The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-08-28
answer in the following Act of Con-

or profit under the Government of
the United States, either in the civil,
military or naval departments of the
public service, excepting the Presi-
dent of the United States, shall, be-
fore entering upon the duties of such,
Office, and before being entitled to.
any of the salary or other emoIu--
ments thereof, take and subscribe
the following oath: I do solemnIY
swear, that I have never Voluntarily
borne arms against the United States.
since I have been citizen thereof;
that L have voluntarily given no aid.
countenance, counsel or encourage
ment to persons engaged in armed
hostility thereto; that I have neither
sought nor accepted, nor attemptedi
to exercise, the functions of any Of
fee whatever, under any authority OF
pretended authority in hostility TO
the United States; that I have not
yielded voluntary support to any pre-
tended Government, authority. now
er or constitution within the United
States, hostile or inimical thereto
And I do further swear, that to the
best OF my knowledge and ability, /
will support and defend the Consti-
tuition of the United States against
all enemies, foreign and domestics
that 1 will bear true faith and alle-
glance to the same; that take this
obligation freely, without any mental
reservation or purpose of evasion;
and that I will well and faithfully
discharge the duties of the Office on
which am about to enter-so help
me GodP And any person who shall
falsely take the said oath shall be
guilty of perjury, and on conviction
in addition to the penalties now pro.
scribed for that offence, shall be de-
prived of his Office, and rendered in
capable of ever after holding any
Office or place under the United.
States"
Is representation in Congress 81,
very desirable, that we should send
men there who Can take that OATH
rather than that VIC should remain,
unrepresented longer? Can the peo-
pie of the State trust those who could
or who would take itP For the honor
of our State, I should prefer that she
should not be represented in the halls
of Congress until her delegates can.
enter them as free men, representing,
a sovereign State, with all her ssdig-
nifty. equality and rights unimpaired-'
When that day comes, there may be
a restoration of the Union in fact, M
as well as in theory; when North and
South, forgiving the past, even if theF
cannot forget it, may meet as equals
on some common ground, where the
honor, the rights and the feelings of
both can be recognized and respected
But until that day does come, in the
words of Patrick Henry, Gentle
men may cry peace peace but there
is no peace!'
1t is scarcely necessary for me to-
say that, entertaining the views 1 have
I think it far preferable.
the State should remain in its present
under military rule, than
that it should give its sanction to,
measures which we believe to be lille
gal, unconstitutional and ruinous. It
is my honest and firm belief, that the
voluntary acceptance of these mea-
sures by our people would surely
bring, not only to the South, but TO-
the whole country, evils far greater
than any we have;yet suffered. The
North, flushed with success, and
drunk with power, may not be able,
to realize this fact; but as surely us
the South falls victim to irresponsi,-
BILE and unlicensed power, so surely
will the North lose its liberties. Ruin,
to the South will react on the North,
and if we are crushed into the dust,
the Northern people will see but the
of their own certain
doom. Recognize, as an established
principle, the right of any political
party that may be in the ascendancy
to fix upon all who differ with them
laws unauthorized by the Constitu-
tion of the United States, and we
shall begin that downward career
which will lead us steadily through
confusion. anarchy and blood, to the
certain overthrow of republican insti-
tutions and free government. Believ-
ing this, regard it as the duty OF
every man, in the exercise of the
right accorded to all by these military
bills, to oppose their adoption by all.
lawful means. AS tho people have
the privilege, then, of expressing
either assent or dissent on this aues--
tion. | advise them, earnestly, to- re--
onr1 Tho latte. n f,,lIxx o~1