The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1866-11-28

otitution OF the United States, every one
Of the following State officers, who entered
on the discharge Of his duties prior to the
goth day Of May 1861, took the oath to sup
mort the Constitution Of the United States,
viz the Governor. Judges of the Supreme
and Superior Courts. Public Treasurer.
Secretary ofState, Comptroller. Justices OF
the Peace, Sheritfs. Clerks Of the County
and Superior Courts, Clerks and Masters
in Equity, Clerk of the Supreme Court,
Gonstables, County Trustees, Coroners,
Registers, entry takers, processioners, ran
GERS, standard.keepers, surveyors, every
officer Of the militia, Attorney General,
State and County Solicitors, every member
Of the General Assembly, and every other
officer holding any office OF trust or profit
In this State. Every lawyer was likewise
required TO take it, though the right to prac-
rice law has not been held TO be an Office Of
trust on profit, The persons who had held
these offices prior to the war comprise
vast proper ton Of the population OF the
State. All postmasters and others who had
held office under the United States. had al
40 taken this oath. These classes embrac-
ed The great body Of the intelligence Of the
state.
When war had been inau gurated. when
one section had confronted the other IN
military connict,-when personal security
compelled obedience to those in de facfo
authority, who, of all these classes OF OH
GERS, who remained in the State, did not
Join his own sec ZION in the fight. or give
!. aid and comfort" in the technical sense OF
this phrase, or in the sense which future
Interpretation may assign to it, TO those
who did join in il Scarcely a man re-
manned among US who can conscienliously
say that he gave no aid and comfort" to
the Southern soldiers, during that conflict.
utstrange TO say !-thisamendment leaves
eligible 10 Office any one who went into a
Convention, and voted for the ordinance OF
secession, and any one who voluntarily took
up arms and fought on the side OF the South
20 the end Vt the war, or held seat 10 the
Confederate Congress, provided such per-
-oH had never taken an oath to support the
Constitution OF the United States.
Ifitbe held that deeper shade OF guilt
attaches TO those who had held Office and
taken this oath, than to others who owed
ike allegiance 70 the United States. is q
lawyer who had taken that oath and after
yards joined in the rebellion. less guilty
sh1n constable or postmaster, or other
inferior officer who had taken the oath and
afterwards given aid to the rebellionf If
II be .Said that the dispensing power re-
served to thirds OF Congress may be re-
bed on to prevent any special hardship, il
= Uncomfortable how 50 large body. charg-
ed with 80 many more Important duties,
coaid exercise ibis power with justice or
discretion. If this amendment should be
ratified, il is believed that not single one
could be found in the State who as, before
ths var, Governor, Judge Of the Su-
preme or Superior Cont, member OF Con-
gress, Or member of the Genera. Assembly
Of tais State. who would be eligible as a
county register or village postmaster, with
ont this dIspensatioD Oftwo thirds Of Con.
greSs. The advocates Of this amendment!
Urge that If We ratify il representation in
Congress wilt be conceded o and that,
Ii Vie reject ii, we must expect, from tie
4.ininantpauy il Congress, calamities still
more dire than We have yet felt. There is
~ variant fur either assertion. Ii would
have been as unbecomlng in Congress TO
tfer il 10 Us under any such promise, or
such threat, as il would be degrading to US
III ratiiy IL under such circumstance e. ii
slunld De considered solely In reference u
III fitness 70 form part Of the fundamental
law Of a country claiming high position a.
rieng enlightened aud Christian nations.
lac fl;n section Of this proposed article
has the same import, and IS intended to
convey AZ much power, Is II il were re-
Peated at the end Of each one Of The four
preceding sections. The original Const-
.Vtlon. ~ closing the catalogue Of the pow.
srs OF Congress, gives the authority :. to
make all laws which shall be necessary aud
rent,er for earrrin, $50, -. .,...... - :. g..