New Orleans Republican., 1868-12-11
THE TEST OATH.

enough as a torm;% also, "there Is noihini
more nonsensical than an oath" etc.
also accuses US, and, in fact, Republican
{ generally, with great fondness for oath'
The Crescent, although it has no ex-Justic
] OF the Peace on its staff, writes the ables
legal editorials on Camp street; but W
: think it is mistaken in its views of th
'nonsensicalness" of oaths, and in its con
: ception of our views. We believe tina
oaths have been imposed and multiplied Il
too great an extent. The test oath partic
ularly has had the unfavorable effect o
keeping thousands of men out of the Re
publican party who are otherwise partia
to Republican policy and laws
but could scarcely be expected
to advocate the success of what in
cluded their own disfranchisement. A
majority of the Republicans in this State
are opposed, probably, to all test oaths
and we believe the time has come for theiI
abolition. They would have been repealed
long ago had it not been for the chronic
violence and Ku-Kluxism in the Southern
States. The test oath has kept mole votes
out of the Republican party than it has
disfranchised men on the other side; but
the turbulent and violent spirit manifested
by portion of the opposition party have
made all efforts to abolish test oaths and
disfranchisements unpopular in Congress as
we'll as the Convention and Legislature OF
1868. "Let us have peace" and the Legis-
lature and Congress would doubtless at
once institute measures to relieve all dis
abilities. Such are our views and nothing
contrary to them has appeared in these
columns. The test oath was instituted in
tine of war ard was intended as safe
guard, not as a punishment; but though
well meant it does not work well in time
of peace, either for national purposes or
those of the Republican party. 1t is
variously interpreted and not susceptible
of fixed application.
To illustrate the truth of this remark, we
give one or two notable instances of how
curiously the test oath has been construed
in this city.
Mr.. Thomas P. May, the defaulting Sub
Treasurer, organized the "St. Stephens
Guards" of St. John parish, with his own !
means, and was elected and served as Lieu !
tenant of the company, aud took an active
part against the United States Government |
in the early days of the rebellion. He ad-
mitted this in the New Orleans Times of
July Is, 1864, (of which paper he wGs the
founder and the largest owner), as follows:
We desire 10 say. however, in conclusion,
that there is truth in the statement that Mr..
Thomas P. May was 'slaveholderr before
the war, and we will add that he was a
pretty large one. 1t is true that he was "a
Lieutenant Of the Stephens Guards" and it
is also true that he foreseeing that the in.
aviLable result of the war upon the United
States would be the emancipation of slaves
IN Louisiana, was one of the first to throw
himself beneath the broad folds of his
banner, notwithstanding her sue.
cess was to him a loss of the full value
Of his slaves, not less than two hundred
thousand dollars, BE was willing to give
something for the preservation of the Union, |
that was thus valuable, and his Lieutenancy |
OF the Stephens Guards into the bargain. |
When the editors of the Era and La Rendis-
Sdace can show that they have sacrificed as
much, Mr.. May will be ready to meet them
On the question of patriotism. The editor
1f the Times has, however, at least credit
n these days, when gentlemanly editors
ire scarce, this compliment is worthy of
ecord.
On the arrival of General Butler, the ex-
lieutenant Of the rebel service was the
rst to tender public dinner to that dis
inguished Union commander, at John Gal
is, at which were present those distin-
uished patriots, ]. S. Whitaker, j. A. Ro-
ier, Christian Roselius and others. And
lbsequently, when appointed Sub-Treas-
rer, the same ex-Lieutenant took the test
ath prescribed by the Radical Congress,
nd with uncovered head and uplifted i
and swore thus
l have voluntarily given no aid. coun- !
enance, counsel or encouragement to per-
bus engaged in armed hostility thereto
lat have neither sought nor accepted
or attempted to exercise the functions of
ny office whatever, under any authority
r pretended authority in hostility to the c
nited States that have not yielded a
oluntary support to any pretended gov
authority, power or constitution q
ithin the United States hostile or inimical !
hereto"
Notwithstanding the curious position I
coupled by Mr.. May, the Times. during :
is administration, was indeeently eager to
ick flaws in the records of other men. q
We will close this subject by one more
xample. Mr.. John Quincy Adams Fell ]
'ws, well-known politician, who has I
cen an active Know-Nothing, clustering q
sbel, then a pretended Union man, and
'ho is now an ornament to the Democratic l
arty, furnishes US the instance. Il
The fiftieth annual Communication of
he most worshipful The Grand Lodge OF '
ne State of Louisiana" commenced in the
ity OF New Orleans, at the Grand Lodge I
Iall, on st. Charles street, on Monday.
february 10, 1862, at half-past six o'clock /
;. NJ.
The Grand Master, J. @. A. Fellows,
elivered an address in which are found '
be following paragraphs:
It is with feeling of sadness that
iotice the absence of many face which / !
lave had the pleasure to greet here during
he last ten years. Many who have hereto
ore come up to this annual assembly and
assisted US with their counsels, have, at thel {
all Of their country, left friends and homet
% serve its behests on the tented field and
n the deadly strife O! battle. A
dason's duty Is to his country, next after