Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-01-15
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of the United States Supreme Court III
the Missouri sest oath case.
X John A. Cummins, Roman Cathoh'
priest, who was indicted for preaching
and teaching without taking the oa'n
prescribed by the Constitution oil tna'
State, being the plaintiff in error me
Court decides the test oath uncons'i'u,
,ional in this case, being in the nature Of
punishment without trial, and its char
acter er post factO, and as bill OF ct
,ainder. The judgment of the Court
below is reversed, with directions that
the plaintiff shall depart withous delay
Associate Justice Field has also deliv-
cred an opinion of the Court in the cases
Of Garland and Mari, who, having taken
"a mart in the rebellion, ask to De read
mitted to practice. The Court held that
as the statute imposes punishment
which may not be punishable at the time
the offense was committed, it is, IN i's
nature er post factO law, and that Al,
,orpevs are not officers Of, the United
States, though they are officers OF the
4 t,ourt and hold their Offices during good
behavior and the Court Is not tho regis
ter of the edicts of any other power. Inc
apnlicants obtained q pardon from
the President, which relieves them
from the consequences OF the Oh
fenss, and makes them citizens In
the view of the law, what they
were before the offense was committed,
for Congress cannot limit the prerogatiye
of mercy, neither can it be fettered oy
legislative restriction. Therefore 1T fol-
lowed that the prayers of the petitioners
must be granted. The rule which re-
ouires attorneys to take the test oath
must be rescinded, and the order is made
accordingly. Associate Justice Miller,
for himself, Chief Justice Chase and AS
sociates Wayne and Davis read dis
senting opinion.
The Committee on Territories have
instructed Mr.. Ashley to report his
amendment to the bill to re-establish q
civil government in North Carolina" as
a substitute for Stevens, now before the
House.
The President has nominated Senator
Cowan, of Pennsylvania, as Minister to
Austria. His .-rm in the Senate ex-
pires on the 4th of March next.
Adyices received from Europe state
that large quantities Of Government Sc
curities will be returned to this country
BY the next steamer, the business COM
munity having become weary OF such IN
ves,ments since the three.ened impeach-
ment question takes tangible shape.
Stanton, it is said, has been snbpened
before the House Judiciary Committee
in the matter Of the impeachment
PANS, January l4-There is vague
rumor afoat that desperate plot to as
sassinate the Emperor has been dlscov-
cred and frustrated by the officials The
rumor is not confirmed.
Sr. PErsRsBURG, January lathe
Government of Russia has ordered a
general amnesty for all offenses COM
nitted by the newspaper press OF the
Empire.
LrvERPooL, January H. = Cotton
opened quiet and steady. Sales esti'
mated at 1000 bales.
The London Times says the year 1867
brings peace as New Years gift to
Europe, and, financially, never did
year open with better promises.
The Emperor Napoleon, in his address
to the diplomatic body on the lst said
1.-THE opening of the new year furnishes
me with an opportunity of expressing
my wishes for the stability Of the thronel
and the prosperity of the nations
hope that we are entering upon a new
era of peace and Cancellation, and thu
exposition viii operate toward calming
the passions and drawing closer the gen
eral interests
LvERPooL, January l4.--The Thoma
Humphrey, which cleared from this por
for New York, was lost at sea near Hol!
Head, Wales, few days since. AL OF
board except the captain and one ma
were lost.
MADRID, January i4-A revolutionar
iunto, having its headquarters here, ha
Just issued a strong and stirring addre'
to the people.
New ORLEANS, January l4-Geners
Mover, Assistant Commissioner of tn
Bureau here, gives notice to person
making applications to him properly
+ being planters or others employing freet
men, that they can obtain transportatio
for them from other States. No perso
or persons have an appointment fror
him, securing to themselves this business
The Commercial newspaper, which, o
the LIST assumed the defense Of the poll
ical course Of Governor Wells, has SUI
pended.
The New 0rleana Tribune, which
edited by negroes, opposes the plan
freedmen making contracts with Il
planters, or working on the shares.
advises them to work BY the week only
CoIUnIA, S. C., January M-Tl
freedmen are leaving this country