The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1865-12-16
Congress.
IHE RADICAL PROGRAMME.


Hoducsd the following bill in the Senate.
tie considers that the condition Of affairs
10 the South is such ss to impera,ivelv
demand prompt action in the premise. -
An Acr to maintain the freedom of the
inhabitants in the States declared in
insurrsction aud rebellion by the pro
eiamasion Of the President Of the Is.
Of July, 1862.
Be it enacted, &c, That all laws, stat.
utes acts, ordinances, rules and regulations
OF any description wtatsoever heretofore
IN force or held valid in any Of the States
which were declared TO be in insurrectiou
and rsbelliou by the proclaim alton Of the
lot Of July, 1892, whereby or wherein
any inequality Of civil rights and im,nu.
mites among the inhabitants of said States
h recognized, authorized, established Or
maintained BY reason OF or in consequence
OF any distinctions Of color, race or desce ut
OF py reason OF or in consequence OF a
previous condition or status OF slavery or
involuntary servitude OF such iub bi,au,s.
DO and are hereby declared null and void;
ar1 1t shall be unlawful to institute e,
make, ordain or establish in any Of the
States declared ~ aforesaid to be iu in
surrection aud rebellion any such Law,
statute. act, ordinance, rule or reev vlation,
or to enforce or to attempt to eniorse tbe
same. '' :
SEC. 2. Aud Be 1t further enscter.
That any person who shall violate either
Of the provisions Of this act shall be
deemed guilty Of q misdsmesnor, and
shall bs punished by . Cue Of not less than
i've hundred nor exceeding ten thousand
dollars. aud by imprisonment not less
than six non;hs nor exceeding Ave years,
and it.shnll be the duty Of :bs Pres;d cut
to enforce the provi.ious Of this act.
Mr.. Sumner introduced bill to pre-.
'sr's the right Of trial BY jury, which
provides that graod juriss shall consist,
ons-hslf Of Psrsoos Of African descent, in
sections where one sixth or,hs population
are Ai'icans. and the sams proportion in
Psu, juriss, where the matter relates to
any injuries inflicted BY . person Of A.
'ican dssesct upon . psr.ou no. Of such
descent or vice versa and R.judice
against such African race il made a
ground Of challenge and exclusion from
such juriss.
Mr.. Sumner introduced . bill prsscrib
ing sn oath to maintain . republican
form Of government 10 the States in 70
bsllion, - follows:
II do hereby swear that I will q. all
times hereafter use my bss, endsavors to
maintain . republican form Of govern
H,eot is toe State Of which am an in
habiiaot and in the Union Of the United
that / will al all times recognize
the indissolubls unity Of the republic, and
will sIyays discopntenancs and resist any
endea'ors to break away or secsds from
the Uoioo that I will give my influence
aud vote at al times TO sustain the na
,ionaI credit; ; tba, I will always discoun.
tsnaocs and resist any attempt, directly
or indirectly, to repudia,s or postpone
either in any part or in any way th 9 deb.
which Vas contracted by The United
States in subdaing the rebellion, or the
obligations assumed to the Uuion 80 ldier.:
will al~sys discoantsnaocs and rssis, any
Ia~s making any dis,inctious of color or
race. and in oil ways will strive to main
tain State Government completely Ioyal
10 the pnion, yhers aIl men shall enjoy
scual Protsc,iSn and equal rights.
Such oath ,hsll 10 psessr,e cd. and IL
falsely taken, such person shall BE- guilty
'f pu'jary. aud in addition to the present |
penalty fo' that crime, he shal! forfsi. hi.
right to hold Office.
Mr. Sunner introduced . bill TO en-.
oses the Coos,i,utiousl smsudmen. by |
scy attempt to control The |
'srviess Of any person contrary 10 ,hi.
''oyision, By . fos pot s1ossding 81 900 |
70 imp'isoomsot no. exceeding ten years,
v both. at the direction Of The Court |
nd Il shall Be no defence tina. such claim /
sanctioned BY any State Law. It 40.