The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1867-05-30

who, by command of his master or by
military order, has served in the ranks
or aided in the construction OF mill
tary works. These parties would not
be liable. But persons who volun-
teered to serve in the Confederate
army and who, during the rebellion,
acted in an official capacity, where the
duties of office necessarily had relation
to the support of the rebellion sucn
as members of rebel legislatures and
rebel congress and rebel conventions
diplomatic agents of rebel confedera-
cv. or suck other officials whose duties
more especially appertained to the
support of the rebel cause, must be
held to come within terms of exclu-
sion.
On this point, the Attorney General
adds: "Ohicers in those rebel States
who, during rebellion, discharged
official duties not incident to war, but
in preservation of order and admins
tration of law, are not to be considered
as thereby engaging in rebellion. The
interests of humanity require such
officers for performance Of such Official
conduct in time of war in instruction,
as well as in time of peace, and per
Torrance Of such duties can never be
considered criminal. can't bring
anvself to the conclusion that Congress
could have meant that such purely
civil and necessary offices involved
the incumbentin guilt ofinsurrection.
In the paragraphs just quoted, are
defined what is participating sin the
rebellion" but it must be remembered
that such participation, as before
stated, does not operate to exclude
from registering and voting unless
persons IN addition to Sucb acts, had
previously held an appointment in
Guiding the obligation of an oath to
support the Constitution of the United
States. The teco elements must concur
to operate as a. Disqualification. To
quote the language of the Attorney
General
A man is not DISTINGUISHED although
he has held the office and taken the
oath, if he have not afterwards en-
gagged in the rebellion, and
A man is not DISTINGUISHED although
he may have taken part in the rebellion,
if he hare not previously held one Of tie
designated offices, and taken tile OATH.
The qualification of member of
the Convention is the same that is de
clared to be necessary for voter
Registers are required to take what
is known as the iron clad oath of
1862. They have no authority to re-
quire any other proof Of the qualifica-
ton of applicants for registry than
the prescribed oath. If a person, to
secure the privilege swears falsely, he
is liable to punishment for perjury
when proved guilty by a court author
lied to take cosnizanCe or the crime
With the exceptions above specifi-
ed, as to county officers, the opinion
of the Attorney General, is clear
and definite; and in a short time the
question as to those will be settled
The opinion will be issued to District
commanders by Gen. Grant, in the
form Of regulations for the guidance
of all concerned. Let every man who
has right to register, secure the pri-
vilege of voting as soon as opportu-
nifty offers. If any one has a doubt
about his right, he should present
himself before the Board, and ascer-
tain the oath that he will be required
to take before he determines to stand
aloof. Never has the exercise of the
privilege of suffrage been so impor-
tant as at the present time