The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-07-11

administering the Amnesty Oath. and for their !
benefit we will attempt an explanation. at the |
same time referring TO the Amnesty Proclamation |
of President johnson and to the instructions is-
sued by Secretary Seward. to sustain what say.
Those who not excluded by either of the
fourteen exceptions mentioned in the Presidents
nesty by taking the oath from 'any commission
ed officer, civil military or naval. in the service
of the United States By reference to the Pre-
sdent's proclamation it will be seen that he says:
ITO this end therefore, that the authority of the
government of the United States may be restored,
and that peace, order and freedom may be estab-
lished, l. Andrew johnson, President of the United
States, do proclaim and declare that hereby grant
all persons who have directly indirectly par
tcipated in the existing rebellion, except herein
after excepted, amnesty and pardon, with restoration
Of all rights Of property, except 10 slaves and
cept in cases where legal proceedings, under the
laws Of the United States providing for the confs
cation of property of persoCs engaged in rebellion
haze been instituted but the condition, neverthe
less that every such person shall take and subscribe
the following oath or affirmation" &c. Here fol-
lows the prescribed oath.1
"The Secretary of State will establish rules and
regulations for administering and recording the
said amnesty oath so to insure it's benefit 20 the
people, and guard the government against fraud"
Under date of washington. May Doth the
Secretary of State issued rules and regulations
for administering the amnesty oath, from which
we extract the following:
Pursuant this instruction, you are informed
that the oath prescribed in the proclamation may
be taken and subscribed before any commissioned
officer, civil, military naval in the service OF the
United States, any civil or military officer of
loyal State or Territory, who by the laws thereof
may be qualified for administering oaths. All Off
J GERS who receive such oaths hereby authorized
to give certified copies thereof to the persons respec-
! lively by whom they made; and such officers
hereby required to transmit the originals OF such
oaths at early day may be convenient TO this
| Department. where they will be deposited and re-
main in the archives of the government"
So it is plain that those who are not specially
| excluded. and who have taken the amnesty oath
before military officer, are pardoned and re-
stored to all rights of property" and it is not
necessary to go before the County Boards to Sc
cure that object. 1t is the right of every man
who is not excluded by the specifications of the
President, to take the oath and its benefit.
No oficeholder under the State government.
except the Governor. is excluded from the benefit
of the Amnesty by of having held State
| Office.
| But. while taking the oath before military Of
fcer secures pardon, &C.. for the individual
SO taking it, it is said that it does not authorize
him to hold office or vote at elections in this
State. 1t is understood that the Governor will
| soon issue instructions requiring all who desire
to vote to go before the County Boards. take
the oath and, have his enrolled--the
Governor being authorized by the President to
| prescribe such rules as he may consider neces-
sary for the qualification of voters.
We are not aware that Gov. Holden has yet IS
sued instructions to the County Magistrates. We
| presume when he does they will be publish
ed for the information of all citizens of the State.
| SOUTH CARoLINA.Benj. F. Perry, Esq. has
been appointed Provisional Governor of South
Carolina. A good appointment, no doubt. MI
Perry formerly published paper at Greenville
| President johnson seems to have great confidence
| in Editors that they will DO things right; and o.
course we ought to say that he is sensible man
Y~ The North Carolina Advertiser " is the
name of new paper published at Raleigh BY
Messrs Battle. Heck & Co., Land Agents.
| Messrs E Drake s. Son. at Statesville, have
commenced" the publication of paper called
The American, in place of the = Iredell Elk
press which was destroyed by Stoneman's troops
The Daily News is new paper started a
Fayetteville by Benz. Robinson, Esq.
The N. C. Christian Advocate has been revived
at Raleigh by Rev w E Pel-one of the best re
lgous papers in the country.
A card from the propretors OF the late Fay
etteyille Observer will be found in another column
i u It will be seen by advertise ment that the
Trustees of Davidson College required Il
meet on the 18th inst. e