Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-03-10
Confederate Constitution.

VI the OhlteC states. In OT0eT 10 lOIOIiu
our readers upon the subject, we have
procured a statement of the changes made
In the old federal constitution, and which
constitute the difference between that in
strument and our own: 4
The first change is in the preamble, in
which the words, provide for the common
defense, promote the general welfare are
omitted, and it is made to read thus We,
the people of the Confederate States, each
State acting in its sovereign and indepen-
dent character, in order to form a permanent
federal government, establish justice, en-
sure domestic tranquility, and secure the
blessings of liberty to ourselves and our
posterNy-invoking the favor and gui-
dance of Almighty God-do ordsin, &c.
Art. l. Sec. 1.-The word delegated
is substituted for granted
Art l. Sec. IL, requires that voters for
members of congress sshall be citizens OF
the Confederate States and provides that
no persons of foreign birth, not a eiti-
zen of the Confederate States, shall De al
lowed to vote for any officer, civil or po-
l%itical, state or federal
Art. l, Sec. II, Clause IL, omits the quail
t~ication of seven years , citizenship in a
member ofcongress.
Clause Sd reads in the 5th line, three
fifths of all slaves instead Of other per-
sons.
Clause 9th makes the new provision,
{ except that any judicial or other federal
officer resident and acting solely within
the limits of any state, may be impeached
by a vote of two-thirds of both branches of
the Legislature thereof
Sec. 3, Clause LIST, contains the addi-
tional provision that senators shall be chos-
en- at the regular session next immedi-
ately preceding the commencement of the
term of service
: Clause Sd, omits the qualification of
nine years citizenship for senator's.
Sec. 5, Clause I'd, requires two-thirds
! Of the whole number, instead of simply
6 two-thirds' to expel a member of con
gress.
Sec. 6, Clause I'd, has the additional pro>
: vision, : But congress may, by law, grant
. to the principal officer in each of the ex-
ecutive department., a seat upon the floor
of either House, with the privilege of dis
cassing any Measures appertaining to his
department.
= Sec. Z, Clause I'd has the new provision
. that, The President may approve any ap-
r. preparation and d~isapprove any other ap
preparation in the same bill. In such
case he shall, in signing the bill, designate
the appropriations disapproved, and shall
return a copy of such appropriation, with
" the objections, ETC., etc.
20 Sec. g., Clause LIST omits the words,
h general welfare and otherwise reads thus
IN To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts
II and excuses, for revenue necessary to pay
the debts, provide for the common defense
al and carry on the government of the Con-
federate States but no bounties shall b,
ne granted from the treasury nor shall an,
,e> duties or taxes on importations from for
eign nations be laid to promote or foste
~ any branch of industry etc.
:, Clause Sd has the following new pro
vision, 8 but neither this nor any othe
al clause contained 10 the constitution, sha
ever be construed to delegate the power t
H. appropriate money for any internal i'm
eir provement intended to facilitate com
1as merce except for the purpose of furnish
av- ing lights, beacons and buoys, and oth'
mo- aids to navigation upon the coasts and tt
,a1 removing of Instructions in river naviga
ton, in all which cases, such duties sha
in be laid on the navigation facilitated theret
der as may be necessary to pay the costs ar
,ro- expenses thereof
cat Clause 4th, upon bankrupt laws, b
added the words, but no law of congre
zen. shall discharge any debt contracted befo
OK. the passage of the same
Clause 7th has added the words, b
ven the expenses of the post Office departmer
r in after the 1st day of Mach, 1868, shall
4 of paid out of its own revenues
The Sec. 9th, Clause 1st, is substituted
the following:
um- L. The Importation of negroes of I
ally African race, from any foreign COUNT
use. other than the slayeholding states or t
!. by %ritories of the United States Of Ameri
efer- is hereby forbidden and congress is
Q IN quired to pass such laws as shall effe;
rink, ally prevent the anne
few g. Congress shall also have power
prohibit the introduction of slaves fir
the any state not a member of, or territory
dep. longing to, this Confederacy.'
these Clause Srd has the new provision, t
The 8 no law denying or imparing the RICH
GER property in negro slaves shall be pass
,ctor, Clause 9Th, prohibiting export dutie
stage taxes, has the exception made, 'excep
.dieal a vote of two. thirds of both Houses,