The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1862-03-28
isiu Tor the hnslavement Of the
~ ! ,iaii hga South. 80 ~ ~ Fs7F

w y ,bii lFqd South. 80 ~ ~ EpA
"a billhss'hscn agreed tuon NJ ~,
mitsees OF both Hosncs of che Nostber,
Congress TO reduce she Southern State
~ tbe condition Of Territories ana q :,
taesish provisional governments for n,
sames We have copy Of the yin besoT,
US. and proceed 10 lay before the reader
synorsisof its ample provisions. B, I q
- ile bill authorizes and requires IN,
PRESIDENT of the United States to ss,,
possession of and OCCUPY the i,,s,,rtsc
tionary states Aof Alabama, Arkansas
FLORIDA. Georgia, Louisiana, Mississipp;
\ Nerthcarolinas South Carolina, ,renno..ee
Texas. and Eastern Virginia. IL il y,a5,,
the duty Of the psesidens to instituss
taHd protect withshc military and pavs
forGes, temporary civil government
with sucn na..nesand geographical boun
diaries as he may desis: nate. The civil 90
vernments thus established will be con
tihued until such time as the "loyal PEG.
pie" shall form new State governments,
and apply for and obtain admission into
the Union as States. The States thus
erected, will be admitted with the express
stipulation that they shall forever remain
part Of the American Union,
=. The temporary governments hereby
authorized for the several districts will
consist Of an Executive, Legislative and
Judicial Department. The Executive pow
er is veste ! in q Governor, and his powers
and duties are made the same as those
conferred upon the Governor of the Ter.
ritory of Washington. The Legislative
power is vested in a Council of not less
than seven, nor more than thirteen, and
the Judicial power in superior court,
and such inferior courts as the Council
may establish. All these officers will be
appointed by the President, and will hold
their offices until otherwise directed by
Congress.
3. The third section declares that no
"act shall be passed by the Council es-
tablishing, protecting, or recognizing the
existence of slavery, nor shall the tenn
porary government or any department
thereof. give sanction to or declare the
right OF one man to property in another,
in either of said districts, and no law or
act of the Governor or Legislative Coun-
Gil shall be valid, which is disapproved OF
by Congress-"
4. The Governor and Council are "au-
thorized to take possession of all aban.
doned, forfeited, or confscated estates
within the limits of said districts, in the
name and on behalfof the President and
the Congress of the United States, and to
lease the realty thereof on such terms and
tor such time, not to exceed five years."
as may be prescribed by law. "Provided,
That all leases shall be to actual occu-
pants who are loyal and have NOT been in
rebellion against the government of the
United States" The "leases shall be for
limited quantities, not to exceed one hun
dred and sixty acres to any one person.
it being the intent and purpose of this
to establish justice, and promote the
peace, safety and welfare of the inhabi-
tants, BY securing to all the enjoyment of life,
liberty, and the fruits Of their oVn labor"
The fifth section provides for the estab-
lishment of school system. The sixth
sets apart all the public lands in the re-
bellious States to be divided among the
Federal soldiers and sailors, and the fam
lilies of such as may die in the service, or
be killed. The seventh provides for the
organization of the courts. The eighth
declares that no person who has taken
part in the rebellion, either in the civil or
military service, or given aid and comfort
to the enemies of the United States,
"shall act as juror, or be entitled to the
privileges OF elector, or be eligible to any
office under the General Government, or
in either of said DISTRICTS The remain
ing sections relate to details, and are of no
special Importance.
People OF the South, such are the chains
which your enemies are now forging for
your subjugation and enslayement. 1t is
heir purpose to reduce our States to the
of Territories, and to place
Northern task-masters over us--to over.
brow the institution of slavery-give our
'ublic lands to their armed soldiers-cut
Up and divide our plantations into sec.
ions of l6O acres, and to lease the same
0 loyal negroes and Yankee emigrants-
nd to deny us the privilege of sitting
pom juries, of holding office, or voting
t elections. In other words, we are 10 be
inverted into slaves; and our negroes.
nd what is worse, our Yankee masters,
re to lord It over us.
Shall .his thing be done? Shall our
tates be reduced to the condition of Ter
tories? Shall our slaves be emancipated
nd permitted to sit ON juries, vote at
ections, and hold offices. while the same
rivileges are withheld from ourselves?--
hall our estates be confiscated and our
nds divided among the fanatical race
no are now seeking our subjugation9-
nall the sons and daughters of the South
. reduced to the condition of slaves, to
insulted and spit upon by sniveling
'olitionists and amalgamationisis? New
!! Never! 4ieasg
II is too late now to retraoe our steps if
n Wara hasa anouoh IN dae;ra IA O,r