The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-01-27
PROCL MATT o n
BY THE GOVERNOR.

sti,uiion and Laws Of Tennessee, and OF
the ne loTity Of The people Of the State,
and IS part of the legitimate fruits Of
secession and rebellion against the Gov
eminent Of the United States, the people
of Tennessee have been deprived for
nearly three years Of al free, regular and
legitimate civil government, and they
are nov without Governor chosen in the
ordinary way, L.gisls'ure, Representa-
tion in the Congress Of the United States,
and without Courts, Judges, ChancellOrs
and the various legiiimately authorized
county officers.
And whereas, it is believed that a ma
jOrity Of the people Of the State are ready
and desire TO return to their allegiance to
the Government of the United States,
and to re-orgsnize and restore the State
Government to the exercise Of its rightful
functions, as . 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., Consiables, Trustees,
Circuit and County Court Clerks, Regis
tiers 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
Stale a Republican form of Government,
I do order said elections to be holden in
the various counties on the First Satur-
day in March next, for the officers afore-
said and none other.
But in as much as these elestiOns sre
ordered in the State of Tennessee, as
State of the Union under the Federal
Constitution, it is not expected that the
enemies Of the United States will pro-
pose to vote, nor is it intended that they
be permitted 10 vote, or hold Office.
And in the midst of so much dislcy-
atty and hostility as have existed among
the people of this State, towards the Gov
ernment of the United States, and in
order to secure the votes of it's friends,
and exclude those Of its enemies, have
deemed it proper to make known the re-
quisite qualifications Of the electors at
said elections. To entitle any person to
the privilege of voting, he must be free
white man; of the age of twenty-One
years, being q citizen of the United
States, and citizen of the county, where
be may offer his vote, six months proceed
ing the day of election, and competent
witness in any court of justice of the
State, by the laws thereof against white
man, aud not having been convicted of
bribery, cr the ,Tsr to bride, of larceny,
or any other offence declared infamous
by the laws # the State, unless be has
been restored - citizenship in the mode
pointed by law. Aud be must take
and subscribe, before the judges of the
Election, the following oath:
l sOlemnly swear, that | will hence
forth support the COnsti ion of the
United States aud defsLd it against the
assaults of al its enemie-; that / will
hereafter be, an conduct myself as q
true and faithful citizen of The United
States, freely and voluntarily claiming
TO be subject to al the duties, and obi
cations, and entitled to all the fights and
privileges Of such citizenship; 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 all those who oppose them, and
that the Constitution of the United
States, and all laws and prOclamstiOns,
made in pursuance thereof, may be speedi-
ly and permanently established and en-
forced over all the people, States and
Territories thereof; and further, that l
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 10 vote who has not taken and
subscribed the oath above set forth, or
refuses 10 do so.
The Provisions of the Code, in regard to
inspectors or Judges of Election is as
follows.
SEC. Sal. The County Court, at the
session next preceding the day Of cleo
ton, shall appoint three Inspectors or
J Judges for each voting place to superin-
tend the election.
SIC s42. If the County Court fail to
make the appointment or any person
appointed refuse 70 serve, the sheriff, with
the advice Of three Justices Of the Peace,
or If none be present, three respectable
shall, before the beginning
Of the cleo ton appoint said Inspectors
or Judges.
SIC. s43. If the Sheriff, or other officer,
whose duty il is TO attend at particular
place of voting, under the foregoing pro-
visions, fail 70 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
section, or in case Of necessity,
NAV act - officers or inspectors.
Now, whereas, in many of the counties I
there are no County Courts, Sheritfs 0 j
Justices Of the Peace, and in others, the s
persons now and heretofore filing these {
offices are disloyal, and therefore dis .
qualified, in all such counties some re- i
spectacle citizen Of the county viii be '
appointed to hold said elections, appoint {
Judges, clerks and other officers either :
By himself or bis deputies, and admins e
Ter the oath 10 such officers, and receive c