Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1867-01-18
DURRoRRoW LUrz Editors and Proprletors.


construed to mean al persons texcept iudi
ans not tayed) bern in the United States, or
duly natul lized. Any male citizen above the
age Of tw lty-one years shall be competent
to be eleo d to act as delegate to said con
vention.
SEC. c. Aad be it further enacted, That
all persons who, on the fourth day of March,
eighteen hundred and sixty one, we're OF full
age who held Office, either civil or military,
under the government called the "ContedeF-
ate States of America or who swore ale
ginnce to said government, are hereby decla-
red TO have forfeited their citizenship and 10
have renounced their allegiance to the Uni-
ted States and ehan not he entitled to ever
else the elective franchise, or hold office,
until fve years after they shall have filed their
intention or desire to be reinvested with the
right of citizenship, and shall swear ale
glance to the Uuited States and renounce al
legiance to all other governments OF. pretend
ed governments the said application to be
fled and oath taken in the same courts that
by law are authorized to naturalize foreign
ers Pro0ided, holcsrer, that on taking the
following oath, the party being otherwise
qualified. shall be allowed to vote and ho Id
Office
/, A. B., do solemuly swear, on the holy
Eyaugelists Of Almighty God, that on the
fourth day of March 1864, and at all times
thereafter, would willingly have complied
wi tn the requirements of the proclamation Of
the President Of the United States, issued on
the eighth day Of Decem ber, 1868, had a
safe opportunity of so doing been allowed
me that on the said fourth Of March, eigh-
teen hundred and sixty four, and at all times
thereafter, | was opposed to the continuance
of the rebellion and to the establishment OF
the so called Confederate government, and
I F4Frsl ont
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 viii henceiorth faithfully
support the Constitution Of the United States
andthe Union Of the States Hereunder.
SEC. Z. Ind be ii further enacted, That no
constitution 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 WI thout regard to Ian.
guage race or former condition. 1t the pro-
visions of this section should ever be altered
repealed, expunged, or in any way abrogated,
this act shall become void and said State To-
ses its right to be represented in Congress.
SEC. s. Ind be ii further enacted, That
whenever the foregoing shall be complied
with, the citizens Of said State may present
said constitution to Congress, and II the same
shall be approved by Congress, said Slate
shall be declared entitled to the rights, priv
ileges and immunities, and be subject to all
the Obligations and liabilities of State with
In the Union. No Senator OF Representative
shall be admitted into either House Of Con.
gress until Congress shall have declared the
State entitled thereto.
After the reading of this bill Mr. Ste
sou- roae er.d sl,gl.e seatsss.--sis.lg 80 fsll---
Mr. Stevens. Mr.. Speaker, | am very
anxious that this bill should be proceeded
with until finally acted upon. | desire that,
rs early as possible, without curtailing de-
bate, this House shall come to some conclu-
sion as to what shall be done with the rcb-
el States This becomes more and more
necessary every day and the late decision
of the Supreme Court of the United States
has rendered immediate action by Congress
uDon the question Of the establishment of
governments in the rebel States, absolutely
iudispens- ble.
That d yision; although in terms perhaps
not as II as the Dred Scott decision,
is yet far more dangerous in its operation
upon the lives and liberties of the loyal
men Of this country That decision has
taken away every protection in every one
Of these rebel States from every loyal man.
black or white, who resides there. That
decision has unsheathed the dagger OF the
assassin, and places the knife OF the rebel
at the throat Of every man who dares pro-
claim himself to be now, or to have been
heretofore, a loyal Union man. If the doc
trine cnunciated In that decision be true,
never were the people of any country any
where, or at any time, IN such terrible per
il as are our loyal brethren at the South,
whether they be black or white, whether
they 20 there from the North, or are natives
of the rebel States.
Now, unless Congress proceeds at once
to do something TO protect Jilose pa0ple
from the barbariaus who are now daily mur-
dering them; who are numbering the loyal
whites daily, and daily putting into secret
graves not only hundreds but thousands Of
the coIored people Of that country unless
| Congress proceeds at once to adopt some
means for their protection | ask you and
every man who loves liberty, whether we
viii not be liable 10 the just ccnsure OF the
world for our negligence, or our cowardlce,
or our want Of ability to do SO
Now, SIT, 1t is for these reasons that l
insist on the passage Of some such measure
as this. This is bill designed to enable
loyal men. so far a | could discriminate
them in these States, to form governments,
which shall be in loyal hands, that they
may protect themselves FROM such outTages
as [ have mentioned. In States that have
/ never been restored since the rebellion from
a state Of conquest, and which are this day
| held In captivity under the laws Of war, the
military authorities, under this decision and
| its extension into disloyal States, dare not
order the commanders of departments to
enforce the laws of the country. One Of
the most atrocious murderers that has ever
been Jet loose upon any community has
lately been liberated under this very decis-
/ Ion, because the Government extended it,
perhaps according to the proper consTuc,
ton. to the conquered States as well as to
the loyal States.
4 gentleman from Richmond, who had
personal knowledge Of the facts, told me
the circumstances Of the murder. \ color
ed man, driving the family Of his employer,
drove his wagon against n wagon contain
/ ing Watson and his family. The wagon OF
Watson was broken. The next day Wat
son went to the employer of the colorcd
man and complained The employer offer
ed to pay Watson every dollar that he might
assess for the damage that had been done,
"No (" said he, / claim the right to chas-
tise the scoundrel. He followed the col
ored man, took out his revolver, and delib-
erately shot him dead in the presence OF
that community No civil authority would
prosecute him and, when taken into Gus
tody by the military authority, he Is dis
charged, by order Of the President, under
this most injurious and iniquitous decision.
NoU sir IF that decision be the law then