The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1865-12-21
FROM WASHINGTON.

~
of national distinction from various
parts of the country, to hear the argu-
ment on the application of A. III. Gar,
land, OF Arkansas, to be admitted to
practice without taking the oath requir-
ed by the act of Congress. Mr.. Gar
land was an attorney of the court before
the war, and has received a pardon
from the President for his acts during
the rebellion. The counsel for the ap-
plicant are Mr.. Garland himself, Hon.
Reverdy johnson, of. Maryland, and
Matt. H. Carpenter, of Wisconsin, and
the Attorney General, Mr.. Speed, on
the other side. 81 z -
Mr.. Carpenter opened the argument,
and proceeded at much length and abil-
-ity to show that the Presidents pardon
restored the applicant to all his rights
of citizenship, and that he should be
admitted to practice in the court with
out being required to take the oath pre-
scribed. He argued that the act of
Congress was a perpetual bar to the
holding of Office after pardon that
it was unconstitutional, and in conflict
with the Executive power to forgive
and reinstate. s-
Attorney General Speeds argument
in favor of the test-oath, as being with
in the province of legislation, and le-
gltlmate as aprecaution, opposed the
view that it was unconstitutional, and
maintained that Congress had clear
right to prescribe Office qualifications,
admitted the fact that an attorney was
an officer ~ % aia
The remarks of both gentlemen were
listened to with attention and interest.
Hon.. Reverdy johnson will continue
the argument on Friday next in support
of the application.
WASHINGTON, Dec. IA promi-
nent Western republican Congressman
will this week introduce a series of res
olutions in favor of admitting all the
Southern representatives who can take
the test oath and whose States have
abolished slavery and repudiated the re-
bel war debt; also declaring that the
right of suffrage should be regulated by
the States themselves.
Fourteen out of seventeen of the
Ohiolrepublican Congressional delega-
ton and seven out of eleven of the In
diana Congressman will vote for re-
peal of the Washington city charter, in
preference to favoring negro suffrage.
A strong influence in the Liberal in
terest is still urging Gen. Logan to &C.
cept the Mexican mission. ~.
Yesterday Secretary Seward received
dispatch from the Governor of Georgia,
announcing the ratification of the con-
stitutional amendment abolishing sla-
very by the State, Legislature before
its adjournment.
The Constitutional Amend
frr ment Ratified. rst.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 18.-The follow
ing official announcement has been
promulgated from the State Depart
ment: aa .a-. '.o..e...-..-.,l.
10 all to mshon these presents nsay
come Greeting: Know ye, that where as
the Congress of the United States on
tho FIRST of February last passed. a re-
solution which is in the words follow
ing, namely: GA resolution submit
ting to the Legislatures of the several
States proposition to amend the Con-
stltution eff the United States.
"Resotoed, By the Senate and House
OF Representatives of the United States
OF America, in Congress assembled,
two-thlrds of both Houses concurring,
that the following article be proposed to
the legislatures Of the several States as
an amendmentto the constitution of the
United States, which, when ratified by
three-fourths of said legislatures shall be
valid to all intents and purposes as
part OF the said constitution, namely:
"Article 13, section 1. Neither sla-
very nor Involuntary servitude except
as punishment for crime, whereof the
party shat have been duly convicted,
shall exist within the United States
OF any place subject to their jurisdic-
tion,, p
Section 2. Congress shall have pow
legislation"
And whereas it appears from Official
documents, on file in this Department,
that the amendment to the Constitution
OF the United States, proposed as afore-
said, has been ratified BIZ the legisla-
lures OF the States of Illinois. Rhode
Island, Michigan, Maryland, New York,
West Virginia, Maine, Kansas, Massa-
echhusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio,
Missouri, Nevada, Indiana, Louisiana
Minnesota, Wisconsin, Vermont. Ten
nessee, Arkansas, Connecticut, New
hampshire, South Carolina, Alabama
North Carolina and Georgia, in ali
twenty-seyen States; -
And, whereas the whole number Of
States in the Unired States is thirty-six:
and, whereas the before specially named
States whose Legislatures have ratified
the said proposed amendment, consti-
tute three-fourths of the whole number
OF States in the United States; -,
Now, therefore, be it known. that T
VIM. FL. Seward, Secretary of State
OF the United States, by virtue and in
pursuance of the second section of the
act OF Congress approved the goth of
A nr;l 1911 o.t:41IJ n -