The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-07-16
LETTER OF GEN. SICKLES ON
REGISTRATION
The following is Gen. Sickles' letter to Senator
Trumbull, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee:

The following is Gen. Sickles' letter to Senator
Trumbull, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee:
CHARLESTON, S. c., July 5, 1867.
Ny Dear Sir:-l have decided not to begin regis
tration in this district until Congress determines
who shall be registered trust therefore, that it
will be the pleasure of Congress to extend the time
for the completion of my registration until-say,
October November. Ii proceed now, and dis
regard the wishes of the President, my action would
be regarded INSTRUMENTATION if follow his in
timaiions many would probably be registered not
eligible according to the true Interpretation of the
acts of Congress.
If it is meant that all who lave held any office
Federal, Stale, or Misunderstanding taken an oath
of office to support the Constitution of the United
States, and afterwards engaged in rebellion, or
given aid and comfort ETC.. DISTINGUISHED, this
should be expressly declared otherwise. if left to
construction, it may be held that no other officers
included than those classes enumerated in Arti-
Gle vi of the Constitution, and that to
these full pardon removes the disqualification
If it is meant to exclude lawyers they should be
expressly mentioned, else described by
classification; for example, after the word
"office," add "any licensed calling or employment
or profession" Otherwise, if the eligibility of law
yers be left to construction, it may be held that
lawyer is not public officer, although funconary
of a court or other judicial body.
The truth is, we have now in operation two dis
tinct systems Of reconstruction, originated by Con-
gress, and engrafted upon the Presidents plan of
reconstruction. The first Congressional plan is
expressed in the Howard constitutional amendment,
leaving suffrage to be regulated by the several States
and imposing upon certain classes of persons dis
qualification for office, punishment for rebel
lion and as safeguard for the future. That plan
having been refused by the rebel States, Congress
passed the reconstruction acts, which form second
scheme OF reconstruction, entirely distinct in prin-
ciple and plan from the former. In the second plan
Congress assumes control of the question of suf-
rage, which is extended to all who can take pre-
scribed oath, and also enforces the disqualification
for office, which would have been the penal and
conservative feature of the FIRST plan. Now, it
to me that the conservative guarantee against
reaction is in the addition made to the loyal vote by
the enfranchsement of the colored people. That
being DONE the occasion for the disqualification
clause ceases. Hence, the true solution, believe,
is to declare, with universal suffrage, general
nesty-naming the exceptions. more liberal am
nesty is, in my Judgment, essential to the of
the Congressional plan Of reconstruction. 1t will
enlarge the range of popular choice for the impor
tan judicial, executive, and legislative departments
of the State governments, otherwise inconvenicnty
confGed to classes very few of whom Sit to hold
office. The people can surely be entrusted to jndge
and select from those who took part in the rebellion
the men at once qualified and sincere in their adhe
sion to the new order of things Such men, being
eligible to office, will have motives to identify them
selves with reconstruction, and 10 support the views
of the majority Now, more than ever, men of ahili
~ and experience IN public business needed for
the State governments in the South; and it is truly
unfortunate that at such a moment nearly all who
know anything ofpablic affairs and especially those
who could MI Judiclai Stations are DISTINGUISHED.
This exposes the experiment of general suffrage to
needless hazards. If The experiment FAIL it is most
likely to fail from the inability of the people TO put
in office those who could and would assure
1t would have beer advantageous perhaps TO have
removed many dlsaected persons especially judges,
shcriffs, and magistrates. in the execution of the
sixth section of the act of I'd March, if competent
successors could have been found among those who
eligible to office; and would regard the pos
session Of der Geld of choice for civil OIL
GERS of the most effective instrumentalities
in the execution of the military authority conferred
upon district commanders. As il is, find myself
prevented, will the people by and by from secur
ing for the public service of aptitude and char
acter, whose repentance is certain as the devo-
ton of the most consistent oyalist. In truth, the
zeal of some of the converts the discretion
of many of the faithful. With reference to other
practical suggestions, might be useful if Congress,
by of its committees, Intercepted the COM
mandng officers of the several districts upon the
operation of the reconstruction acts and the further
legislation required Very respectfully,
D. z SICkLES.
Hon. Lyman Trumbull, Chm Judiciary Com.