Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-01-15
LARGEST CITY CIRCULATION.
M E M H HISS
Tuesday Evening. Jan. Is, lse1
ALL NOT LOST.


lose all SO long as the Supreme Court re-
tains its integrity, or SO long as It is not
cut down in number so as to give pre-
ponderance to the Jacobin element 1t
is the only safeguard remaining to the
country since the overthrow ef the Exec
utiye department of the Government
Yesterday, two important decisions were
rendered at Washington. Wehad heard
of them from the tongue of rumor, and
believed. The first was in regard TO the
UNANIMOUSLY tyranical preachers oath of
the State of Missouri. For two or three
years past, the preachers of that State
have been indicted, arrested, tried, con-
victed, fined and thrown into prison for
preaching the gospel, without having
previously taken an oath pre-
scribed by an act. They were hunted down
by bands Of prosecutors armed with au-
.thority, to drag them to punishment
They refused to comply with a regula-
ton they knew to be illegal, and felt to
be infamous. 1t struck at free con-
science, invaded natural right, and over.
threw duty itself 1t was no less repug-
nant to reason than it was to the spirit
of the Constitution. 1t was IN ito char
acter er post .facto, bill of attainder
1t has fallen before the stern integrity Of
the highest tribunal Of the land, to sleep
the only sleep that is appropriate to its
Characteristic sleep of infamy Over
its disgusting corpse no tear will be
shed. To its grave, no fond, tender
memories viii cling, but it will be LETT
alone with the odor OF Its reputation. 4
The other point decided Was that
known as the " Attorneys Oath. This
u was another Radical measure, adopted
during the war and attempted to be per-
petuated in peace. 1t was twin brother
toKths Missouri iniquity. and died the
same death. II, TOO, was er post .tdcto
The Court says "the applicants obtained
pardon from the President, "hich re-
yHeves them from the consequences Of the
ofease, and makes them citizens IN the
rie,c of The Lap, ichat they soere before
the o6snse vas committed, for Congress
cannot limit the prrogatire Of mercy, |
reither can II be tettered BY legislative
restriction. Therefore it followed that
the prayers of the petitioners must be |
granted. The rule which requires sttor-
nexs 10 take the test oath must be re- |
.c;saed and the order is made accord |
;rolvr IF these test oaths are uncon-
, l..;las6aaI because they are, in their |
ra,ure er most facfO, is not the fran
cb;se act Of this State. DISTINGUISHING |
no neonle for purposes Of panishment |
AFTER they have been pardoned, also m
Constitutional? The cases are ansla-
Qous and must be ruled by the
came principle. Pardon by the Presi-
dent relieves the people Of the South |
m.the, CONSEQUENCES Of participation
a N. ,he rebelIion, and restsres them to all
the rights of CITIZENSHIP. congrsss can |
not limit the prersgaiiye Of mercy, and
o.nno. therefore. attach penalty g an |
osenae that has been pardoned. The
Ioo;slo,yras Of the States cannot do So
airbev osooo, enforce acts Of disfranch.
;,amen, If meant as punishment for
or;mes already comm,tted And thus
s.l. Or sbonld fall the great ,pionity Of
tb,, State and so falls the hope enter.
FAMED nv The Radicals of placing the
,ovos,,,,,,n.,,,s ~ The soutbern States in
,ba hands Of negroes. The white
nSonnls,ion who have been pardon.
"a oonnot be subjected TO the
Onpratiou of acts OF diafrauQd.fe-