Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1865-06-09
WHERE Is THE DIFFERENCE

The most amusing feature of this era, is
the toady manner in which the Copperhead
press throughout the country, are pouring
their foul adulation and fi1lsome praise upon
the head Of President Andrew johnson.
Every thing did by him is just the thing did
in the niche of time They pat him ON the
back, with that's right Andy You're a
capital fellow, Andy We win stand to
your back, and thousand and one other
pet phrases. BY the by, however, one of
the over jealous afraid some one viii surpass
him, over does the thing The Somerset
Democrat, edited by queer chap named
Hay, says in his last issue
''Mr. johnson has already abolished that
infamous oath of allegiance framed by Mr..
Lincoln, which required the disaffected citi-
zens of the South to swear that they would
support all the proclamations which the Pres
ident has issued or may issue respecting sla-
very. Mr.. johnson requires nothing of them
in the oath of allegiance, but simply to sup
port the Constitution and laws of the country.
This is all that can Justly bedemanded of them
and had these easy terms been offered to the
Southern people long since, the rebel armies
would have been depleted and peace been re-
stored to the country long ago.
To enable our readers to judge of the truth
of this fillsome panegyric, we viii quote the
oaths respectively submitted by Mr.. Lin
coin and closely followed by Mr. Johnson
Mr. Lincoln in his Amnesty Proclamation,
issued on the Sth day of December, 1868,
promulgated the following oath
L. do solemnly swear in the presence of
Almighty God, that | viii henceforth faithful
ly support and defend the Constitution of the
United States, and the union Of the States
hereunder, and that ] will in like manner
abide by and faithfully support all Acts OF
Congress. passed during the existing rebellion
with reference to slaves, so long and so far as
not repealed, modified or held void by Con-
gress or by decision of the Supreme Court
and that | viii in ike manner, abide by and
faithfully support all procamations of the
President made during the existing rebellion
having reference to slaves, so long and SO
far as not modified or declared void by decis-
ion of the Supreme Court. So help me God
Mr. johnson in the Amnesty Proclama
ton issued by him under date of May 20
1865, authorizesthe following:
l, - do solemnly swear, or affirm, in the
presence of Almighty God, that | viii hence
forth faithfully support and defend the Consti
tuition of the United States, and the Union o
the States Hereunder, and that | viii, in like
manner, abide by and faithfully support al
laws and proclamations which have been made
during the existing rebellion with reference tt
the emancipation of slaves, SO help me God
Where is the difference? The one was is
sued while rebellion was in existence, tn,
other after it had been thoroughly crushed
The latter is an abridgement of the formeI
containing every feature of the original, say,
the Supreme Court and Congressional ex
ceptons But Abraham Lincoln authorized
the one and Andrew johnson the other
There is the difference. There will not b
quite so much difference after the reading
"a IG7O zAmnvsuy L rUCIdmaCon 1t Il
quite probable Andy viii be cut by his Cop
perhead friends.