Des Arc weekly citizen., 1867-05-18
Will You Register 2

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 We are pleased to notice (says the Little Rock Conservative,) that many of the papers throughout the State are urging upon all who arc opposed to the destructive doctrines of Radicalism, the importance of cf1ecting an immc- diate and thorough organization.- Nearly every journal in the State has taken decided ground in favor of reg istering and taking part in the coming clections--thc ''mastcrly inactivity policy appears to have but few admirers in Arkansas. An efficient organization is indispensable to success. Our oppo- nents are already prepared for the struggle ; but notwithstanding the ssaid and comfort" they expect to derive by managing the registration business so as to advance party interests. it is with in the power of the conservative men of Arkansas to control the affairs of their State.
 If it is fair to infer that the registra- ton of voters will be conducted in our State, as it has been in Louisiana, we may expect that the effort will be made to exclude all who have had anything to do with the Confederate scrvice.- This can only be done by an arbitrary and unjust construction of the law 1: but such has been the case in Louisiana, and it may be so here. We can only make the fight with such weapons as we are allowed. Let every man then who can register, resolve to do so.
 As there is some misapprehensien in the minds of many of our citizens, as to who are allowed to register, we repro duce the oath to be taken by each voter when he offers for registration. It will be seen that no man, no matter what service he may have rendered the Con- federacy, is disfranchised, unless he was a member Of Congress, or an officer of the United Statcs, or . member of State Legislature, or an executive or | judicial officer in any State. These, and having committed felony, are the sole disquslificstions ;and when voter swears that he is not disfranchised for participating in the rebellion, he sim ply says that he held none of these of fees prior to the war or if he did that he did not smqscquently engage in sny act of hostility to the United Statcs.- The oath required is as follows:
 l, do solemnlv swear Cor af- firrn,) in the presence of Almighty God, that l am citizen of the State of -; that have resided in said State for
 months neIt preceding this day, and now reside in the county of -, or the parish of -, in said State, (aa the case may be; ) that I am 2l years old that have not been disfranchised for participating in any rebellion or civil war against the United States, nor for felony committed against the laws of any State or of the United States; that I have never been . member of any State Legislature, nor held any ex- ecutive or judicial office in any State, and afterwards engaged in instruction or rebellion against the United States, and given aid or comfort to the enc mics thereof; that I have never taken an oath, as member of Congress ofthe United States, or as a member of any State Legislature, 10 support the Con- stitution of the United States and af- terwards engaged in instruction or rebellion against tic United States, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof; that will faithfully support the Constitution aud obey the laws of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, encourage others so to do. So help me God.
 If every conservative man in the State who can take the above oath, viil do 90. there will be no danger to be ap- prehendcd from the little band of ad- venturers who prate so much about their excessive 'loyalty.' We have yet to learn that Yan who was forced by the draft 10 fight for the Starry Flag, or enc who professed devotion to both sides, is any more loyal era truer friend of the Union, than he who shared the fortunes of the Confederacy, and when the war ended, laid down his arms ard returned to his allegiance in good faith.
 The orders for registration will prsb- ably b. issued soon, and when they are let no man fail in the duty he owcs to himself and to nis country.