The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-01-26
No. 1oo22.

ballot. If Congress would do its work
thoroughly, and would extend adequate pro-
lection to the loyal whites and blacks of the
South, let it by no means omit this oath;
but let the oath be test of suffrage, with
out regard to color. This we believe to be-
the unanimous wish of the Unionsrs of this
State, as well as of the cotton States, as
shown by the Address of the Southern Re
publican Association. which We publish to-
day.
MR.. STEVENS BILL FOR THE READMIsSIoN OF THE
SOUTHERN STATES
By Telegraph to the Tyibune.1
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2l.-The following bill, IN
troduced into the House last session by Mr. Ste
vens, To enable the States lately in rebellion to
regain their privileges in the Unior,'' has been
amended considerably, and in its amended forn
will be called up for action by Mr.. Stevens in
few days:
Bill to enable the States lately in rebellion to
regain their privileges in the Union
Whereas, The eleven States, which lately formed
the Government called the "Confederste States
OF America, have forfeited all their rights under
the Constitution, and can be reinstated ia the
same only through the action of Congress there
fore,
Be it enacted b. the Senate and Hosss Of Hepreses
tdtives Of the United States OF Anaerica ue Congress
assembled, That the eleven States lately ia rebel
lion, except Tennessee, may form IuId State
Governments i'll the following manner
SECTION =. And be it further enacted, That the
State Governments now existing de .tacto though
illegally formed in the midst OF martial law, and
in many instances the constitutions were adopted
under duress, and not submitted to tie ratiica-
tion OF the people, and therefore are not to be
treated as free republics yet they are hereby ac-
knowledged as valid governments for municipal
purposes until the same shall be duly altered and
their Legislative and executive officers shall be
recognized as such
SEC. s. Aatd be ii Further enacted That the ter
States which were lately in rebellion and have not
been admitted to representation in Congress, shall
hold elections on the first Tuesday of May, 1867,
to choose delegates 10 convention 10 form
State Government. The Convention shall con-
sist of the same number of members.as the most
numerous branch of the Legislature OF said State
before the Rebellion. 1t shall meet at the former
capital OF said State on the first Monday of June
of said year, at II O'Clock noon, with power to
adjourn from time 10 time, and shall proceed to
form State Constitution. which shall be submit
ted to the people a, such time the Convention
shall direct and if ratified by majority of legal
votes shall be declared the Constitution of The
State. Congress shall elect Commission for
each of said States, to consist of three persons,
who SHALL select or direct the mode u selecting
the election of officers for the several lection dis
trcts, which districts shall be the sagn- before
the Rebellion, unless allotted by eJiL Commits
sion. The officers shall consist oil ole Judge and
two inspectors OF elections and two clerks. The
said officers, together with all the expenses of
the election shall be paid by the United States
and said expenses shall be req ! BY said State or
Territory. Each of said officers shall receive S5
per day for the time actually employed. Each of
| the members of said Commission shall receive
! $4,000 per annunl, and their CLERKS 900. The
Commission shall procure I'll tae,.. =. ary books
| stationery and boxes, ard to MAXI . eguatiOns
to effect the objects Of this act =. 6resident
| of the United States ana the nii,i,f.. comman-
! der of tine district shall FURNISH s. sch mil
| itary aid as the said Commission ALI deem
necessary 10 protect the r,nis and &c peace
| at each of the election districts Y means,
no elections should be hcid in q aid late
! States on the day herein liked. then q election
| Shall be held on the thrd Monda; ~, 1867,
! in the manner herein prescribed. rils OF all
| such elections shall be made to IT, - commits.
sioners, whose certificates VI ciecl all be pri
! tucie evidence of the TACT.
Sec. 4. 4nd be 1t fmitbe1. enacted. : at persons
who shall be entitled to vote at UGtl e said elec
tions shall be as follows: All malc citizens above
the age Of 2l years, who have resided one year in
said State and ten days within the ct.on district
! SEC. 5. And be FURTHER caacte5, That the word
citizen, as used in this act saii be construed to
mean all persons Except indians not taXed) born
in the United States, duly nutuyalZed Any
male citizen above the age of q years shall be
competent to be elected to act as cate to s:id
SEC. e. And be it furt}ser enacted, That all per-
sons who, on the 4th day OF March 1854, were of
full age, who held otcr, c!ther ciIii military,
| under the government called the = ( confederate
States of America" or WHO YuiElt.i y swore al
legiance to said government, are h"rchy declared
to have forfeited thci! citizenship and to have re-
nounced allegiance to The United States and shall
not be entitled 10 eXerci,. The elective franchise
or hold office until five years after ticy shall have
| filed their intention ,sre 10 be rcinvested
with the right of citizenship, and shall swear al
| legiance to the United STATES and renounce ale-
| glance to all other governments pretended gov
ernments; the said application to be filed and
oath taken in the same courts that by law are au-
| thorZed to nauralize foreigners. Provided, how
ever that on taking the following oath the party,
being otherwise qualified, shall be allowed to vote
| and hold office:
81, A. B., do solemnly swear, on the Holy
Evangelis's of Almighty God, that Oh the 4th day
| of March, 1854, and at all times thereafter, I
would willingly have complied with the require
ments of the Proclamation of the President of the
United States, issued on the Sth day Of Decem-
Der, 1868, had safe opportunity of So doing been
allowed; and that the said 4th % March, 1864,
and all times thereafter, was opposed to the
continuance of the Rebellion, and - the estab-
| lishment of the so-called Confederate Govern
ment, and voluntarily gave nc aid and comfort
Union and the suppression of all armed resistance
| to the Government of the United States; ana
that will henceforth faithfully support the Con-
| stitution of the United States and tne Union of
| the States Hereunder"
SEC. z And be it further enacted, That no con-
| stituton shall be presented to Or acted on by
Congress which denies to any citizen any rights,
privileges or immunities which are granted to
any other citizen in the State. All laws shall be
impartial without regard to language, race or
former condition. If the provisions of this Sec
ton should ever be altered, repealed, expunged,
or in any way abrogated, this act shall become
void and said State lose its right to be represent
| ed in Congress
Sec. g. And be it further enacted, That when
| the foregoing conditions shall be compiled
with, the citizens of said State may present said
constitution to Congress, and if Il same shall be
| approved by Congress, said State shall be
declared entitled to the rights, privileges and
immunities, and be subject to all the obligations
| and liabilities of a State within the Union. No
Senator or Representative shall be admitted into
| either House of Congress until Congress shall
| have declared the State entitled thereto. l''