The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1865-07-20
Speech of Gov. Johnson, of Geo.


Hon. James Johnson, Provisional Cover
nor Of Georgia:
Governor Johnson stated that he had
been commissioned by the President of
the United States Provisional Governor
ofGeorgia, and that by the terms of his
commission his chief, he might say his on
ly business was to provide for the re-or-
ganization of civil Government, and the
restoration of Georgia to her proper rcla-
tions to the Union.
That all might understand how this de-
sirable object might be effected, he pro-
posed assbriefy as possible to explain the
process, according to his own comprehen-
sion of it. The first and most important
step was for the people, one and all who
were entitled to amnesty, to qualify them
selves as votsrs,in the approaching cleo
ton. The oath to be taken and subscrib-
ed, was that prescribed in President john
sons proclamation of the 10Th of May,
1865. The fact thata citizen has taken
the oath under the proclamation of Pres
ident Lincoln, will not avail for the pro-
lection Of his personal and property rights.
He would not undertake to state even the
reasons of this policy. Let it suffice that
it had been so ordered by the Executive
of tile United States, who had Constitu-
tional control of the matter To enable.
the citizens to take this oath, the Secre-
tary of State had declared that any COM
missioncd officer of the United States, civ
il, military or naval, might administer it
to proper applicants. Before taking the
oath, however, the applicant was required
to make affidavit that he did not belong
to any of the excepted classes. Having
done this, he was then allowed the oath
of amnesty, which operated as a pardon
for all past political offences. and restored
him fully to the rights ofcitizenship. The
original oath was retained by the officer
and transmitted to Washington for regis
try, and a certified copy was furnished the
citizen, which was in all eases proof ofhis.
right TO the elective franchise and his el-
igibility to Office. In case &he applicant
belonged to the excepted classes, he still,
took the oath. But instead of receiving
a certified copy, he was furnished with
the original affidavit, andif he desired spc-
cial pardon, be forwarded to the Presi-
dent written statement Of the facts and
to that statement attached the original,
oath. Ifpardoned by the President. of
course all his disabilities will be removed.
The distinguished speaker stated, in
this connection, that for the present he
had no.powcr himself to entertain appli-
cations for pardon, but that it was prob
able these applications would be, after a
littlo, referred to the Provisional Govern
OF. In that event, he would DO every
thing consistent with the public interest
to relieve his fellow citizens pains and,
penalties. He knew, likewise, that the
Government did not seek to inAict suffer-
ing or impose hardships on the people, it
only insisted on q sufficient guaranty for
future good conduct. =
Nor was it the design of the Govern
mcnt to humiliate the people by this ex-
action Of an OATH butt simply exercised
its rights to prevent any but its friends
from using political power. Some objcc-
ted to taking the oath because it pIedged
the citizen to support the proclamations
touching slavery. This had ceased to be
practical question. The constitutional
amendment abolishing slavery only lack
ed two States for its adoption, andi it was
morally certain that kentucky, Ney Ier-
scy, Delaware and probably Virginia,
would adopt it. Furthermore said Gov
crnor johnson, I venture the legal opin-
ion that slavery is dead, by virtue of the
war power of the United States. His
argument on this point was profoundly
logical, and carried conviction to every
mind. Nor did he believe that the work
of emancipation would stop with the
Southern States. 1t would extend to Gu
ba, Brazil, and even the slaveholding dis
tricts of Africa, and that they would enjoy
a prosperity under the new system
OF labor.
Others objected to the oath because it
required the citizen to swear to the sup.
port of the Union. Our views upon this
question must be-. materially modified
The South has made gigantic and gal
liant effort for independence, and has fail.