Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-06-14
ALEXANDRIA.
FRIDAY EVENING, JUNE IA


---------------- = - - :,
REGISTRATION commences in the Third
Ward in this city, on Monday, and will be
followed up, at intervals, 10 the other wards,
until the business is completed. All those
: who are entitled under the Reconstruction
acts TO be registered, and wish to do SO, and
can do so--and there are many reasons urging
it,-should moi be deferred by doubts which
have been thrown around the meaning and the
construction OF these acts One OF the clcarest
and most succinct statements az to who are
entitled to registration and who are not that
we have seen, is contained in 4 letter from
Can't. w. l.. TidbalL, President of the Board
Of Registration Of Albemarle county, addressed
to the voters OF that county, from which we
make the extracts which follow; and which,
besides the Subject matter in hand give
glimpses Of the views Of those in authority in
this State engaged in carrying, out the Recon
struction plan, as to what in their opinion
ought to be done by the white people, and
what may tollowin certain contingencies
''lt is highly important that every person
qualified should register his name, rs no one
will be allowed to vote at the ensuing elections
whose maine is not duly registered And no
one will be permitted to vote, except in the
district where he is registered.
No person will be compelled to register his
name or cast his vote, but it is expected that
every one qualified will discharge these import,
ant duties. No man can be excused for neg lcct-
Ing to exercise the elective franchise, ii il be his
honest right.
Every man qualified may vote, at his own
option, Tor or against Convention revise the
Constitution. II q majority OF the votes pol!cd
be adverse, there will be no Convention, but
military rule, in the present or some other
form, will be continued
But there is reason to fear, il the State is
not restored under the present reconstruction
acts, that there will be a limited contiscatlon Of
lands and a more extended dlsfranchiScment.
ference or contempt, any more than they would
submit TO open defiance This is lieutenant
Tidbaps opinion.
Should contiscatiOn ever take place, It will
surely be characterized by wise discrimlna-
ton. Under no circumstances will the lands
OF loyal citizens be forfeited and adudsed to
the treasury. And it is lair to presume, that
there will be no molestation Of the property OF
those who, though they had engaged in rebel
lion, accept tue present terms OF adjustment,
and vote Tor Convention.
Assuming that the people, to avoid the loss
Of their lands, will go to the polls and vote for
new Constitution, it becomes matter OF
moment to every individual to know whether
he is or not distranchisea. &,
Il find that some persons, notwithstanding
the clear and concise language Of Major Gen.
Schofeld's instructions for the government Of
Boards Of Registration, are not yet able to
divest then minds OF erroneous impressions,
which may induce themselves aud others to
remain away from the elections.
As a rule, every male citizen OF the United
State, a resident of Virginia, for one year
Immediately previous to 40 election, twenty
one years Of age, is entitled to vote No one
is excluded from this right, unless he have
been convicted of felony, or have held an office
before the war and engaged i'll the rebellion,
No man is DISTINGUISHED because he held al
Office, no matter what office; and no man IS
disfranchlsed for any part he took III the rebel
lion, though he may have voted for the ordl-
nance of secession, OF fired the last gun at the
siege Of Rich nond
man-frst, the holding Of Il designated office,
State or Federal and <ecoua, engaging liz
rebellion against the United States, or giving
aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. Both
of these must not only concur, but they must
concur an tie order here mentioned IN other
words, the office must have been held before
the war commenced, .d a,5
But if man held a designated Office before
the, war aud look no prohibited part 10 the
rebellion, he is not disfianchisel. And II lie
held an Office, and aided or comtorted the
rebellion invountariy, he is not DISTINGUISHED
The unlawful service rendered, OF whatever
character, must have been entirely voluntary.
In every case where man Is III doubt as to
his right to vote he should present himself to
the board of bis district for registration. Every
doubs is to be resolved III favor Of the voter. >