The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1867-11-02
[Erom the Herald and Mississippian.l
A scene I'm the Registrars Office

A. b. enters and presents himself
before board of registrars to be ex-
amined, when the following dialogue
takes place;
Registrar-How long have you re.
sided in this State
A. B..-I was born and raised with.
in five miles Of this place.
R.-Are you twenty-ohe years of
age?
A. /B,--I was ffty-fye years old last
March. - a -
R-Did You ever hold any Office
previous TO the war?
A. B.-Yes, | was a magistrate,
Judge and q member Of the Legisla-
ture. -
Rid you engage in the late re-
bcllion sgainst the Government Of the
United States, or did you give aid and
comfort to the enemies thereof?
a. B.-I did engage in the late war
and give all the aid in my power to
the Confederate army and the soldiers
thereof; but | have never engaged in
a rebellion against the Government Of
the United States, for | hold that the
foundation Of all governments is the
constitution thereof; consequently,
the hate war was waged, not against
the Government, bat against the party
III power who were seeking to subvert
the plain principles Of the Constitu-
ton, and who declared that there was
higher law than the Constitution.
/ also take the ground that the differ
ent oaths have taken to support the
Constitution, As an officer, were not
binding longer than / held said Office.
If the first oath bound me for all time
to come, why is it necessary to admin
ister the same oath at the time of ac-
cepting each subsequent Office
R.-Can you take this oath consci-
entiously ?
A. B.-Ccrtainly / can; for never
have, nor do | intend to violate the
plain letter and meaning of the Con-
stitution, but on the contrary, intend
at all times TO defend that instrument
which | regard as the most sacred doe
ument that was ever penned by man,
aud doubiy so TO me from the fact that
it was cemented by the blood of my
Igrandsircs at the battle of Bunker
Hill, Lundy's Lane and Kings Noun
tain.
R.-Weli, / am pleased with your
candor aud honesty, and ifin my pow
or, would gladly see you entitled to
all the privileges of loyal citizen,
but n you sec, am governed by the
law Of Congress, and the order Of the
commanding General, consequently,
cannot administer to you the OATH
A. b. retires with less patriotism
and increased indignation.
ENTER sAMBo.
Sambo--Good mornin', Cap'n.
| R.-What's wanting, uncle !?
ST. wants to vote.
R.-You mean that you wish to
register.
ST. s'pose so.
R.-Well, how long have you resi-
ded in this State?
S.-What State is dis?
R.-Louisiana.
Swell, | has been ziden in Saint
Tameny State twenty years.
| R.-Are you 81 years Of age?
S.-No, sab, Ise sixty, so dey say.
R.-Haye you ever held any office
S.-Nebber more den hog feeder an
foreman, an | wish to God I held dem
now, for den I had plenty to cat; now
dis ole niger am hungry more'n hall
his time @
Rid you engage in the late re-
bellion against the Government
81 nebber shoot gun in my life.
When do gray coat sogers was treat
en- from Baton Rouge, and de d-d
blue coat Yanks was arter 'em. I did
feed dc gray coats, and would do it
agin.
R.-Well, hold up your hand
! (Swears him
Swell, massa, I kin vote now,
kin L?
R.-Ycs, you are entitled to all the
privileges of citizen.
SKIN Iswop dis paper? (holding
up the permit.
R.-No; what do wish to trade it
for
Swell, here's my ole massa, and
you tole him he can't vote bekase he
hab been squire, and | want to trade
it to him and let him do de woten and
hold de offices, and let dis ole nigger
feed de hogs and plow de corn, and
den ole massa got sense and kin tell
who is de best man to vote for; and
IL kin stay at home and make plenty
to eat ; and hab de pleasure once more
ob seein my children look slick and
greasy, and hear dem sing cheerful
song; a thing IAave not heard sence
de surrender.
R-Well, uncle, you are a hard
case, and may retire.
Swell, you may talk about tired,
| been tired ebber since de surrender.
and I gets more and more so cherry
day, when I sees desc Yankees comm
down here and tell de darkies, ssGod
bress you, we are de boys dat set you
Free" Now do dey tink dis ole nigger
is q foolY Didn't my ole farder and
mudder tell me dat de Yankees from
Boston come to Africa, whar dey was
free, and stole 'em and brung 'em to
ole Wirginny and sole 'em to dis ole
massa's daddy, and now dey wants to
make me b'lieve dat dey is my best
friend? Well, eff dey had wanted me
TO b'lieye dem to be friend to de
niger, why did dey not take de mon
ey dat dar daddy got for my daddy.
and nanny and buy me and my chill
dren and set us free; den I'd b'lieveH