The tri-weekly news. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1865-1876, 1865-07-01

ment OF President johnson, lie will have
the same right to reject the action of
the Convention that he originally had to-
authorize the Convention. Ifthe pow
ers he confers are not exercised Tor the
constitutional ends he sets forth, he can
treat everything done under their per-
version as of no effect. Practically, he
reserves to himself veto power, over
any disloyal or anti.republican feature
of the new Constitution of each of the
States. If as many fear, these conven'
tions should incorporate into their work
provisions that would revive slavery in
some different form, or in any way
operate oppressly upon the freedmen, or
If it should accord power to the Legisla.
ture that could be used to the same end,
such work would contravene the author
ity given by the President, and thwart
its declared purpose. We may be very
sure that President johnson would not
accept it, and that he would again remit
the derelct State to military government.
The knowledge that the President has
this power in reserve, will Of itself have
an immense influence IN constraining
the conventions to carry out their trust
in good faith to the Union and to every
Republican principle.
But there is still further protection;
and che quite independent of the action
or will of President Johnson, BY the
Constitution each branch Of Congress is
made the exclusive jndge of the qualii.
cations ofits own members. The credcn.
tials' of any Senator or Representative
sent to the National Councils by any of
the reclaimed States, may be subjected
to the severest scrutiny. Ii it shall be
made to appear that he was elected by
disloyal votes, or that the State which
he claims to represent has not in reality
reinstated q republican form Of govern.
ment, or that there is default IN any
other essential requirement, the repre-.
sentation will not be allowed. The jeal.
ousy and rigor with which this power
was exercised by each branch OF the last
Congress, against the claimants to seats
from Louisiana and Arkansas, although
those claimants were unquestionably 10y.
al, sufficiently attests what the disposi.
tion of the next Congress with its far
larger loyal majority, will be upon the
subject. The very oath which is now
prescribed by law as a prerequisite to
seat in other body, is so comprehensive
and strict as to be of itself an immense
obstacle to the schemes ,of sedition.
Every Senator and Representative, af.
ter his credentials are scrutinized and ap
proved, is obliged, by the law of July,
1862, before admitted to his seat, to take
this oath;
81, A. B., do solemnly swear (or af.
firm) that 1 have never Voluntarily borne
arms against the United States since 1
have been citizen thereof; that I have
voluntarily given no aid, countenance,
counsel or encouragement to persons Ell.
gagged in armed hostility thereto that I
have neither sought, nor accepted, nor
attempted to exercise the functions of
any office whatever, under any authori-
ty or pretended authority in hostility to
the United States; that have not yield.
ed a voluntary support to any pretended
government authority, power or consti.
tuition within the United States, hostile
or inimical thereto. And I do further
swear Tor afirm) that to the best of my
knowledge and ability, I will support
and defend the Constitution of the
United States against all enemies, for.
eign and domestic that / will bear
true faith and allegiance to the same !;
that l take this obligation freely, with.
out any mental reservation or purpose
Of evasion; and that 1 will we'll and
faithfully discharge the duties of the
office on which | am about to enter, so
help me God" III
Any person falsely taking that oath is
made by law guilty of perjury, and
subject to all the penalties now prescribed
for that offence. The oath seems to be
stringent enough to exclude ) all abet.
tors OF past treason, or fomentors OF
future sedition. ,.D,g !,
The reconstruction which is initiated
bY. thpsa nrocla mn tinne rf tba pras;doo,