The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-06-29

| men anu WNOSc EAQtuIOu6 dRRAducC HA0 constantly reached the ears of the Con- vention. Now the rush to the Hobbies, to the galleries. and to the floor of the Con- vention Chamber resembied the rush Of of artillery heralded the event and ban- ners were displayed in all parts of the city. As if by magic, an immense flag of Alabama was thrown across the hall, and was greeted with cheer upon cheer until the rafters fairly rang with the ap- plause.
 name of the ladies of Alabama, and paid a splendid tribute to the ardor of female
 patriotism. It was accepted by M-. Al pheus Baker In one Of those glowing speeches for which he was so famous, in which the xord-painting was so brilliant
 and electric as to carry captive every heart.
 Throughout the day the roar of peace
 ful guns continued: more flags ieaped
 every moment to the wind, until the air
 was heavy with tho vast expanse of gor-
 geous bunting. Speeches of congratula- ton were being made by eloquent orato s
 to tho wil,. populace, and everywhere was
 seen an enthusiasm such as perhaps nev. CT before in the annals of the world
 greeted the birth of new government. On the 18th of aJnuary the report of
 the Special Committee upon the forma-
 ton of provisional and permanent gov.
 taken up by the Convention on motion
 of MT. Yancey. The report favored the
 formation of Confederate relations with
 such of the Southern States as might de-
 sire 1t, upon the basis of the Constitution
 of the United States. It advised the cleo
 ton of delegates to the provisional Con
 gress called to meet at Montgomery, Feb
 ruary 4th.
 The opponents of secession took the
 ground that new Convention should be
 called tb ipass upon the formation of
 permanent government. There still ling cred hope that while Alabama was un- fra rfafn lad " n ma w alilanoa she in a better condition to renew at any mo-
 ment her connection with the United States 3@
 Mir. 1IYancsy said that "the proposition has tendency to reopen the question of secession, by bringing up the issue of .reconstruction of the Federal Govern ment; it allows such an issue to be made; 1t invites it. Said he, from the signs of the times 1t would seem that coercive measures were to be adopted. If so. about tho time of such an election the people will be bearing the burthens of such a contest. Commercial and agricultural in- teresta will be suffering. Debts will be hard to pay. Provisions will be scarce.
 Perhaps death at the hands or the enemy will have come to the doors of many eamilies. Mems minds thus surrounded and affected by strong personal and self lsh considerations, will not be in that calm and well-balanced condition which is favorable to a correct and patriotic judgment of the question. The very state of things will perhaps exist which our black Republican enemies predict will ex- lst, and which they sneeringly rely upon to force our people to ask for readmis- sion into the Union."
 These remarks of MT, Yancey show con- clusively that he believed 1t to be the pur- pose of the advocates of a new Conven- ton to gain time and thus to enable the State to seize the first opportunity to re- turn to the Union.
 A motion that the plan for Confederate States Constitution should be submitted for ratification or rejection to new con vention to be elected by the people. was laid upon the table by vote of 49 in favor of laying 1t upon the table, and 8 opposed to tabling.
 A Recess Taken.
 The Convention adjourned until March 9th. Before dispersing Mir. Brooks said:
 We are free, and shall any of us cher ish any idea of a reconstruction of the old government. whereby Alabama will again link her rights, her fortunes and her destiny in a union with the North ern States? If any of you hold to such fatal opinion, let me entreat you. as you value the blessings of equality and freedom, dismiss It at once. There Is not cannot be, any security or peace for us in reconstructed government of the old material. l must believe that there Is not friend or advocate of reconstruction in this large body. The people of Alabama are now independent: sink or swim. live or die. they will continIe free, sovereign and Independent. Dismiss the idea of reconstruction of the old Union now and forever"
 On the 12th of March the permanent Constitution for the Confederate States was submitted to the Alabama Conyen- ton. MT. Jemison of Tuscaloosa, advo- cated it's submission to direct vote of the people, He said that there was great dissatisfaction in some sections of the State because the ordinance Of secession had not been so submitted. It would he Impossible now to plead want of time or necessity for nasty action. MT. Morgan | of Dallas, opposed submission of the | instrument to -he people. He said: The people would never ratify by direct | vote This doctrine of a direct vote of | tho people on ratification was absurd and | odious. A reference would give rise to | many distracting questions. The African | slave trade would be brought in; the | question of reconstruction, wish all it's | agitating features. would be brought in, ! and many other questions of sufficient | abstract merit to excite the people and | arouse opposition, but of no useful im- | portance. Our fathers never would have | ratified the old Constitution by a direct | vote. It was argued by the friends of l submission that the existing Convention' having adopted the ordinance of Secession. l was functus officio: that the format on | of 8 new government by Alabama with | certain States was new matter demand Ing a new voice from the people. It was | said that the proposed Constitution had l been framed by deputies elected by the | and not by the people. and | that tho people had nothing to say as to the ordinance of secession. the election of l Provisional Cover nm snt. or the forma- i in of permanent Constitution. Now hey were to be deprived of an opportun- ty of voting upon the kind of government lnder which they were to lvc.'
 Mir Smith of Tuscaloosa, said: They Ind themselves under new government md in amazement exclaim. who did this? They find themselves in the hands of a new Congress, and exclaim. who elected his new Congress? Who authorized 1t? The answer is, We are the People. Sir. hat we are the people in any but rep sense, Is absurd. It Is the limsy excuse for usurpations; it has been he characteristic of legislative tyran- lieS in all ages of the world, from the Areopagus to Cromwelfs Parliament.
 MT. Jemisons proposed amendment to he committees report. providing for the meeting of new Convention to pass lpon the Constitution. was finally voted own by ayes 3G. noes B.
 The Confederate States Constitution vas then ratified bv the Alabama Con- cation, only five votes being cast against
 On Tuesday March F. resolution was pproving the election of Jefferson Davis resident and Alexander Fl. Stephens rice- President, of the Provisional Gov rnment of tho Confederate States of Thus ended the first official act in the 1ost momentous struggle of modern mes the history of which is known to l II. Although the cause was lost. 1t was just and righteous one and will live in he minds and hearts of the people as | ,ng as time shall last.
 NIIpES nVSpEpNEA