The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-01-29

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differs in several respects from the North
Carolina bill, in its machinery, but the oath,
which is the gist of the measure, is preser-
we'd. Wet,ust the oath soiU not. in any eoent, be
altered or omitted We are satisfied, from our
knowledge of the South, that it is the best
oath vet devised. Provision should be made,
however, in the bill for Furnishing those who
may succeed in taking it falsely.
Another very important improvement IS,
| that Mr.. Stevens amended bill extends the
oath not merely to office holders but to c0ters
We have conversed with many Unionists, and
| heard from others, since our return from
| Washington, and it seems to be the general
wish of our loyal people that unrepentant
rebels should be excluded from the ballot
box, and that loyal men only, without re-
gard to color, should be invested with the
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 a test of suffrage, with
out regard to color. This we believe to be
the unanimous wish of the Unionists of this
State, as well as of the cotton States,
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 Tribune.]
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2l.-The following bill, in
troduced into the House last session by Mr.. Ste
vens, ITO enable the States lately in rebellion to
regain their privileges in the Union," has been
amended considerably, and in its amended form
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 s'Confederate States
of America" have forfeited all their rights under
the Constitution, and be rcinstated in the
same only through the action of Congress; there
FORE
Be it enacted By the Senate and House Of Represe,
tdres Of the United States Of -4Mer1ca in Congress
assembled, That the eleven States lately in rebel
lion, except Tennessee, may form valid State
Governments in the following manner:
SECTION .. Ind be 1t Jurfher enacted, That the
State Governments now existing de tact0 though
illegally formed in the midst of martial law, and
in many Instances the constitutions were adopted
under duress, and not submitted TO the ratiica-
ton of the people, and therefore are not TO be
treated rs 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. ). Ind be it further enacted, That the ten
States which We're lately in rebellion, and have not
been admitted to representation in Congress, shall
hold elections on the first Tuesday of May, 1857
to choose delegates to convention to form
State Government The Convention shall con
sist of the same number OF members 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 TO time and shall proceed to
form State Constitution. which shall be submit
ted to the people al such time as the Convention
shall direct, and If ratified by majority OF legal
votes shall be declared the Cons iitutiOn OF The
State. Congress shall elect Commission for
each of said States, to consist of three persons
who shall select or direct the mode of selecting
NtfA rf nnS. a..
tricts which districts shall be the as before
the Rebellion, unless allotted by said Commits
sion, The officers shall consist of one 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 snail be req / by said State or
Territory. Each of said officers shall receive So
per day for the time actually employed. Each OF
the members of said Commission shall receive
$1,000 per annunl, and their clerks 81 600 The
Commission shall procure all the necessary books
stationery and boxes, and to make all regulations
to effect the objects of this act. The President
of the United States and the military comman-
der of the district shall furnish much mil
itary aid rs the said Commissioners shall deem
necessary to protect the polls and keel the peace
at each of the election districts. If by anv means
no elections should be held in any of said late
States on the day herein fixed, then said election
shall be held on the third Monday of May, 1867
in the manner herein prescribed. Returns of all
such elections shall be made to the said Commits
Soncrs, whose certificates OF election shall be pr
tdciG evidence OF the fact.
SEC. +. Ind be IL ruFther enacted, That persons
who shall ne entitled to vote at both of said cleo
tOns shall be as follows: All male citizens above
the age of u Years, who have resided one year in
said State and ten days within the election district
SEC. >. -fud be ii tuJLteI' enacted, That the wor!
citizen, used in this act, shall be construed to
mean ali persons Except Indians not taxed born
in the United States, or duly naturalZed. Any
male citizen above the age of II years shall be
competent to be elected 10 act as delegate to sid
convention.
SEC. q. Ind be it FURTHER enacted, That all per-
sons who, on the 4th day of March, 1864, were of
full age who held Office, either civil military,
under the government called the Confederate
States of America" or who voluntarily SwOre al
legiance to said government, are hereby declared
to have forfeited their citizenship and to
nounrcd allegiance to tie United States, and shall
not be entitled to exercise the elective franchise
hold Office until five years after they shall have
filed their intention or desire to be rcinvested
with the right of citizenship, and shall swear al
legiance to the United States and renounce allie
glance to all other governments or pretended gov
ernments; the said application to be filed and
oath taken in the same courts that by law are au
thorZed to naturaliZe foreigners. Provided, how
ever that on taking the following oath the party,
being otherwise qualified shall be allowed to vote
and hold office:
81, 4. B., do solemnly swear, on the Holy
Evangelis-s of Almighty God, that on the 4th day
of March, 1864, and at all times thereafter /
would willingly have complied with the require
ments of the Proclamation of the President of the
OnltcQ states, issued on the Stn day OF Decem
Der, 1863 had safe opportunity of so doing been
allowed and that the said 4th of March, 1861
and all times thereafter, / opposed to the
continuance of the Rebellion, and TO the estab
lishment of the so-calIed Confederate Govern
mcnt, and voluntarily gave no aid and comfort
thereto, but earnestly desired the success of the
Union and the suppression of all armed resistance
to the Government of the United States; and
that will hcnceforth faithfully support the Con-
stituton of the United States and the Union of
the States Hereunder"
SEC. Z. And be it further enacted, That no con-
stitutOn shall be presented to 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, or
former condition. If the provisions of this sec
ton should ever be altered, repealed, expungcd,
or in any way abrogated, this act shall become
void and said State lose its right to be represent
ed in Congress.
SEC. S. And be it further enacted, That when
ever the foregoing conditions shall be complied
with, the citizens of said State may present said
constitution to Congress- and if II 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 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.
THE NORTH-CAR0LNA STANDARD !