The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-02-03
PROCLA NATION
BY THE GOVERNOR.
NASHVILLE, January 26, 1864

eminent Of the United States, the people
of Tennessee have been deprived Tor
nearly three years Of al free, regular and
legitimate civil government, and they
are now without q Governor chosen in the
ordinary way, Legislature, Representa-
ton in the Congress of the United States,
snd without Courts, Judges, ChancellOrs
and the various legitimstely authorized
county officers.
And whereas, it is believed that ma
jority of the people of the State are ready
and desire 10 return to their allegiance TO
the Government of the United States,
and to re-orgauize and restore the State
Government to the exercise of its rightful
functions, IS 3 State Of the American
Union, under the Constitution of The
United States, and as an initiatOry step
in such reorganization and restoration,
IL is determined to open and hold an
election on the First Saturday in March
next in the various precincts, districts,
or wherever it is practicable so TO do, in
the respective counties of the State as
prescribed By the Laws and Constitution
of the State, TO wit: Justices Of the
Peace, Sheriff., Constables, Trustees,
Circuit and County Court Clerks, Regis
ters and Tax Collectors.
Now, therefore, in virtue of the author
ity vested in me, and for the purpose Of
bringing the State Of Tennessee within
the provisions of the Constitution of the
United States, which guarantees to each
State . Republican form of Government,
I do order said elections to be holden in
the various counties on the First Sstur-
day In March next, for the officers afOre-
ssid and none other.
But. in as much as these elestions are
ordered in the State Of Tennessee, as 3
State of the Union under the Federal
Constitution, ii is not expected that the
enemies of the United States will pro-
pose to vote, nor is it intended that they
be permitted to vote, or hold Office.
And in the midst Of 80 much disloy-
atty and hostility IS have existed among
the people Of this State, towards the Gov
eminent Of She United States, and in
order to secure the votes Of its friends,
and exclu ie those of its enemies, have
deemed il proper to make known the re-
quisite qualifications of the electors at
said elections. To entitle any person to
the privilege of voting, be must be free
white man; of the age of tWenty-one
years, being a citizen of the United
States, and a citizen of the county, where
\ be may Off-r his tie, six months preced-
ing the day of election, and a cOmpetent
witness in any court of justice of the
State, By the laws thereof against white
man, and not having been convicted of
bribery, or the offer 10 bride, of larceny,
or any other offence declared infamous
by the laws of the State, unless be has
been restored TO citizenship in the mode
pointed Oat by law. And he must take
and subscribe, before the Judges of the
Election, the following oath:
I solemnly swear, that I will hence
forth support the Constitution of the
United States aud defend il sgsinst the
assaults of all its enemies; that | will
hereafter be, and conduct myself as .
true and faithful citizen of the United
States, freely and voluntarily claiming
to be subject to all the duties, and obli-
cations, and entitled to ell the righta and
privileges Of such citzsr ship; that ar
IDENTIFY desire the suppression of the
present instruction and rebellion
against the Government of the United
States, the success of its armies and the
defeat of ell those who oppose them, and
that the Constitution of the United
States, and all laws and proclamations,
made in pursuance thereof, may be speedi-
" and permanently established and en-
forced over ell the people, States and
Territories thereof; and further, that
will hereafter heartily aid and assist all
loyal people in the accomplishment of
these results. So help me God.
And all the judges, officers, and per-
sons holding the election, before entering
upon their respective duties, in addition
10 the oath now required by the Laws of
the State, shall take and subscribe the
same oath, and also that they will per-
nit no one TO vote who hss not taken and
subscribed the oath above set forth, or
refuses to do so.
The Provisions Of the Code, in regard TO
Inspectors or Judges Of Election is as
follows.
SEQ SAL. The County Court, at the
session next preceding the day of cleo
ton, shall appoint three Inspectors or
Judges for each voting place 10 superin-
tend the election.
SEC s42. II the County Court fail to
make the appointment, or any person
appointed refuse to serve, the sheriff, with
the advice of three Justices of the Peace,
or IL none be present, three respectable
Freeholders, shall, before the beginning
of the election appoint said Inspectors
or Judges.
SEC. 54S. If the Sheriff, or other officer,
whose duty il is to attend ct particular
place of voting, under the foregoing pro-
visions, fail TO attend, any Justice Of the
Peace present or if no Justice Of the
Peace be present, any three freeholders
may perform the duties prescribed by the
preceding section, or in cAse Of necessity,
may act IS officers or inspectors.
Now, whereas, in many of the counties
there are no County Courts, SherifFs o
Justices of the Peace, and in others, the
persons now and heretofore filling these
Offices are disloysi, and therefore dis
qualified, in al such counties some re-
spectacle citizen Of the county will be
appointed 10 hold said elections, appoint
judges, clerks and other officers, either
by himself or bis deputies, and admins
ter the oath 10 such officers, and receive
the votes and make due returns thereof
to the Office Of Secretary Of State. All
other steps viii be taken, looking TO the
election of the other officers, Federal and
State, as soon as practicable.