Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-02-14
THE NATIONAL CRISIS.


phens Vice President. Tue constitu-
ton of the Southern Confederacy.
MONTGOMERY, Feb. 9---3 A. NJ
The Convention have just got through
with preparing the first copy for the
printer Of the Provisional Constitution
Its title is---'The Constitution for toe
Provisional Government of the Confed-
crate States of America. 1t follows
in the main the constitution of the old
Union. The preamble reads as follows
We, the Deputies of the sovereign
and independent States Of South Carroll
ma, Georgia Florida, Alabama, Mlssis-
sppi and Louisiana, invoking the favor
of Almighty God, do hereby, in behalf
of these States, ordain and establish this
constitution for the Provisional Govern
ment of the same to continue one year
from the Inauguration Of the President,
or until permanent constitution or
confederation between the said States
shall be put in operation, whatsoever
shall first occur.
The Seventh section, First article is as
follows:
The importation of African negroes
from any foreign country other than the
slaveholdiIg States of the United States
is hereby forbidden, and Congress is re-
CURED to pass such laws as shall effectu-
ally prevent tue same.
Article cond---Congress shall also
have power to prohibit the introduction
of slaves from any State not member
Of this confederacy,
Article fourth of the third clause of
the second section says:
"A slave in one State escaping to ano-
Their shall be delivered up on the claim
of the party to whom said slave may be-
long, by the executive authority Of the
State in which the slave may be found;
and in case of any abduction or forcible
rescue full compensation, including the
value of slave, and at all costs ami ex-
pcnses shall be made to the party by the
State in which such abduction or rescue
shall take place
Article sixth of the second clause, says:
The government hereby instituted
shall take immediate steps for the settle
meut of all matters between the States
forming it and their late confederates of
the United States in relation to the prop
erty and public Debt at the time oftheir
withdrawal from the Union, these States
hereby declaring it to be their wish and
earnest desire to adjust everything per-
tanning to the common property common
liabilities and common obligations OF
that Union upon principles of right, JUS
tice, equity aud good faith.
The tariff claus provides that the Con-
gress shall have power to lay and col
lect taxes. duties imposts, and excuses
for revenue necessary to pay the debts
and carry on the government of the con.
federacy, and all duties, imposts. and
excuses shall be uniform throughout the
confederacy.
All the other portions the Of constitu,
ton are almost identical with the consti
tuition of the United States.
The constitution was adopted unan.
imously.
MONTGOMERY, Feb. 9, 1861 .-ITnusu.
nj interest was manifested in the pro.
ceedings of the Southern Congress to.
day. The hall Of the Convention ant
the gallery were crowded with specta.
tors.
Mr.. Memmingcr presented bcautifu
model flag, made by the ladies of South
Carolina. This flag has blue cross OIL
red field. Seven stars are on the flag
1t was highly admired.
Mr.. Memminger also presented an
other model flag, made by a gentleman
of Charleston 1t has cross and litteer
stars on field of stripes.
A committee was appointed to repor
on flag. n seal, coat of arms aud &
motto for the Southern confederacy
The president was directed to appoint
committees on Foreign Affairs. on Fl
nance, on Military and Naval Affairs, ON
Postal Affairs, on Commerce and on Pa
fonts.
Hon. Jefferson Davis, Of Mississippi.
was then elected President. and Hon.
Alex. ii. Stephens. OF Georgia. Vice
President of the Southern confederacy
The vote was unanimous.
A resolution was adopted for appoin'
ting committee Of three Alabama dep,
uties to inquire and report on what term,
suitable buildings in Montgomery, fol-
the use of the several executive depart.
ments of the confederacy under the pro-
visional government, could be had.
An ordinance was passed continuing
the force until repealed or altered by the
Southern Congress, all laws of the Uni
ted States in force or use on the Isl OF
November last. 1t is understood that
under this law tariff will be laid on all
goods brought from tho United States.
| A resolution was adopted instructine
the Committee on Finance 60 report
promptly a tariff for raising revenue 70
the support of the government
A resolution was adopted authorizing
the appointment of committee to report
a constitution for the pcrma nent govern.
ment of the confederacy.
The Congress was about two hours il
secret session, and the rest of the pro-
ceedings were conducted openly.