Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-01-17
sHELLANBERGER's BILL.

The Radicals appear to be in a despe-
rate strait They would like to reduce
the southern States to a territorial con-
dition, but the Supreme Court is in the
way. Theywould like to enfranchise the
negro in the Southern States, in the hope
thereby to gain the control Of these States,
but that is a matter which properly be-
longs to the States, and the Radicals feel,
since the rejection Of the constitutional
amendment, that they cannot be tempted
to make the experiment They would
like to disfranchise every white man in
the South who does not belong to the
Radical faction, and Mr. Shellanberger
Of Ohio thinks he is competent to this
work, and it is amusing to see how he
goes aboutit The idea Of now accepting
the forfeiture of the right TO vote and
hold Office by Southern men who have
been restored to the rights Of citizenship
if they had been forfeited, and have ex-
ercised those rights, is the bright emana-
ton Of a genius who is probably aspiring
to be a leader Of the Radical faction
Here is a synopsis Of his plan furnished
by the Washington correspondent of the
Cincinnati GqgsHs in his dispatch Of the
l4th instant
The bill introduced to-day by Repre-
sentative Shellanbarger IS onedeclaring and
accepting the forfeiture and voluntary
abandonment bv the act of rebellion Of two
of the privileges of American citizenship,
to-wit: the privilege Of holding Office and
of voting. lt is not an attempt TO regulate
the right to hold Office or the elective fran
chise in the States, but is only an accept
ance bv the government Of n voluntary
abandonment Of these rights, and is framed
upon the loyal idea that he who has made
war upon the United States, thereby vol
UNFAIRLY Withdrew himself in 20 far as the
government may by law elect to permit him
10 do So from being one of the people and
electors Of the several States, within the
meaning of these words in the second sec
ton of the first article Of the constitution.
The FIRST section Of the bin accepts such
forfeiture so far as 90 permit no one guilty
of voluntary rebellion 10 vote for or hold
an Office requiring a constitutional oath Of
Office; also from voting for or holding the
office Of member Of any constitutional con-
vention ip sny State, territory or district,
or to vote Tor any territorial or provisional
officer.
It is not meant to provide the machinery
for the restoration Of the Rebel States, but
is meant to place these States and their or
ganization in loyal hands, by making the
provisions Of this law applicable 10 aud 4
part Of whatever system of restoration
may be adopted, and also TO the present
governments therein, should no new gov
erumeuts be adopted. Il will be seen, there
fore, that the provisions Of the bill are of
the greatest importance.
The second section permits those who in
no other way aided the rebellion than by
being a soldier in the army, below the
rank of second lieutenant to be readmitted
to full citizenship, upon proving and taking
an oath, amongst other things, that on and
after the 9Th of March, 1865, he earnestly
desired the overthrow Of the rebellion, and
that be was prevented by force from COM
plying with Mr. Lincoln's proclamation of
the Sth Of December, 1868
The third section admits other Rebels to
be readmitted 20 fell citizenship in FIVE
years.
The fourth section specifies certain class
es Of the most responsible and guilty Re
bells who are prevented from ever being 70
readmitted 90 their forfeited rights