Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1866-11-23
THE ENABLING ACr.


In siev 5f the c9ntemptugus rejection q.
/ the Constitutional Amendment bg the late
[ IS rebenioas States, it has become evident
that additional legislation VIII b. neee arr
as soon as Congress meets in order TO hasten
TO speedy conclusion the rszed que ti9n Of
reca1s sru4lon. Hon Tb-ddsus Stevens.
during the last session Of Congress drew up
and submitted TO the House an Enabling
Act rsmanding the rebel States 10 terri
toliaI condition and providing for the re-
} construction Of their State c5nsgitutious and
their restoration to the rigb IS and privileges
u states ins such q manner as would forever
settle the status Of conquered rebel States.
This act failed to pass at the time because
the country hoped II conciIiate the beaten
but unrependng ehiyalry By excessive leni-
eacy. Now that the most magnauir1ous
terms ever offered to conquered rebels have
been rejected with scorn and contempt, We
hope 10 see the Honorable member. from
Lancaster, promptly fulGl his promise made
in his speech made at this place in Ssptsm-
Der last, 10 introduce tho act again al The
coming session aud press it to speedy
passage. The act reads as follows
WHEREAS the eleven States which lately
formed the government called the confederate
States of America have forfeited ali their
rights under the Constitution, aud can he re.
lnstatea iu The same only through tke action
of Congress: Therefore
bs II enacted 4g tAs sGaafe end L0Hsc Of
1el,ysyesstestiyss ~ tf~ S8fts1 St4fcs 0j 4g7,5-
ica IN Congress assembled That the eleven
States lately IN rebellion may form valid
State governments in the following manner:
SEC. 2. Aaa be a further enacted, That the
state governments now existing de f&et9 are
hereby Acknowledged IS valid governments
Tor municipal purposes until the same shall
be duly altered and their legislative and ex-
ecutive officers are hereby recognized as
such
SCI. g. 4aa be it till511er e5lqsieF. That the
Pres dent Of the Uaited States shall within
six MOI. ths. and IS often thereafter as he
shall deer proper, Issue has proclaim alton di
rectiur conventions to be called to f0l m legit-
innate CONSTITUTIONS for the respectiYe States.
He shall direct an election TO be held on
certain day to choose delegates to q -conVen-
ton, which shah meet st the time e ,ed By
him at She capital Of the State and 0rm
State constitution, which sbaJ be subj 1lttet
TO vote ot the people, and Il ratified by
majority Of the legal voters shad be dec Jared
10 be the constitution Of the state
SIC. +. 4aI he Il fathc enacted -Jhat
Tie person wh0 shall be entitled TO so5e at
both Of said elections shall be as follows az
Eaale citizens above the age Of twenty ne
gesss, 10 have resided one ycar n SAID z'tist'
and tea Gays witAia the election sistTios
SEc. s. -aHt DC e t3gtber eRGetst That tBsa
Ford citizen IS used in this set, shall be con-
straed 20 meaD ad persons except Ind5-
ans not taxed born oI duly naturaaIzed ia the
Z ngted States. Any maie citizen above the
,ss OF twenty 5ue years shah be eligible 81
ieleg2E5s 10 saSl convention.
SEC. &. a.s DC e further enacted, That o. /
'eTsoGIs who astd oifce, either civil og militia /
" under the government calledtae 'confed- /
rate States q america aHd Eh0 rolants-
lily tore atIegiaE &c Ia said government, gre