Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-06-30
The following from the New York ri

bane, would seem to throw wet blanket
over the prospects of many OF the South
ern aspirants for Office, especially that
class that have just turned short corner ;
WASHINGTON, June %,
The following act OF Congress. prescrb-
ing a stringent test oath, has just been
brought to light, and has played havoc
among the Southern aspirants for Office
under the Government 1t will doubtless
he bar to many good men. especially in
North Carolina, where the State Govern
mcnt during the first three years OF the
Rebellion was in the hands of the anti-Se-
ccssionists. The effect of the discovery OF
/ this test OATH beneath the accumulated
/ legislation of three cventiul years, has pro-
duced quite sensation among our South
1 crn rccoustructionsts. Not one OF COY.
/ lloldcns nominccs..who were promptly
appointed to the places for which they
were recommended. can pass the ordeal ;
and the Governor himself is in the same
box. he having voted for the Secession or
dmanec and held til, Office Of State printer
during the war. The appointment of pro-
yisional Governor is, however, one not
known 10 the law and ii he draws no pay
may escape the ordeal. Mr. Robert /.
Dick. who is regarded as ono OF the most
sincere and consistent Unionists in North
Carolina, has declined TO qualify rs Uni
ted States District Judge, in consequence
of having in some way compromised HIM
self with the Coniedcraey'" II the right
cous cannot be saved, where shall the I'M
godly Rebels and the original Sccessioai>ts
II - q. ha r.rrnffpI TINT stiI.it
men are excluded from office under the
General Government ut such time, but
there is 10 help for it while the law re-
mains on the statute BOOK. l here is con
ISOLATION in the rclleetian however, that it
will keep all the guilty authors of the re-
bellion out in the cold. The act is as fol
lows
BE it enacted, &c. that hcseat1tr every
person ciScied or appointed to any Office oil
honor or profit under the United States
either III the ely military, or naval de
partmenis Of the public service, except
ing the President OF the United States
shall, btfore cpieriag upon the daties II
such o5Irc. and htf6rc bang oiltttted 10 tic
Sdtdryor ohcr tm,lameafS hcreoE take
and subscribe the following oath or affirm
alton:
II -, do solcmny swcar{or ailirm)
that have never voluntarily borne arms
asains: the United States. since | have
been a citizen thereof that have volun-
tarlv given no aid, couutcnancc, counsel
OF encouragement 10 persons engaged in
armed hostility thereto; that ! have neither
sought nor accepted nor attempted to cN-
crcisc the functions oi any Office Whatever,
under any authority or pretended author
ity III hostility to The United States; that
have not Yielded n voluntary support tn
any pretended Government, authority pow =
er or constitution, within the United
states, hostile or ininical thereto. And
do farther swear tor allifml that TO the
best Of my knowledge or ability | will
snpport the Constitution Of the United
states against all enemies. foreign and do
nestle: that will bear true faith and al
lesianec to the same; that take this oh
legation freely aud without mental OF pur-
pusr ot evasion. 30 help me God.
And any person who shall falsely take
the sad oath. shall be guilty of perjury.
and tn consi etion, III addition 10 HE Other
pcnalatcs now prescribed ioy that offence
I Shall b. deprived oi his Office and render.
Cd IiICdii"bic ip'tNSt "'''t "a ''t9liiS u4HC'
or place under tie United States.
Approved July lc'j22.
Fortunately there vii he fund in all
+ the Rebel states worthy and iegal men
f nee to ill the offices alPertaliing to til,
general Government aud the class q!
good men Who have compromised tdcm-
selves hat WHO are noW ready and anNiou
TO rrinrn to allegiance, can cooperate il
the Reorganization Of tie State Govern
uicni+ 1t is not probable that the &c
imposing the oath will Is repealed it i
too good drag mex TO catch Rebels in It
he thrown away l4t the President an,
each House Of Congress may be empower
cred 10 wave its application when clearly
convinced that it would operate unjastly
and exclude good men from office. Bu
for the present tInust take effect,