Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-02-15
TO the Constitution.

We lay before the voters of East Tennessee the
amendments to the Constitution proposed by the
late Nashville Convention together with tho Sched
uo and Resolutions accompanying them, Upon
these the loyal voters are called to pass sentence on
the 2?d of February, Those in favor of the adop-
ton of the Amendments and Schedule will vote n
ticket on which shall be written or printed, RATI-
rIcATIoN, and those opposed will deposit ballot
on which shall bo written or printed, "REJEcrloN.'
We have no doubt but all loyal men will vote Rat
fcdtioa, md adopt the amendments by acclamo-
ton, They are just the thing, adopted by five hun
dred and twenty-one delegates, representing all the
counties in the State, than half of whom were
shareholders. ,..,. Z. 2 . ~ Jilgll. ,s-sa
Should the people ratfy these amendments ms
they certain to do then the lh of March they
elect Governor and Legislature who shall meet Mt
the Capitol on the first Monday of April next
Let us all go to work and put these measures
through
The first Article and the first Section of the Declara
ton of Right in the Constitution of the State Of Tcnnes
declares "That all power Is inherent IN the people
and all governments founded on their authority ana
instituted for their peace, safety and happiness and for
the advancement of these ends they have ut all times an
| inalicnablc and ndefeasabe right to alter, reform or
abolish tho government in such manner as they may
think proper" Therefore, the people of the State OF Ten
nessce citizens of the United States of America, in
yention assembled do PROFOUND the following alterations
and amendments TO the Constitution which, when ratified
by the sovereign loyal people, shall be and constitute
part Of the permanent Constitution of the State of Ten
| nessee
AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION.
ARTICLE l.
Sec. |. That slavery and involuntary soryude, except
punishment for crime, whereof tho party shall have
been duly convicted, hereby forever abolished and
prohibited throughout the State
Sec. O. The Legislature shall make law recognizing
the right Of property in man.
SCHEDULE.
Sec. |. Section 81 of the second article of the Const
tution which is ms follows; "The General Assembly
shall have power to pass laws for the emancipation OF
slaves without the consent Of their owner owners is
hereby abrogated.
Sec. @ The Convention, Agreement and Military
League entered into by the Commissioners of the State
of Tennessee and the Commissioners of the so.callcd
Confederate States made May g. 1861 and on the same
day ratified and confirmed by the Legislature, act
of treason and usurpati0n, unconstitutional, null and
void
Sec 3. "The Declaration of independence and ordi-
dsolying the Federal relations between the State
of Tennessee and the United States of America passed
and pr0mugaed by the Legislature of Tennessee the
9th day of May, 1861, by which the State declared
separated from the Federal Union, and all laws and
dnances by which Tennessee became n member of the
United States annuled and abrogaed was in like man
neT Ol ueasou usuIpatlon' uHVouotltutloHu
null and void.
Sec 4. No statute of limitations shall be held to ope
rate from and after the 9th day of May, 1851 until such
time hereafter the Legislature may prescribe, shall
any writ of be refused abate in any cause, or
suit decided since the 9th of May 1901 and prior to this
time by reason of any lapse of time And in all actions
for torts brought which may hereafter be brought in
the courts in this State by attachment levied upon the
pery Of the defendant the courts shall have power to pro-
coed to Judgment and collection of the same, upon
tracts without personal service of process upon the de-
PENDANT until the Legislature may see fit to change the
law in such
Sec. g. All laws ordinances and resolutions well as
all acts done in pursuance thereof under the authority of
the usurped State government after the declared indie
pcndence of the State of Tennessee, or after the 9th
day of May, 1861, unconstitutional null and void
from the beginning: Proricd, That this section shall
be construed affect any judicial decisions made
by the State Courts held at times differing from those
provided by law prior May 9th 1851 said Judicial de-
cisions being made pursuant to the laws of the State Of
Tennessee enacted previous to said date and between par
, ties present in Court and litigating their rights
Sec. G. All laws, ordinances and resolutions of the
usurped State government passed on or after the 9th day
of May 1861 providing for the issuance of State bonds
also all notes of the Bank of Tennessee, any of its
branches issued on or after the said ON day of May
void and no Legislature shall hereafter have the power
to pass any act authorizing the payment of said bonds
debts, providing for the redemption of said
Sec. 7. All civil and military officers which have been
the State, hereby affirmed and they shall continue
hold and exercise the functions Of their respective offices
until their shall be elected appointed, and
| qualified.
Sec S. That the proposed amendments to the Constitu
ton, and the schedule thereto be submitted to the people
at the ballot box the 22d day of February next and
that upon the adoption thereof by the people, election
be held the ith day of March next Governor and
members of the Legislature the latter to be voted for by
general ticket upon the basis prescribed in the aspor
toning representation in the State passed the 18th day
of February, 1882 to assemble at the Capitol the first
Monday of April next said officers to continue in Office
until their shall be elected and qualified under
the regular biennial election of S67-provded the said
apporonment be modified to give to the counties of
johnson, and Carter, and Campbell, and Anderson, and
Union, and Sewer, and Macon, and Hancock, each
member and to the district composed of the counties of
Fentress, Morgan and Scott additional member in
the House Of Representatives
See. g. The qualification of voters and the limitation of
the elective franchise may be determined by the Legsa
ure which shall first assemble under the amended Consti
| tuition
The foregoing present all the amendments pro
posed They embrace it will be seen, substantially
three propositions, towit abrogating the action of
the rebel authorities second the extinction of sla-
very; and thirdly, providing for Governor and
Legislature. The following resolutions indicate how
the elections are to be held:
R,olred That at the election in February those in ia
Of the foregoing Amendments and Schedule shall de-
| poso ballot on which shall be written Qualification"
and those who opposed shall deposite ballot on
which shall be written "Rejection."
R,soted That the elections in the several counties
shall be held at their county seats other convenient
places in the counties, by the following named persons
| to-wit
PERSONS AUTHORIZED TO OPEN AND HOLD THE
ELECTIONS.
Anderson John Lenart, Henry Holloway, and John
| Baker.
Bedford William Foster and Frank Brdgmnn
Benton John ii. Farmer.
Bledsoe A. Henegar
Blount Horace Foster, Stephen Matthews and James
| Henry jr
Bradley; Sheriff.
Campbell John Preston, Reuben Rogers and Pryor
Perkins.
Cannon Hiram Morris and VIM. Burton.
Carroll: William 7. Lowe and John Norwood
Carter: John NJ. Smith.
Cheatham Warren Jordan.
Claiborne: +. Jones'
Cooke Jacob Reagan, Andrew IIun and Sheriff