Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1867-05-31
THE FRANCHISE TEST OATH!
From the Nashville Banner

| FROM the Nashville Banner.
Conceiving II a matter of the greatest i'm
lportance that all of our white population
who can possibly do so should obtain GER
tifcate of registration, we propose 10 discuss
the obstacles that are opposed by said law to
such certificates. The present Franchise Law
recognizes the validity of all certificates is
sued under the act of May Sd, 1866, except
in those counties Of which the registration
under that act the Gar of all the Tennessees
has annulled. In Montgomery County, for
instance, some $50 hold certificates under
that act called there the "Byrne certificates
and these without further registration, enti-
tie them TO the elective privilege.
And now as to those who by the provisions
of this last bill must prove their right TO be
excepted from Its sweeping disqualiicatons
Section 3 of the act declares they must prove,
by the testimony of two competent per,ons,
that they have not been guilty of any of the
disqualifcations specially mentioned in the
aet, and must subscribe to the following
oath:
s"I do solemnly swear that have never
voluntarily borne arms against the Govern
ment of the United Mates, for the purpose,
or with the intention of aiding the late re-
hof uuNt WIN cuCl luituuOu,
OF shy time, give aid, comfort, council or en-
lcouragement to said rebellion, or to any act
Of hostility to the Government of the United
States. | further swear, that have never
sought or accepted any Office, either civil or
military, under any authority, or pretended
authority of the so-called Confederate States
of America, or of any insurrectionary State,
hostile or opposed to the authority of the
United State Government, with the intent
or desire to aid said rebellion; aud that
have never given voluntary support to any
such government or authority. So help me
Cod
This oath embodies all the specially men.
toned disqualifcatons in the act ITSELF as II
should properly. do. We submit that this
oath does not disqualify any one for mere
!, sympathy with the late rebellion, The oath
expressly states that this sympathy must have
manifested itself ''tcih The INTENTION OF
l AIDING the late rebellion" The last clause
Of the oath, requiring q denial of ''voIun-
tary support Of the Confederate Govern
ment at first blush seems to constitute an
insurmountable impediment to taking the
oath with those who wished success to the
Southern arms. Can the trunk of tree,
hoVever bravely 1t sustains the mass of fruit,
foliage and limb above, be said to give them
a voluntary support2 What mattered Il
whether, win or without murmur, we
ooeyed ae ydcto Go'ernmentt Were we
not obliged, all the same, TO yield it our al
: legiance, so long as 1t had the power to en-
force in Unless such allegiance was given
, by active and enthusiastic aid, il would not
be considered as voluntary, in such connec-
ton. Mere sympathy with revolution does
not constitute OF ltseli potlrafdry support
to any form OF dc fdcfo government that rev.
oiution may force upon US. Ihere are many
persons who had this sympathy, but aided
the confederate cause in no way. Such, in
our op,mon, pm., can conscientiously take thls
oatn. others gave to their sons money and
clothing, put they did IL from natural per-
sonai ooiigauons, and not with the intent
> 70 aiu me reoeliioh; Many gave Coniede-
,ate soia'ers Tue sneiter OF their rooi and the
nospitali,y OF tne,r 'aoie' ont gave IL 10 mem
IN aceoruahce win christian DUTY. Many
suoh persons may have been willing to aid
tne reoeilIon, out IL they uid these acts rom
SENSE oi cnar''y anu personal, oohgauoh,
.nen ,ney uiu not 40 'nein win the intent
10 M ava sne ieoeliion. -
we 40 noe propose 70 ueai IN any easuistry
OF any e'nlcai uiscnss'oh OF tne figot 10 un-
iruthialiy SUBSCRIBE 70 an oath, which fyiants
ha'e irainea 70 perPe'na.e theif RUE ana our
pohuage' Dui we 10 uiink that an ehilght
eheu understanding OF ihe requirements OF
tn,s particular oa.h wii convince OF the'r
aoHity 10 iocohsciehtionsiy lake IL, many whose
FORMER sympathy win the Confederacy, or
thelr extension oil such kindnesses as we have
mentioned 70 It's champ ons have constituted
supposed dlsquai'hcalion: We admit that
ms is matter ior The decision OF each one
conscience, but claim that an enlightened
moral sense does not forbid the acceptance Of
thls oath II tine dlsfranchlsed person merely
Il sympa'hizeu WIN tue pouth, anu uiu no hcts
hostile TO the United States, with the intent
TO AID the rebellion.
II such persons subscribe to the oath, the
law in question requires the additional testi-
mony OF two competent persons" As to
who are and who are not competent will de-
tpend very much upon the good sense and
impartiality of the Commissioners Of Regis
tration. The law requires only that these
same two "compeient' be "loyai men. We
think two snch men can be found in every
county--perhaps in every neighborhood In
!. the Sta,e-who might be personally cogui-
n zant Of the applicants history, and whose
honesty and intelligence would permit them
to cheerfully testify that said applicant had