Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-06-25
Who are Entitled to Register.

We publish below, from the recent opinion
of Attorney General Stanbery, summary Of
the affiliations Of voters:
l. The oath prescribed in the supplemental
act defies all the qualifications required, and
every person who can take that oath is entitled
to have his name entered upon the list Of voters
g. The board Of registration have no author
ity to administer any other oath to the person
applying for registration than this prescribed
oath nor to administer any oath to any other
person, touching the qualifications of the ap-
nlicant, or the falsity of the oath so taken by
him. The act to guard against falsity in the
oath, provides that, if false, the person taking
it shall be tried and punished for perjury.
No provision is made for challenging the
qualifications Of the applicant, or entering upon
any trial or investigation OF his qualifications
either by witnesses or any other form of proof
g. As to citizenship and residence.
The applicant for registration must be a citi-
zen of the State and of the United States and
| must be resident of county included in the
election district. He may be registered if he
has been such citizen for a period less than
twelve months at the time he applies for regis
tration, but he cannot vote at any election un-
less his citizenship has then extended to the
full term of one year. As to such person the
exact length of his citizenship should be noted
opposite llS Haulc Oh tile lSt, So tudt IL uldy dp-
pear on the day of election, upon reference to
the list whether the full term has then been
accomplished.
4. An unnaturalized person cannot take this
oath, but an alien who has been naturalized can
take it, and no other proof of naturalization can
be required from him.
s. No one who is not twenty one years OF age
at the time of registration can take the oath,
for he must swear that he has then attained
that age
6. No one who has been disfanchised for
participation in any rebellion against the Uni
ted States, or for felony committed against the
laws of any State or of the United States, can
safely take this oath.
The actual participation in rebellion, or the
actual commission Of felony, does not amount
to disfranchisement. The sort of disfranchise-
ment here meant, is that which is declared by
law passed by competent authority, or which
has been fixed upon the criminal by the SEN
tence of the court which tried him for the
crime.
No law of the United States has declared the
penalty of disfranchisement for participation in
rebellion alone. Nor is it known that any such
law existed in either Of these ten States, ex-
cept perhaps Virginia, as to which State special
instructions will be given.
7. As to dlSfranchlsenaent arising from hav-
ing held office toNo,oed by participation IN re-
| bellion
This is the most important part of the oath,
and requires strict attention to arrive at it's
meaning. / deem it proper to give the exact
words. The applicant must swear or affirm as
follows:
'"That have never been member of any
State legislature, nor held any executive or ju-
dicial Office in any State and afterwards engaged
in an insurrection or rebellion against the Uni
ted States, Or given aid Or comfort to the enc
mics thereof; that have never taken an oath
as member of Congress of the United States,
or as an officer of the United States, or as a
member Of any State legislature, or as an exc
cutive or judicial officer of any State, to sup
port the Constitution of the United States, and
afterwards engaged in insurrection or rebellion
against the United States, or given aid Or COM
fort to the enemies thereof
Two elements must concur in order to dis
qualify person under these clauses First, the
Office and official oath to support the Constitu-
ton of the United States: Second, engaging
afterwards in rebellion. Both must exist to