The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-02-02

all the States of this Union there is a
qualification attached to voters without
regard to treason, traitors, Or anything
OF the kind. And taking the State Of
Tennessee for an illustration, what is the
qualifications We find that the person
to vots must be eitizsa Of She United
States; next he muss be free white
man. want you to understand that
although am going 10 talk about negroes
presently, AN f9r white mans govern
ment Leheers, and in favor Of free
white qualified voters controlling this
country, without regard TO negroes.
Continued cheering Next, the voter
must have been in the country six months
immediately preceding the day Of cleo
ton. Then If we were - sayin addi-
ton, before you can Yote, you must take
an oath something like the following;
Isolemnly swear, that viii hencsfOrth
support the Constitution Of the United
States, and defend it against the assaults
of all its enemies; that Twill hereafter
be, and conduct myself as true and
faithful citizen Of the United States, /.
freely and voluntarily claiming to besub II
ject to al the duties and obligations, and
entitled to all the rights aud privileges
Of such citizenship; that ardently de-
sire the suppression Of the present in
surrectiOn and rebellion against the Gov
eminent of the United States, the success
Of its armies and the defeat Of all those
who oppose them, and that the Consti-
tuition of the United States, and all laws
aud proclamations made in pursuance
thereof, may be speedily and permanent
" established and enforced over all the
people, States and Territories thereof
and further, that I will hereafter heartily
aid and assist all loyal psOplsi In the &C.
complishment of these results. SO help
me God. 9eh. eih. c1
Is there any one, Union at heart, who
can object to taking On oath Ike this /
( A voice-"None." Is there q solitary
Union man who csnnet take this oath ?
[ Voices, "no,no"1 Is there any Union man
but what would take great pleasure in
coming before the judges Of election and
take this oath TO test him who has been |
warning against his cOuntry2 You put |
him to the test, you don't come up asking
pardon, but are only giving evidence Of
being loyal and qualified voter. These !
are simply the qualifications of q voter. |
On the other hand, if there is any body |
in this large assembly Of voters who I
needs and desires q pardon or amnesty, [
whether he seeks it IN good faith or FIR |
the purpose Of saving little remnant Of /
negro or anyother property, I would say t
to him, "Go over there; there is an altar
for you. There is President Lincoln's
altar If you want pardon or amnesty
if petitiOning to the President tor exec
utiye cl4menoy. II you want TO escape
the penalties you have incurred by viola
tons of law and the constitution, go
over and get your pardon. We are not
in need Of it; we wish not to fake that
cath; that is the oath for him who hss
committed crime" Now, gentlemep, il
seems to me this will be fair. We want
a bard osih-a tight Osth-as aquslifica-
ton for every body that votes. lie that
wants pardon must take the oath pre-
scribed by the President Of the United /
States; and | ana free to say that think /
the President has been exceedingly lenient /
in permitting them to do that, If this
will not do, will you suggest something
that viii be better? What standard will
you erect? Don't stand here and find
fault with my suggestions and say they
viii not do; but suggest others that are
better and more acceptable. / am for
rule that viii test loyal man ss against
} disloyal one; that is he rule am for.