The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-06-29
NEWS FROM RICHMOND.

Decision of the United States Commits
siOner in the Case OF DOwney, Charged
with Violating the Registration Law
Mass Meeting OF OOIOred and White
Citizens.
RICHMOND, Va, June 2S-The following de
cision In the case of Mr.. Mark Downey, &C.
cused of committing perjury by regis tering in
violation of the disfranchising clause Of the
Alexandria Constitution, was delivered to-day
by Mr.. George Chahoon, United States Com
missioner
The Alexandria Constitution provides that no per.
oath that he IS not given aid and comfort to the
bellion since January l. 1854 and prescribes means
IS m'n NOT necessary S for 10 decide Whether this dis
on mas eyer sSb Mbete ever er
legally existed. Upon this think there can be
dTis is now the recognized Constitution Of virginia.
and the persons dsfranohised by that Constitution
ture was Called and the ACKNOWLEDGMENT removed.
e 6s "a Soef wRS
taking oath; part Of which is n the tOIIOying
participation 10 the Rebellion" etc Tne evidence
IN IN ths ths S Rebellion m alter January, so and that
on the 18th day Of June: 1864. he took the oath
It it's IS argued by. the Counsel tor Mr. Downey
that the words hsye not fS6 6sen %5 convey %
expressed by the words have never been, and that
past; and consequently in considering clause In
the Aiexandrla Consultation should not determine
past tme but contne ourselves solely 70 the question
whether ne IS now @ sec @ pnueI , LnaI E0n, con
he has not been dsiranchised the oath under the
TSSsd hS %r f6 Downey is charged With
and wi9y taking m lalss oath and tSHt t, i Is not
1t is clear that when swearing to fact necessary
sSoSd NnoW tbs what he sweas e Is se at the
time he swears, or, at Least, that he has rot good
But there is distinction between ordinary facts and
law. and cahnOt plead Ignorance
excuse. The rule that ignorance of the law is no
@ay be Of dcult INTERPRETATION; nrists may dlier
as 70 It's & T. Is an ae ssd II nS g%SR
the law, when in point of tact the wsest and most
ot aware that even in cases Of this kind the rule has
ever been relaxed; Whether It should be relaxed in
province to determine. Acting q commissioner,
to believe that the accused guilty OF oense he
is charged with and II there be such probable cause
il does not with me 20 say that he s morally
gglltess ana therel9re snonia % De aisStnarged t am
the law does not excuse the accused has that
fhe Commissioner accepted Mr.. Downey's personal
term term Of the United States Circuit Court.
Te Ts this eveHns II the Capitol square 6 Colo
mel Moss OF Missouri; He passed long ana eloquent
claimed Jefferson as radical, and said he did more
70 SnS 0ut ans O1 an
and JEFF Thompson were pronounced by the speaker
and sensible view situation, regardless of pre-
judce above partisan folly and full OF sincere desire
TO renew their loyalty the Union. He thought IL
absurd for the Southern people TO nveigh against the
them. twas just such men the south wanted at this
crisis TO build up its waste places and dluse energy
and Intelligence among Its people. In conclusion, he
wished the people of VrA na no worse destiny than
that of reaching high a pinnacle Of prosperity as
the population of State In he Union. The Colo
nels remarks were well received and frequently ap
plauded, The campaign on which he has embarked
promises TO be successful in Its results In this State.
Re~tatration Am Louisiana,
General Grant has received the following despatch
from General Sheridan the progress of registration
In louisiana
NEW ORLEANS. La, June 2a-General U. S. Grant
Commanding Armies of the United States, Washing
ton, D. C-General:-Returns from 43 parishes out of
As this State show 7s4l registered voters far
reported up to present date.
Governor Wells, Of Louisiana.
private despatch received here to-day from New
Orleans says that Governor Wells threats about the
GoYernorship idle that even II he should attempt
any proceedings in his behalf, he would be
promptly arrested by Sheridan.