The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-01-10
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Re-Or0Hn2zULOn.

therefore, come up at once as soon as Con
nress re-assembles. 1t is probable the Com
mittee on Territories will report a bill SINH
lar to the one below. -.. ,
It will be observed that the amended bill
differs in several respects from the North
Carolina bill, in its machinery, but the oath,
which is the gist Of the measure, is preser-
we'd We trust the oath aoiU not, IN a'ay eoent, De
altered or omitted We are satisfied, from our
knowledge of the South, that it IS the best
oath vet devised. Provision should be made,
however, in the bill for furnishing those who
NAV succeed in taking it falsely.
Another very important improvement IS,
that Mr.. Stevens amended bill extends the
oath not merely to office holders but to coters
We have conversed with many Unionists, and
heard from others, since our return from
Washington, and it seems to be the general
wish of our loyal people that unrepentant
rebels should be excluded from the ballot
box, and that loyal men only, without re-
gard to color should be invested with the
ballot. If Congress would do its work
thoroughly, and would extend adequate pro-
lection to the loyal whites and blacks OF the
South, let it by no means omit this oath :;
but let the oath be test OF suffrage, with
out regard to color This we believe to be
the unanimous wish of the Unionists Of this
State, as well as of the cotton States, as
shown by the Address of the Southern Re
publican Association, which We publish to-
day.
Mr. STEVENS BILL FOR THE READMIssIoN OF THE
SOUTHERN STATES.
BIZ Telegraph to the T,i5unel
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2l.-Thc following bill, in
troduced into the House last session by Mr.. Ste
VEINS, "To enable the States lately i'll rebellion to
regain their privileges i'll the Cnion,' has been
amended considerably, and in its amended form
will be called up for action by Mr.. Stevens i'll
Bill to enable the States lately in rebellion to
regain their privileges in the Union.
Whereas The eleven States, which lately Horned
the Government called the "COntederate States
of America have forfeited all their rights under
the Constitution, and can be rcinstated IN the
same only through the action OF Congress; thefe-
fore,
Be it enacted b.; the Senate and House Of Rsp'rsen
tatyes Of tie United States Of dnetca /" Congress
assembled, That the eleven States lately in rebel
lion, except Tennessee, may form valid State
Governments in the following manner:
SECTION 2. Ind be it further enacted, That the
State Governments now existing de tdcto, though
illegally formed in the midst OF martial law, and
in many instances the constitutions were adopted
under durcss, and not submitted to the ratlfica-
ton of the people, and therefore are not TO be
treated as free republics yet they are hereby ac,
knowledGcd as valid governments for municipal
purposes until the shall be duly altered, .and
their legislative and executive officers shall be
recognized as such.
SEC ). Ind be It further enacted, That the ten
States which were lately in rebellion, and have not
been admitted to representation in Congress, shall
hold elections on the first Tuesday of May, 1861
to choose delegates to convention to form
State Government. The Convention shall con-
sist of the same number of members us the most
numerous branch of the Legislature of said State
before the Rebellion. 1t shall meet at the former
capital of said State on the first Monday of June
of said year, at II O'Clock noon, with power to
adjourn from time TO time, and Shall proceed TO
form State Constitution. which shall be submit
ted to the people al such time as the Convention
shall direct, and if ratified by majority of legal
votes shall be declared the Constitution of the
State Congress shall elect Commission for
each of said States, to consist of three persons,
who shall select or direct the mode of selecting
the election OF officers for the several election dis
tricts, which districts shall be the ; before
the Rebellion, unless allotted by said Commits
sion. The officers shall consist of one judge and
two inspectors OF elections and two clerks. The
said officers, together with all the expenses OF
the election shall be paid by the United States,
and said expenses shall be reE by said Stat or
Territory. Each of said officers shall receive s.
per day for the time actually employed. Each of
the members of said Commission shall receive
81, 600 per annunl and their clerks $4,000. The
Commission shall procure all the necessary books,
stationery and boxes, and to make all regulations
to effect the objects of this act. The President
of the United States and the military comman-
der of the district shall furnish SO much mil
itary aid as the said Commissioners shall deem
necessary to protect the polls and KEEP the peace
at each OF the election districts. If by any means
no elections should be held in any of said late
States on the day herein fixed, then said election
shall be held on the third Monday of May, 1861,
i'll the manner herein prescribed. Returns OF all
such elections shall be made to the said Commits
sioners, whose certificates OF election shall be Dri
ma tacje evidence of the fact.
SEC. 4. Ind he It tiuther enacted, That persons
who shall be entitled to vote at both of said cleo
lions shall be as follows: All male citizens above
the age OF Il years. who have resided one year in
said State and ten days within the election district
SEC. D. Andbe it further enacted, That the word !
citizen, used i'll this act, shall be construed to
mean ali persons Except Indians not taxed born
in the United States, duly naturalized. ANY |
male citizen above the age of y years shall be !
TO be elected to act as delegate to sid |
SEC. t. Ind be it further enacted, That all per-
sons who, on the 4th day of March, 1854, were of
full age, who held Office either civil or military
under the government called the "Confcdcrate |
States OF America or who voluntarily swore al |
egiance to said government, are hereby declared
10 have forfeited their citizenship and to have re-
bounced allegiance to the United States and shall |
not be entitled to exercise the elective franchise
Or hold office until five years after they shall have
lied their intention or desire to be reinyested |
With the right of citizenship and shall swear al
egiance to the United States and renouncc ale
glance 10 all other governments pretended gov
the said application to be filed and
path taken in the same courts that by law arc au-
lorized to naturalize foreigners. Provided how
,yer, that on taking the following oath the party,
'eing otherwise qualified, shall be allowed to vote
md hold office:
81, A. B., do sOlemny swear, on the HOLY
. vangcliss of Almighty God, that on the 4th day
II March, 1864, and at all times thereafter, l
would willingly have complied with the require
nents OF the Proclamation of the President of the
United States, issued on the Sth day of Decem-
tnT1itU of Inin, Jnno,,
llowed and that on the said 4th of March, 1864
nd all times thereafter, l was opposed to the
continuance of the Rebellion, and 10 the estal-
lshment of the so-caled Confederate Govern |
nent, and voluntarily gave no aid and comfort
hereto, but earnestly desired the success of the
mon and the suppression OF all armed resistance
o the Government of the United States: and
hat l. will hencefOrth faithfully support the Con
ltutlon OF the United States and the Union of
he States thereunder'
SEC z. And be it further enacted That no con-
tltutlon shall be presented to or acted on by
congress which denies to any citizen any rights,
rlvIleges or immunities which are granted to
ny other citizen in the State All laws shall be
IMPARTIAL without regard to language, race or
primer condition If the provisions of this sec
ION should ever be altered repealed, eXpunged
+ in any way abrogated, this act shall become
old and said State lose its right to be represent
in Congress
Sec. s. And be it further enacted, That when
nth, the citizens of said State may present said
onstltutlon to Congress, and if tt e same shall be
pproved by Congress, said State shall be
eciared entitled to the rights, privileges and
and be subject to all the obligations
nd laDllltles OF State within the Union No