The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-02-07

: 1t will be observed that the amended bill
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 We trust the oath aciU not, in any e0ent, be
altered or omitted. Weare 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. .,...t
Another very important improvement is,
that Mr. Stevens amended bin extends the
oath not merely to ofice-holders but to u0ters.
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 ;
buG let the oath be 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, 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.
TBy Iezeqraph to the Tribune
WASHINGTON, Dec. N-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 Union,' has been
amended considerably, and in its amended form
will be called up for action by Mr.. Stevens i'll
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 ''Confederate States
OF America" have forfeited all their rights under
the Constitution, and can be reinstated i'll the
same only through the action of Congress; there
fore,
Be it enacted b., the Senate and House of Lepresen-
tatUes Of the United Suites Of AaericG in Congress
assembled, That the eleven States lately in rebel
Governments in the following manner:
SECTION 2 Ind be it further enacted, That the
State Governments now existing de tdcto 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 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 such.
SEC. 8. Ind BE- it further enacted, That the ten
States which were lately in rebellion, and have not
been admitted to representation in Congress, shall
to choose delegates to convention to 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. It shall meet at the former
capital of said State on the first Monday of June
of said year, at IL 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 al such time as 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 direct the mode of selecting
the election OF officers for the several election dis
trcts, which districts shall be the rs 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 shall be rer i by said State or
Territory. Each of said officers shall receive IS
per day for the time actually employed. Each of
the members of said Commission shall receive
$1,000 per annuni, and their clerks s., 000 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 so much mil
itary aid as the said Commissioners shall deem
necessary to protect the polls and keeL the peace
at each of the election districts IT, by any 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 ali
such elections shall be made to the said Commits
soners, whose certificates OF election shall be p,
tGcie evidence of the fact
SEC. t. Ind be it Jitrther enacted, That persons
who shall be entitled to vote at both of said cleo
lions shall he us 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. ). Ind be it FURTHER cndcted That the word
citizen, used in this act shall be construed to
oil India hnr
in the United States, or duly uaturalized Any
male citizen above the age of II years shall be
competent to be elected to act as delegate to sid
convention.
SEC. o. And 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 have re-
nounced allegiance to the United States, and shall
not be entitled to exercise the elective franchise
hold office until five years after they shall have
filed their intention desire to be rcinvested
with the right of citizenship, and shall swear al
legiance to the United States and rcnounce ale
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 au-
thorized to naturalize foreigners. Provided, how
ever, that 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
Evangelist 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
United States, issued on the 9Th day of Deem
Der, 1868, had safe opportunity Of SO doing been
allowed; and that on the said 18th of March, 1864,
and all times thereafter, l was opposed to the
continuance of the Rebellion, and to the estab-
lishment of the so-called Confederate Govern
ment, 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 henceforth faithfully support the Con-
stitution of the United States and the Union OF
the States Hereunder
SEC. z. And be it further enacted, That no con-
stitution 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, expullged
or in any way abrogated this act shall become
void and said State lose its right to be
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 Il same shall be
approved by Congress, said State shall be
declared entitled to the rights, privileges :,n6
immunities and be subject to all the obigati ons
and liabilities of State within the Union No
Senator or Representative shall be admitted in to
either House of Congress until Congress sh; Ill
have declared the State entitled thereto