Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-08-14
INVARIABLY IN ADvAN CE.
RATES OF ADVERTISING.
PAYABLE IN ADVANCE.
The Qualifications for, and Duty OF
Registration.

On Monday next, the registration Of voters
will commence in tais District. The Board
for The first precinct, composed OF Wards NO.
| aud 2, will hold their session for this pur-
pose at the City Hall until the 18th day OF
September next, setting apart the inst three
secular days of each week for the registration
of those resi- leuts, of Ward No. l, who are
entitled to suffrage, and the last three days
OF each week to the registration of those who
are residents and vo.ers in Ward No. z.
The question which has heretofore been
rather one of theory, has now assumed the
shape OF reality. Registration is upon US, as
u practical fact. 1t is now brought home to
every individual in the lightcf present duty.
1t claims his judgment aud attention, tor 1t
concerns his liberties, rights and welfare. 10
/, no one can be Indifferent, for in the ulIi-
mate decision of pending issues, all are vi
tally interested.
All persons can Of right CLAIM TO be regis
tered who are entitled t vote under the
terms of the Reconstruction Acts Of Congress.
These prescribe all the disqual6caticns Aud
as the question is still eagerly aud sincerely
asked on every side, it m:y rot be amiss to
re-state, with as much precision as possible,
those who arc undor those Acts qualified to
register. -
All free male persons twenty.one years Of
age and upwards are entitled to register ana
vote, unless they are expressly excepted BY
the provisions Of the Reconstruction Acts
The oath which each party takes contains in
full terms sl the excepted classes. These
are:
/. Those who are disfranchised for partici
patton in any rebellion or civil war agaias'
the United States.
OF this class there ere none in this S;a'e
No laws to this effect have been passed here
as in Tennessee and Missouri.
2. Convicted felons.
3. The following classes, who have at any
time, whether before or during the war, oc-
cupied any Of the following positions, aud al
forwards engaged in iusurr. ction or rebellion
against the United Stat, or given aid or
comfort to the enemies thereof. 10 wit:
Members OF any State Legislature.
Executive or judicial officers of any State.
Members of Congress OF the United State:.
Officers of the United States.
The oath to be taken for this purptse c1-
cludes only these. 1t is a Summary OF the
Act. The order publishing the regulations
for registration does not make any additional
dislualifications. The only words who's ),
phraseolosy is general, are Executive and
judicial Officers Of any State" The rest are
all plain enough. These words, Gen. S;ckles,
in his order, defines to include "all civil otii.
ces created by law for the administration OF
any general law of State, or fer the admin
istration of justice"
To exclude these from registration two
things must concur. First. One of theF }
offices must have been held, and second, the
party must afterwards have participated IN
the recent struggle with the South. Either
separately is not sufficient.
We have been thus explicit, because VIC
regard it as an incumbent duty for every
one of our citizens who are not excluded 10
register.
And on this point there is not the slightest
difference among the thougbtful men Of the
State. On other questions of policy, there are
wi lie and variant views. But in this all agrce
Governor Perry invokes TIE white race to
vote, at the appropriate time, "H.o Convea-
ton" There are others who regard it as
wisest amid the shifting scenes OF the pres
ent to determine that question when the time
arrives. There are Others again who are for
complete luSlOu VIII anu suEIcuueF W -s@o-
icalism and even to negro supremacy. But,
however different the stand points as to uiti-
mate action, oil urge the duty and necessity
of registration. No South Carolinian, whcth-
er by birth or adoption, who is entitled to
vote, should voluntarily deprive himself Of
the right to cast it, if occasion should re.
quire. He should not debar himself of Thu
means of defence. How he shall use it, or
whether he shall use it, is one thing. Hc
should not, however, cast away his right to
it, exercise. He may reserve his judgment,
but he should be prepared to express it, on
behalf of regulated government if occasion
should permit. 1t may be an element Of
poRer, which he mag WELD efficiently for the
intesests Of his community and State.
To register can do no harm. Not to regis
ter may result in great injury. The former
gives you the ballot and cuables you TO
WELD it. The latter course renders you at
once powerless and deprises you Of It's exer
else, however circumstances may demand its
aid.
We should not yield 10 Indifference, o.
surrender to despair. Each one who can
should at least be prepared to do his duty BY
bis ballot.-Charlesto Courier.