Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-09-20
THE WILMINGTON JOURNAL
Observation-Disclosures Onicers.

Observation-Disclosures IncerS.
Z There is nothing more certain, if we con-
suit the act of Congress, than that persons
who were Militia officers previous to the
war, and afterward engaged in it, are emit
tied to register and vote, except, perhaps,
the fact that by an order from General
SIcKLEs, under certain circumstances they
are not permitted to do so. Either from
habit contracted while tyranizing over the
Carolinas or to spit his spleen upon the
people, General SIcKLEs seems to have &C.
cupied his spare time, after his removal
was q foregone conclusion until the actual
assumption of command by General CANDY,
in preparing and issuing orders, adding
great length, if not wisdom, to his Code.
Among others thus issued was one giving
general instructions in regard to reglstra-
ton, which should more properly have an
ticipated, than followed, registration, if it
was to have been issued at all. Desiring,
in the expiring moments of hisreign, to make
himself as popular with the party in power
as possible, and to complete his attempts
to Africanize his District, he attempts by
this order to disfranchise as many of the
former Militia officers as possible, for even
his bitter partizanship would not permit
him to disqualify them in toto. The order
says:
"Oficers of Militia, employed in the execution
of the Patrol Ldlrs or other laws having relation
to the domestic order of the State and The 9OCe1m-
naent of the stare population therein, and who at
terward engaged in the rebellion, are dlstrsn-
chised; such officers although military in name,
are civil and executive in their duties
This nicely drawn distinction was evil
IDENTIFY conceived moro from loyal con-
tempt for slavery and love for the " man
and brother" than by conjuring mp any
dusty recollection of legal principles which
may yet linger in his brain. In this he
sinks the lawyer into the politician, writing
a political platform rather than enuncia
ting legal principle.
The original Reconstruction act, among
other disqualifeations. included such per-
sons who before the war held any "execu-
tive or judicial Office in any State" and
then engaged in the war. After the pas
sage of this act, and Congress had adjourn
ed, the fortieth Congress meeting imme-
diately, when the Speakers signature was
hardly dry to the original, enacted sup
Elemental bill explanatory of it. This Con-
gress having also adjourned, and discover
ing that too many rebels were permitted to
vote under any sensible and just construc-
ton of the act, they came together in ex-
ira session for no other purpose than to
make perfect their work. 1t was deter
mined to explain it as illiberally as posi-
BILE, and they enacted that ''the words Sex
ecutive or judicial Office in any State in
said oath mentioned shall be construed to
include all CIVIL offices created by law fol
the administration of the general law of the
State, or for the administration of JUS
tice."
It could not therefore, be made palmer
that military officers were not included i
it had said so in SO many words, until the
fertile brain of General SICKLEs conceived
the happy idea of concerning them into
civilians hunting runaway slaves. We trus
in his retirement the ghost of murdered ne
groes may not haunt him, and he may al
els by land or sea. We cannot wish hin
longer life than t9Ehope he may survive
until his own State fastens upon the PEG
pie of New York the negro code he has lef
as legacy to us.
The Post Commander at Fayetteville ha'
issued the following circular to Registrar
in his district, in regard to military officers
and others:
HEADoRs, Posi- OF FAYETTEVILLE,
Fayetteville, Aug. %, 1867. !
[CIRCULAR.I
The Board of Registrars having misconstrue
the act of Congress relating to Registration, ar
hereby notified that Officers of Militia, of Corpo
rate Towns, Notaries Public, and Inspectors o
Flour, Turpentine and Tobacco. entitled t.
register unless otherwise disqualified.
By command of Post Colonel M. CosGwELL.
T. A. WHITNEY,
LIST Lieut.. Sth Infy U. s. A., Post Adit.
Believing that all former Militia Officers
whether they executed the Patrol Laws o
obeyed any other order of superior, ar
entitled to register, we sincerely trust ths
they will refer their rejection directly
General CANDY and appeal to him for sin
pie justice. He is not New York lawye,
or Bowery politician, and being a soldit
has clear conception of the difference b.
tween cirij and military offices, and bein
gentleman, will carry out the law in
spirit of justice and equity.
The President and Congress--The Impo
tant Issues Pending.