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The Traitor's Confederacy.

The following is a synopsis of the permanent Constitution, adopted by the traitor's confederacy at their seat of Government, Montgomery, Ala.

No person who is foreign and not a citizen of the Confederate States is allowed to vote for any officer, civil or political, State or Federal.

Under the first clauses South Carolina is entitled to 5 Representatives in Congress; Georgia 10; Alabama 9; Florida 1; Mississippi 7; Louisiana 6; Texas 6; and each state to two Senators.

The State Legislature may impeach Judicial or Federal officers resident and acting in said states by a two-thirds vote.

Both Houses of Congress may grant seats on the floor to either of the principal officers of each executive department, with the privilege of discussing measures of his department.

Representation on the basis of three-fifths for slaves is continued.

Congress is not allowed through duties to foster any branch of industry.

The foreign slave-trade is prohibited.

Congress is prohibited from making appropriations unless by a vote of two-thirds of both Houses, except the appropriations be asked by the head of some department, or the President.

No extra compensation is to be allowed to any contractor, officer, or agent, after the contract is made, or the service rendered.

Every law shall relate to but one subject, and be expressed by titles.

The President and Vice-President are to hold office for six years.

The principal officers of departments and the diplomatic service are removable at the pleasure of the President. Other civil officers are removable when their services are unnecessary, or other good causes and reasons. Removals must be reported to the Senate when practicable. No captious removals are tolerated.

Other states are to be admitted to the Confederacy by a vote of two-thirds of both Houses.

The Confederacy may acquire Territory, and Slavery shall be acknowledged and protected by Congress and the Territorial Government.

When five states shall ratify the permanent Constitution, it shall be established for said states, until ratified. The provisional Constitution shall continue in force not extending beyond one year.

(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
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The Confederate States of America was officially formed on February 4, 1861. By then seven states - South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas - had seceded from the Union. A Provisional Constitution had been signed on February 8, seceded by a Permanent Constitution, signed March 11. Both were similar to the U.S. Constitution although there were crucial differences that reflected the divisions that had led to secession. Like the Articles of Confederation (used by Congress from around 1778 through 1787), there was a single-bodied Congress with each state having one vote. Congress chose the president and cabinet members served in Congress. But unlike the Articles, there was a president and he could veto laws. And there were other substantial differences. However in the end, most historians see this constitution as having created a country too decentralized to be able to effectively carry forward a sustained war. Abraham Lincoln, they argue, took powers that were hidden within the U.S. Constitution - powers no president had exercised before - to direct the course of the war and the nation to victory. On the other hand, Jefferson Davis the Confederate president, often fought his congress and lost, depriving him of crucial power in the trying times he would face.

 

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"The Traitor's Confederacy"

publisher   Greenfield Gazette and Courier
date   Mar 18, 1861
location   Greenfield, Massachusetts
height   6.5"
width   2.5"
process/materials   printed paper, ink
item type   Periodicals/Newspaper
accession #   #L02.121


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See Also...

"Union and Liberty"

"Jeff Davis' Proclamation"

"The Inaugural"


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