The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-07-26
= y. Blair on the Test Oath,
Geh' Rebels etc.

,r;.sollri, zen. L h''"'. ""' ieduce-
Als, 'o address the assemblage, which he
te" :, some length. In reference TO the
dlu q" a,,r; test oath, the General said:
Mi77n oath is unconstitutional and is
III and void, and has no obligation bind
nun n a nv body. Cheers. 1t has been de-
1;l'7i,d by the Supreme court OF the Uni
e Iad states to be null ana Vo!d: had 1t
l tom the lips of one OF the Judges of the
nin1nreme Court myself cneers la truth
lyman 81 man. He told me that the Supreme
n u, Tt by a majority, had decided that
the Void roid. continued applause, and the
a a,n,rision, he added, would De proclaimed
de. o. december, at the next term Of the
nn mex, me Court of the United States"
NV fellow-citizens, this is compul
-, ooth. You are compelled to take
; = or lose all your rights as citizens. AS
u w. ssro,nyself, will take it. Applause.
~ admit that | sympathlzed with those
49,, we're engaged in rebellion at the
ti@e that l took Ut, arms against them.
1ii 1--WE never ceased to sympathize with
ibenl. Applause. sympathize
.lita ,heln now more than ever, renew
ed applause, "iieh oNN NAV .i'.S aie
u ~ made the victims of prescription
70. u tbo ne who did not dare to 90 out and
e95bf Them. but who stayed at home,
a1s5 ne and applause; and while |
- fbjs admission, will still take
l!i5 9th IL They shall not hold this Gov
's.sa by any dereliction of duty up
e ~ nv part | will take the oath. and by
~ tsl.i in. It will assist to throw them out
If power. Applause. That is the in
iaa5ify which has been imposed upon
,4ia 19eople. You must either take this
III or submit to the rule of Radicalism
p oaT and for all time to come. You
@5st take this oath or allow republican
;s ,s. 10 be subverted in this land forever
iyaices. Well take the oath all of us. -
WeIl ven must not only take it, but go
bame and make your eOple take it al
~ Wen do it." and after YOU have ta-
hon it 90 and offer your votes to be reg
isterpd. and If the register refuse to re-
ceye it. sue, indiet him, Applause, and
iban 90 and offer your votes to the judi
ses OF the election, and if they refuse to
fake and record your vote as a qualified
voter. sue them and indiet them too.
IAppIaase.
IN referring to the efforts of the pres
emf Congress to enfranchise the negro,
he continued:
This Radical majority, at the begin
AiHe Of this session of Congress, made
disappearance upon the floors OF the
I've houses Of Congress demanding ne
no suffrage and the Acknowledgement oil
Inc white men of the eleven States re-
Gently in rebellion. 1t Was the inten-
tian and the object of that party to give
he right Of suffrage III those states to
Iae negroes, and take ii away from oui
04A race That gallant, heroic race OF
whom, Notwithstanding the fault which
they have eommitted-aye, notWitll-
sanding the crime they have commit
led have always regartled 1T as q
crime to take up arms against the good
efoureommon country-Yet they have
shown themselves to be sincere and de
vufed in their cause. They have eVin-
esa courage and endurance; by their
sallantfy and by their long suffering IL
this cause so mistaken, and 50 erroneous
and 50 criminal, they have shown them
selves to be equals OF any equal number
Ct men upon God Almighty's globe
Applause. Those who have contfn
aei against them are those who are tlt
tt'V'lN0b " utiillil tllob tilCS lidNC ollON u
Themselves TO be equals Of any Other
people in the world. Applause. Not
only have they shown themselves ready
% admit that these menare theirequals
eat they have shown themselves thu
feadiest to overlook the past, and forge
@hat there is need of forgetting, and t.
receive these men back into the Govern
m5ent, with all the rights and dignity 0
t9eF respective States unimpared, sim
Ply Teqriring from them, upon the pledg'
winch they will give, that they will re
new their allegiance to tho Government
q me United States. Applause Can
i95 We trust that pledge if these mel
VIII give it to us? Have we not reason
=, = oelleVe that they are men OF sincerity
fah we not confide in these brave men
~ tsay mat we can, Applause. ! sa,
alSS this IS the only way in which the,
.sil De brought back into the Govern
4 agAl and bound to ii by links Of graft
4 4 stronger than aoy links OF stee
gi 4. eaa be wrought. Applause.
md now will ask what foreign
a@ NY IS there on the earth that woul'
w.. ~ proud and happy to receive thes
R;g!.pie and give them all the rights c
55la.a,1zaaeslhip enjoyed by any Of their Cit
Nus Applause. Would not Franc