Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1865-07-14
AL Act . diT.sl ,1s tt1seiiyE.I isssseha..

NHEREAs Inc hrSt nrtice and the nrst section
of the Declaration Of Rights in the Constitution OF
the State Of Tennessee declares-"Thata all power
is inherent in the people, and all free governments
are founded on their authority and instituted for
their peace, safety and happiness; for tho advance
mcht Of these ends they have at nil times an ina
hehahle and indefcasble right to alter, reform or
abolish the government in sucii manner as they
may think proper; and whercas, a large and respcc-
table convention Of the free and loyal pcopleo of tho
State Of Tennessee met in the city of Nashville, On,
the the 9th day of January 1865, and proposed
certain alterations, and amendments 10 the Cons-
tuition OF the State of Tennessee, for rejection or
ratihcatisn hy tbeloya people ON Che 2pd7of Feb
ruary following; and Whersds, said arnehlrhcnt
and schedule were soemnly ratified with great
pnauhnityby TIN authoritative voices Of the pepplps
md ehereas the 9th section of said schedule prov-
lied for the election Of Govegnor and members Of
the Legislature on the 4th day Of March, 1865, and
who, in accordance herewith, were elected by che
ballots Of the loyal people and ,ohGet, the same
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES in section 9th of the schedule,
delegated TO the general assembly, meeting FrSt
under this amended Constitution, the right to fix |
the qualiGGatQp OF waters and the limitation OF the
elective franchise; Therefore acting faithfully under
and in accordance with this delegation of supreme
power; "Ju IGi T2ile. t.f OH .' ~ 4" -Ht..
SEC. l. BE il enacted by the General assembly Of
the STATE Of Tennessee, That the following persons,
to- wit: LIST, Every white man tweuty-one years
OF the county wherein he may oGer his vote, six
months next preceding the day Of election, and
publicly known to have entertained unconditional
Union sentiments, from the outbreak OF the rebel
lion until the present time; and ID. Every white
man, citizen Of tho United States and citizen
OF the county wherein he may offer his vote, six
months next preceding the day of election, having
arrived at tbeage of tweuty-one years. since March
4th, 1865, provided he has not been engaged in
armed rebellion, against the authority OF the Uni
ted States, voluntarily and Sd. Every Write man
of lawful agecomng from another Stste0and being
citizen oftlI Bnited States, on proof of loyalty
to the United States, and being citizen OF the
county wherein he may offer his vote, six months
next preceding the day of election; ana Attn, Eve
~ white man = citizen of the United States, cit
izen Of this State, who has served rs soidiee in
the army of the United States, and has been or
may be hereafter honorably discharged theretrom;
and 5th Every white man, of lawful age, a citizen
of tie UntedT States, and citizen Of the county
Wherein he may offer his vote, six months prece
ding the day of election, who was conscripted by
force into the called Confederate army, and
known TO be a Union man. proof of loyalty to
f. the United States established by tile testimony Of
two voters under the previous clauses Of this Sec
ton; and 9Th isvery white man who voted in this
State at the Presidential election in November
llS64, or voted on the 22d of February, 1865, in
g this State, and all others who had taken the "Oath
III of Allegiance TO the United States, and may be
@ knqwn by the Judges of Elections 70 have been
oil true friends to tho Government of the United
l. States, and would have voted in said previously
! mentioned elections, If tho same had been holden
within their reach shall be entitled to the privilege
r of the eleetiye fanchisc.5 GcFcllE9A NJ
MI Sko II. BE ii further enacted, That Gl persons
e who are shall have been civil or diplomatic Off
GERS or diplomatic agents in the socaled Confede-
e rate States Of Anrica, or who have left judicial
q stations under tho United States or the State of
oiH in In, axisf
# cent rebellion against the authority of the United
q States, or who are or shall have been military or
naval officers of the so-called Confederate States
above the rank Of captain in the army or lieutenant
in the navy, or who have left seats in the United
States Congress, seats in the Legislature of the
"a State of Tennessee, to aid said rebellion, or have
= resigned cemHassoRs in the army or navy of the
4 United States ahd afterwards given voluntary aid
to said rebellion, or persons who have engaged in
any way treating otherwise than lawfully as prs-
!, oners of persons found in the United States
r as officers soldiers seamen, Or IN Other ca
pacities or persons who hive been or are obsenncs
from the United States for the purpose of aiding
the rebellion, persons who held pretended offices
. under the government of States in instruction
q against the niod States, persons who left their
homes within the jurisdiction and protection, or
filed before the Approach of the National forces and
passed beyond the Federal military lines into the
so-callo Confederate States, for the term of fifteen
n years ftom and after the passage of this act.
:. SEC, III BE 10 fafther7 enacted That all other
persons except those mentioned in Section Of this
act are hereby and hencelorth excluded and denied
the exercise of the elective franchise in this State
for the term Of Ave years from and after the passage
, of this act, .r4 ....r.. F.....,... ...E
! SEC. w. Be H.frther enacted That all persons
embraced in section III of this act after the exp
ration of said Ave years. may be readmttettto the
privilege Of the elective franchise by petition to the
Circuit or Chancery Court on proof of loyalty to
the United States in open Court upon the tcstimo-
ny of two or more loyal citizens OF the United
, States
Sec. Y. Be IL further enacted That solong as any
of the white citizens of the State of Tennessee,
who by this act entitled to exercise the elective
franchise shall be connected with the army of the
United States or with the militia force of this
State in actual service, the Governor shah issue
wrts of election to the commanding officers Of such
2 brigades regiments or attachments Of Tennessee
n soldiers, wherever located who shall open and hold
the election and receive the votes of their respec-
r. tive commands, nnl return the mme to the Secre-
tary of State and which shall be counted in the
same way and manner as if said votes had been
cast in any of ssthe counties of the State to Fhch
the soldiers belonged -----
SEC. vi. Be Il further enacted, That it shall be
the duty of the County Court Clerk in each county
to open and keep registration Ofyoters and before
n whom proof under OATH that the voter falls with
XII in the provisions of Article of this Act shall be
!, lnadei IforidH No man OF publicly known Union
sentiments shall be required to make oath in doing
the same, and ,said Clork shall receive such COM
f pensation,as tue County Court in each county may
deem proper; and also said Clerk shall issue to all
sadspersons certificate of registration and no one
shall be permitted by the Judges Of Elections to
=. vote unless so registered.
g SIC VI AHdbe IL further enacted, That any vo-
ter may be challenged by an ADMITTED voter OF Sec
ton of this Act on offering his vote, and there
r, upon the Judges of Eec ions shall ne pmptoriTC
administer to thepersons so challenger before per-
hitting him 10 vote the following OATH said oath
also to be taken byal Judges of Elections and can
n didates for office; .t.I
oil al solepnly swear that I will henceforth support
Y the Constitution of the United States and defend
against the assaults Of all its enemies that am an
active friend Of the Government of the United
IALaLns. that ....n Ln.-L.I,;