same
under such regulations IS may be established BY
the States within their several Jurisdictions.
SEo 2 Bet farther enacted, All ships. boats or
vessels. Ehish may enter the Wsters Of the SAID
river, within the limits OF this Confederacy, from
any port place beyond the said limits, may Freely
pass with their cargoes to any other part OF pace
beyond the limits Of this Cenfederacy, Whert any
duty hin6rauce except light money, Pilotage ana
other like charges.
The Banner says by the treaty Of 1895, "Spain
acknowledged the claim, and stipulated, besides,
that the people of the United States should have the
right $50 deposit their merchandise and Effects in the
PORT of Nep Orleans, and 10 export them from thence
suitkOut paofng CIV OTHER DUTY then far price for
the use Of tse stOres."
The Southern COnfeieraey does net exact duties
from goods, wares and merchandise that may be
deposited in any of the ports Of the Mississippi to
be transhipped to any point beyond the limits Of
that Confederscy. When goods are carried into the
Southern Confederacy for sale, whether they come
from the United States or any other foreign Gov
eminent, they will be subject to their tariff laws.
We repeat that the Southern Confsserscy will not
give up their right to levy tariff upon goods i'm
ported into it. To give up that right would be to
yield their Independence and national existence.
There is a vast difference between goods imported
into a Government and goods in transitH placed in
deposit for. transhipment. The Banner says ''per-
ssience in the claim Ito levy tariff upon goods
imported into the Southern Confederscy up or down
the Mississipp) will lead, unquestiOnsby to trial
Of strength between the States which bold the
banks CT the river abCve and the States which com
pose the C0nfsderacy."
We venture that Tennessee viii never make the
absurd claim to import goods into any foreign gov
eminent, exempt from the tariff laws of that govern
Nhehb We luIb1ef Neuturt lhAt bne OGdtnefS party
sets up in its platform any such absurd claim
for the State. Certain States in the Union, with
impunity, totally deprive us of one species Of
property the moment we take il into their lin
its, and We hear no threat from the Banner that
there win be any "trial of strength" between these
States and Tennessee, but when Southern States,
out Of the Union, under an independent govern
ment, levy tariff upon goods imported there, then
we hear of 'tyrants and usurpers" and ga trial Of
strength" Why this difference! The Southern
Confederacy has passed its tariff Law. If the Ban
desires to ''precipitate" Tennessee the Fed
ersl Government into war with the Confederate
States for the exercise BY them of this right of
sovereignty, shall be found endesFOring to pre-
vent any such precipitation. The Southern Con-
federsey has passed its tariff laws if the Banner is
for war npOn that government let US know it.