The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-02-04
PROCLAMATION
BY THE GOVERNOR.
NAsHv1LLE. JanuarH 26. Is64.

secession and rebellion against the Gov
eminent of the United States, The people
of Tennessee have been deprived for
nearly three years of all free, regular and
legitimate civil government, and they
are now without Governor chosen in the
ordinsry way, Legislature, Representa-
tioa in the Congress Of the United States,
and without Courts, Judges, ChancelIOTs
and the various legitims,ely authorized
county officers.
And whereas, it is believed that ma
jority Of the people Of the State are ready
and desire 10 return 70 their allegiance TO
the Government Of the United States,
and to re organize and restore the State
Government TO the exercise Of its rightful
functions, as a State Of the American
Union, und.r the Constitution of the
United States, and as an initiatory step
in such re organization and restoration,
Il IL determined TO open aud bold an
election on the First s turday in March
nsxt, 10 The various precincts, districts,
or wherever IL IL practicable go 10 do, 10
The respective counties Of the State IS
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 aud 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 tho
United States, which guarantees to each
Sta'e Republican form Of Government,
/ do order ssid elections TO be holden in
the various counties on the First Sstur-
day ia March next, for the officers sfOre-
said aud none other.
Bat. in as much as these elections are
ordere d in tie State of Tennessee, as q
State of the Union under the Federal
Constitution, it is not expected that the
enemies Of the United States will pro-
pose 10 vote, nor is it intended that they
be permitted to vote, or hold Office.
And in the midst of go much dislOy-
atty and hostility as have existed among
the people Of this State, towards the Gov
eminent of the United States, and in
order TO secure the votes of its friends,
and exclu 10 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-ons
years, being q citizen of the United
States, and citizen of the county, where
be may off his te, six months preced-
ing the day Of election, and 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 to bride, of larceny,
or any other offence declared infamous
by the laws Of the State, unless he has
been restored to citizenship in the mode
pointed out by law. And be must take
and subscribe, before the Judges of the
Election, the following oath:
solemnly swear, that / will hence
forth support tho Constitution of the
United States and defend il against the
assaults of all its enemies; that | will
hereafter be, snd conduct myself as q
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 all the rights and
privileges Of such izeuship; 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, aud
that the Consultation of the United
States, AID ali laws and prOclsmations,
made IN pursuance thereof, may be speedi-
iy aud permanently established aud en-
forced over all 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 ali the adges, officers, aud 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 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.
SEQ. 81. The County Court, at the
session next preceding the day of cleo
tiou, shall appoint three Inspectors or
Judges for each voting place TO superin-
tend the election.
Sac S42. IL 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 If none be preseet, three respectable
Freeholders, shall, before the beginning
of the election appoint said Inspectors
or judges.
SEC. s43. If the Sheriff, or other officer,
whose duty it is TO attend ct particular
place of voting, under the foregoing pro-
visions, fsu to attend, any Justice of the
Peace present, or if no Jus ice of the
Pesce be present. any three freehOlders
may perform the duties prescribed by the
preceding section, or in case of necessity,
may 40 IS officers or inspectors.
Now, whereas, in many Of the counties
there are no County Courts, Sheriffs o
Justices Of the Pescs, and in Others the
persons now and heretofore filling these
Offices are dislOyal, and therefore dis
qualified, in all such cOuntiSs some re-
spectacle citizen Of the county viii be
appointed to hold said elections, sppOint
judges, clerks and other officers, either
By himself or his deputies, and admins
Ger the oath 10 such officers, and receive
the votes and make due returns thereof
20 the Office of Secretary Of State. All