Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-05-27

The lecture on the "Chiva|ry Of the South,
by Mr.. FL. Rives Pollard, announced to come
off at Philharmonic Hall, at Lynchburg, did
not take place for the want of an audience.
At o'clock, the lecturer appeared upon the
stage and announced to empty benches that the
lecture would be indefinitely postponed
A cattle dealer from Vermont has sent
drove Of about one thousand head Of fine cattle
into the northern counties oil Virginia TO sell
to the farmers there.
Mr.. Chas. Whittlesey of Alexandra, by invi-
tation, addressed the Radical Club Of Peters
burg, on Friday night last.
THE RECONSTRUCTION ACTS GPINION OF
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
The Attorney General Of the u. s., has
published his opinion on the clauses OF the
Reconstruction acts, respecting the right to
vote and to hold office. His opnion,as to the
powers Of the commanding generals, Is to he
given hereafter:
The acts require twelve months citizenship,
with residence prior to the time OF voting, an
age Of twenty one years, non dlsiranchsemcnt
for felony or participation in rebellion, an oath
of obedience to the Constitution and laws, and
the averments that the afliant has never been
a member Of any State Legislature or holder
OF any executive or judicial Office in any State,
and afterwards engaged in insu!rection or
rebellion against the United States, or given
aid or comfort to the enemies thereof, or that
he has never taken an oath AZ member OF
the Congress oil the United States, or us an
officer Of the United States, or as il member OF
any State Legislature, or as an executive or
judicial officer Of any State, to support the
Constitution Of the United States, and after
wards engaged in insurrection or rebellion
against the United States or given aid or com
fort TO the enemies thereof.
81. As to citizenship and residence No per
son is entitled to vote who shall not be resident
in the State for one year previous to the day of
election. 1t is not necessary that this previous
residence for Il year should exist at the time
the person applies for registration A person
in all other respects entitled to vote is entitled
to registration, although he has not, at that
time, been resident OF the State Tor 4 full
year; for We find in the supplemental act that
the oath as to residence does not require the
applicant TO- swear that he has then been
resident for u year, but only requires him to
state the number OF months OF his residence,
contemplating a period less than, well as
lull term Of twelve months Therefore, as to
such person, so registered, il it happen at
any election subsequently to be held, that the
time OF residence, counting from the day Of
election. does not cover an entire year, he can
not vote at such election for this supplemental
act does not, as to residence, change the pro-
visions OF the original act, as it is expressly
provided by it, AZ TO registration, that 1t shall
Include only those who are qualified to vote by
the original act TO carry out the purposes Of
the law in this respect as to residence, the
board of registration should note opposite the
name Of the person whose residence has not
extended to the full term, the exact time Of his
residence.
AS to citizenship. The qualification stated
in the original act is citizenship of the State
but by the first clause OF the first section in the
act, the registration is to be
made Of the male citizens Of the United States;
and as to the oath, the applicant is only re-
lured to swear that he is citizen OF the State.
[ am Of opinion that the phrase citizen ofMe
State, as used in the oath, is intended to in
dude only such persons as are citizens OF tue
United States and citizens OF the State and
hat an alien who has not been made citizen
IF the United States cannot safely take the
oath But, as the board Of registration have
,nly authority to administer the prescribed
,ath. they cannot require any further oath or
proof as to citizenship, and if an alien, not
made citizen Of the United State, takes this
,ath, he takes it at his peril, and is subject to
for perjury
,. AS to age No one is entitled to regis
ration who is not at least twenty one years of
ge on the day that he applies for registration.
n this respect qualification as to age differs
rom the qualification as to residence, and the |
act that majority must exist ut the date of
egistration has relation to the day Of reglstra
ion, and not to the day Of the subsequent
lection
One point is still, left unsettlcd-as to who are
Included in the phrase judicial and executive
Ulcers But this is to be cleared up when the
bstracts are prepared for the several States,
,hich will exhibit all these officers and the
uties which appertain to them.
The following is that part Of the opinion
,uching disqualification, on account Of hay
~ given laid and comfort
81 am of opinion that some direct overt act,
one with the intent to further the rebellion,
necessary to bring the party within The pur-
lew and meaning OF this law. Merely dlsloy-
sentiments or expressions are not sufficient
he person applying for registration is not re-
uired to clear himself from the faint OF dis
'yalty. The meaning of Congress here be-
ONES yet more evident, when we look at the
lst clause of the prescribed oath. He is re-
uired to swear that he will faithfully sur
ort the constitution and obey the laws Of the
United States to the best CT his ability, en-
Ouraglng others so to do. ~
This part OF the oath is net eyculpatOry, but
rommissory. 1t looks TO the future, and not
The past, and the purpose is here manifest,
omit, as to the right to vote, The disquaIiG-
alton arising from past disloyalty, put in The
est-oath, as disqualification from The right to
xerclsc office Mere acts of common humani
and charity cannot be considered as involving
be party In participation in the rebellion
o., too, are forced contributions by the rebel
or the compulsory payment of taxes
and OF the rebel cause But wherever an act
done voluntarily in aid of the rebel cause, it
,.ould involve the person, and it must work
under this law. Voluntary
contributions in furtberance of the rebellion,
subscriptions to the rebel loans, and even
rganlzed contributions of food, clothing or
ecessary supplies, except of a strictly sanitary