The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1868-09-23
Il 'il sii9st Z -
R.erist.ratinll

r-
After having borne the oppressive infctioh OIL pro-
seriptye tests and oats, numerous as TO tax the
most powerful memory our people are again called
upon to enter upon an entirely registration, and
again to scrunise their conscences to ascertain how
far their capacity take oaths may eatitle them
to the political rights of American citizens
Under the new Radical registration law, which we
pubch in another column a Board of Registration has
been already appointed with power to appoint supervl
Of registration, NOT to exceed three in each PARISH
Of the State. These appointments are now being made
and the supervisors of this parish may soon BECK
peeted.
As the law now stands the registration had under
the reconstruction laws is of no effect. An entirely
new registration is to be made unless additional ieg
lation shall in some way recognise the old cne The
work is TO be concluded the 24th day Of October
Time enough has not been allowed, and will depend
entirely upon the activity of people whether we
shall or shall not in this way be deprived of partcpa-
ton in the great political contest which is now being
waged for the restoration of the Government to Its
ancient purity in administration and the maintenance
Of the Constitution unmpared.
Similar Radical efforts to defeat Southern express
sion Of popular choice being made in other states
Oppressive az the law is VIC believe we can triumph IN
Louisiana should no legislative Instructions similar to
those issued in Arkansas, add to- the restrictions I'M
posed BY the law ITSELF Success will depend upon the
activity Of our own people Let every citizen thor
oughy famarise himself with the requirements OF the
law let the law be thoroughly considered, examined
discussed and explained to our entire people, and ie
no man who can register fail to do SO no matter a
what cost of personal Inconvenience. We commend
the example of the citizens Of the town of Moorteld
| Virginia. In their county register was appolnte'
living two hundred miles away from them, far up IL
the mountains at point almost inaccessible. AS III
refused to come to them they resolved to go to him
| and organised wagon train OF hundred wagons
we'll proyisioned, aud had started their journey
when the register repentng, in view of their ndoma
Bile determination to their rights sent Word ina
he would come to them, and did so.
i We have read the law with attention and belev
that we rightly construe it when We say all can regis
ter except those 1--WE quote from the constitution
"who held office, civil or military, for one yea
or more, under the organisation styled the Con
federate States of America; those who registered
themselves as enemies Oft United States those VIII
acted as leaders Of guerilla bands during the late rebe
on those who, in the advocacy OF treason, wrote o
published newspaper articles preached sermons dur
ing the late rebellion, and those who voted for an
signed an ordinance of secession in any State An
any of those thus excepted register who lst hay
made the recantation oath 1--WE refer to it with cor
tempt and ndignation) acknowledging the late rebe
lion to have been morally and politically wrong an
regreting aid and comfort given or, Cd. those who
without such recantaon, make affidavit that pro
to the lst day of January 1855 they favored the e,
. ! ecution of the reconstruction laws.
We approve the recent action Of Democratic Gu
No. /, in appointing committee to take charge {
this subject and report frequently, and pledging all it
members to care and vigilance in this, the most Wit
matter now affecting political welfare. Smila
action will no doubt be taken by all of our clubs
this and adjoining parishes We hope and believe tina
the enthusiasm to register will only beequalled by gu
enthusiasm in voting for the candidates of our choice
Having thus brought the subject to the attention
of our people, leave it to the people themselves