The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1867-10-09
The Presidents Amnesty.

has made personal test of the practi-
cal value of the Presidents Amnesty.
Not being able, in consequence Of Of
holding before the war, to take the
oath of registration, he patiently bided
his time and, ON the strength and an-
thority of the Executive proclamation,
took the oath therein prescribed which
is as follows:
ri do solemnly swear in the presence
Of Almighty God, that will henceforth
faithfully support, protect and defend
the Constitution Of the United States
and the Union of the States Hereunder,
and that I will in like manner abide by
and faithfully support all laws and pro-
CARNATIONS which have been made dur
ing the late rebellion with reference to
the emancipation of slaves; so help me
God"
Under this oath, Judge Rice offered
to register and will offer, likewise, to
vote. 1t is the opinion of this distin-
guished jurist that every man supposed
to be DISTINGUISHED by act of Congress
can take the oath of amnesty and, in
virtue of such oath, is entitled to vote.
The only exceptions made are such as
Mr.. Johnson has specified in his procla-
nation. The eminent Judge holds
that this action, on the part Of individ-
uals ontlawed by Congress, entities
them to "the restoration Of oil prjyi-
leges, immunities, and rights of prop
erty, except as to property with regard
to slaves, and except in cases of legal
proceedings under the laws Of the Uni
ted States"
He further maintains that this Exec
utive Amnesty is superior to and indie
pendent of Congress; inasmuch as the
Constitution delegates the power Of re-
prieve and pardon to the President,
and his decision in the premises can
only be invalidated by illegal and rev.
dictionary means.
One of the privileges, then, Of the
late Amnesty is the right Of franchise,
This privilege Judge Rice has deter
mined to avail himself Of, if within the
limits of legal human effort.
He goes even further and AYERS that
registration itself is unnecessary IN this
case; that any person complying with
the Presidents terms of amnesty, prior
to the day of election, has the right to
vote, and should offer to do SO. He,
however, out Of abundant caution, ap.
peared before the Board of Registra.
ton, and his example is worthy of imi.
tation. The managers may refuse te
allow the vote; but they are ameDable
to courts of law and can be sued fol
damages.
The Montgomery Mail, to which pa
per we are indebted for the information
contained in this abstract Of Judge
Rice's opinion and line of conduct, com
mends the Judges position to the ear
nest attention of his countrymen a
large, and says:
"Judge Rice, so far aswe are inform
ed, is the first to put himself in q posi-
ton to raise before the Courts thu
Question whether the Presidents lat,
proclamation does not restore the RICH
of voting to even supposed liisfran
chised citizens who comply with it. I
is to be hoped that all of our disfran
chised citizens will follow his example
Land thus put themselves in position
to obtain their rights by calm an.
peaceful appeal to the judicial tribn
nails.
"Why should any citizen omit tn
opportunity to seek from the court
what is denied under the military or re
construction bills. The way is marke,
out. Will the DISTINGUISHED fail to pu
4 themselves in that way. Every one 0
] them ought to comply with the procla
nation before the day Of election, an,
tllereupon offer to vote at the election
/ This is what they owe to themselve
and their country"