The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-07-11
4 DIrF1cuLrY IN TIE way OF OFFICE

the u. s. Government. The Raleigh Progress
calls attention to the matter and shows that while
the following Act Of Congress is in force no con-
scientious man who lived in the South during the
war qualify as a Federal oficeholder
Be it enacted, &c, That hereafter persons elected
or appointed to any Office OF honor or profit under
the Government of the United States, either ID the
civil, military naval Departments of the public
service, excepting the President of the U. S.. SHALL
before entering hpOn the duties of such Office and
before being entitled to the salary other emola-
mepts thereof take and subscribe the following oath
affirmation: ~ ...--'gssE
], -, do solemnly swear Cor afirm) that have
never voluntarily borne arms against tue .. States
since have been a citizen thereof that have VOL
UNFAIRLY given no aid, countenance, counsel Or
couragement to persons engaged In armed hostility
thereto that have heither sought accepted nor
attempted to exercise the functions of any Office
whatever under any authority, or pretended author
ity, in hostility to the United States; that have not
yielded voluntary support tC any pretended Gov.
ernment. authority, power orsconsttution within
the United States, hostile inimical thereto. And
do further swear Tor afirm) that-to the best of my
knowledge and ability will support and defend the
Constitution of the United States against all enemies
foreign and domestic; that win bear true faith and
allegiance to the same; that viii take this obliga
ton freely. without any characterization or pur
pose of evasion. So help me God.
And any person who shall falsely take the said
oath shall be guilty of perjury, and conviction, in
addition TO the other penalties prescribed for
that offence, shall be deprived of his office, and
dered incapable forever after Of holding any Office
place under the United States.
Approved July 2, 1862
We do not see how any man (who lived within
| the Confederate lines at least) subscribe to
the first clause or sentence of the oath. The
Progress says that R. p. Dick ia man who has
always been for the Union) and who recently
appointed U. S. District Judge in this State Twill
not qualify on account of the requirements of the
above Act, and that if he be forced to take the
oaths of office with that in existence and force, he
will decline the appointment rendered him.
| We hope some arrangement viii be- made so
that Mr. Dick can accept the office, for believe
he will make just and upright Judge.
The Progress calls for the repeal of the Act,
and remarks:
We think that loyal to the govern
ment Of the u. S. any in North Carolina,
that we are as good Union man as the best. and
| yet would not take the above oath to hold any
l-ofiee in the gift Of the President; and far the
| simple reason that could not take it without
! perjury. Nor do believe that there is u man
! in North Carolina with sufficient prominence to
render it probable that he will be called to official
position, that can"
| 4 Washington correspondent of the n. Y. Tri-
bune, speaking of the effect Of this Act. says:
"This act plays havoc among the Southern aspi-
rants for Office under the government. It will
doubtless be d bar many good men, especially in
North Carolina, where the State Government during
| the first three years Of the rebellion in the
hands of the anti-secessionists. The effect of the
discovery of this oath, beueath the accumula-
ted legislation of three evs ntfnl years. has pro-
duced quite sensation amoug Southern recon
stractionSts. Not one of Governor Holdens nomi-
nees who were promptly appointed to the places
for which they were recommended, can pass the Or
deal; and the Governor himself is in the same box
he having voted for the secession ordinance. and
held the Office of State Printer during the war The
appointment of Provisional Governor is, however
one not known to the law and if he draws no paw
he may escape the ordeal. Nj Robert P Dick who
is regarded of the most sincere and consist
ent Unonists in North Carolina, has declined to
qualify United States District Judge, in conse-
Quence OF having in some way compromised himself
with the .Confederacy. If the righteous cannoi be
saved, where shall the ungody rebels and original
secessonists appear? 1tis TO be regretted that such
men excluded from Office under the General Gov
eminent at such time, bnt there is no help for it
while the law remains on the statute book"
l. THE PIEDMONT RAMROAD.~-This Road ran
ming from Greensboro. n. c.. to Danville, Va.
has been taken possessi of by the U. S. author
tiles as the property of the late Confederate Gov,
ernment The Superintendent of the Road, Mr.
Thos. Dodamead addressed the following note
to the officer taking possession Of the property !:
Danville. Va. June "a, 1865
G. H. Darrance. Esq-Sir: In accordance with
the authority exhibited by you aid to the Trea-
sury Department of the United States I turn
over to you the property now the line of the
Piedmont Railroad, including eognes and cars
belonging to other companies in the State of Vir-
gna; also the materials in the shops at North
side belonging to the Richmond and Danville