The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1868-04-01
Who Can Register?

As the books of re gistra,ion for this parish will be
opened again next Friday for revision, the following
article, under the above caption, from the New Or
leans Crescent, should be read by those who have not
yet registered: "
In general terms. it may be stated that all are ex-
Guided who, having, at any time exercised the iunc-
tions Of UHited States officer, or of an executive or
judicial State Office, subsequently engaged in what the
law calls the g rebellion" What constitutes engaging
in the rebellion" isl delicate question. Mere po-
litical opinion, or sympathy of feeling does not constr
tute such adhesion to the Confederate cause As the law
contemplates. Some overt act must have been COM
mitted, such as voluntarily entering the military Ser
vice, or discl,arging the duties of some office which
was not absolutely essential to the preservation OF Or
der and the security oflfe and property.
As examples which will govern the registrars in
their course, we may take the cases indicated in Gen.
Hancock's order, published yesterday morning. These
cases occurred in Texas, and are appeals taken from
the decisions of the boards Of registration In that State.
1t must be observed that, in these cases, as in all 9TH
ers, there can be no disfranchisement unless the ap-
plicant, in addition to the first clause of dlsqualltlca-
tion, afterwards engaged in the so-called rebellion"
First, It appears that persons disqualified are not
entitled to register because OF a pardon. Notas
ries public are to be considered as State officers
within the meaning Of the act, since their functions
are exercised under a general law. They are, there
fore, disqualified. Aldermen are not State officers,
and therefore, are not disqualified. The same may be
said of all other municipal officers, such as m mayors and
street commissioners, treasurers, etc, and their clerks,
police officers and, in short, the large number Of per-
sohs who are employed under municipal corporations.
All Of these persons were arbitrarily disfranchised by
Gen. Sheridan, acting as the instrument of the Repub-
lican committee. They will, now, be permitted to re-
gister provided that they are not otherwise disquali-
fed. Village councilnen. and other village and town
officers, of course come under the SAME rule. County
commissioners are considered lin Texas TO act under a
general law, and are disqualified, and likewise cognate
officers in Louisiana. Officers of the State militia Are
not executive, or Judicial officers; consequently they
are not disqualified. No~n-commissioned officers and
privates of the United States army are not officers, in
the meaning of the law; they are, therefore, not dis
tranchised. Members Of secession conventions are not
disqualified, if they can take the oath prescribed by
the act of Congress of March Esd, 1867. "Disloy-
atty is nota ground of exclusion. Clerks of cleo
ton are stated to be officers under a general law, and,
therefore, they are excluded.
These cases seem to cover, in principle at least, al
most all the points that are likely to arise; and it is
very desirable that the registrars, in order to save time
and trouble, should examine them carefully, and keep
always at hand a copy Of the order in Which they are
embraced.