New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-12-05
Sworn to and subscribed before me, this
. day of December 1898


We do not know what toploftical gen.
tleman connected with the city government
is responsible for the concoction Of the
above form of oath. From time immemo-
rial it has been the custom for city officials
to take the oath OF Office prescribed by the
State Constitution, with the addition of de
claring themselves possessed of the qualifi
cations required by law which refers to
the requirmeuts of the city charter. The
latter requisite is embodied in the above
oath, but the remainder of the oath does
not correspond with the form OF oath re-
quired under the Constitutions of 1915,
1852, 1864 or 1868.
The form of oath prescribed by the Con-
stitution of 1868, which we presume is in
force in this State (and which superstitious
people generally would suppose themselves
swearing 10 when they promise to support
the Constitution of the State) is as follows:
l "a. b. do solemnly swear Tor affirm
that accept the civil and political equality |
OF all men, and agree not to deprive any
person or persons on account of race, color |
or previous condition, of any political or |
civil right, privilege or immunity enjoyed |
by any other class of men. That | will |
support the Constitution and laws of the |
United States, and the Constitution and |
laws of this State, and that will faithfully |
and impartially discharge and perform all
the duties incumbent ON me as -----
according to the best of my ability and IN
derstanding. So help me God.
We will now notice those particulars of
the oath prescribed for the election of to-
day, which are most notable.
l. The Constitution of the United States
Is particularly left out We trust that the
Constitution of the United States will sur
1--WE this almost fatal thrust. At the same
ime it is surprising that any disciple of
he Democratic party should avoid any
of declaring his devotion to
he Federal Constitution.
2. The af1iant does not accept civil or n
'olitical equality. Strange and very signi- 1
can't He is unreconstructed, certainly. d
3. Affiant don't promise to fill the office G
and impartially," but only with "
ability" This may imply very left C
anded way of filling an office. Judas fl
lcariot, Benedict Arnold, Andrew johnson, D
avid E. Twiggs, Fitz John Porter and C
severiar' others doubtless filed their d
fices with ability. n
1t is also noticeable that although affiant a
wears to the Constitution of the State, the
bove omissions render it exceedingly n
Oubtful what Constitution is meant. 1t ci
'rtainly does not mean, as we have before O
marked, either of the Constitutions of re
5, '52, ga or '6S, for all of these recog- ri
re the Constitution OF the United States n,
the oath of office they prescribe. Then D,
hat in the deuce can it mean? A thought on
likes US. We have It. The Convention of
1861 stuck the Constitution of the er
lifted States from the oath OF Office. The ma
illiant deviser of the above oath don'tre til
gnize the reconstruction acts of Congress
r anything that has been ordained or pa
ated in this State since 1861. May not OF
IS idea have the same luminous origin a. u,
=, =, -. e- ley
tn that which first conceived the modus N,
randi Of poor Thomas E. Adams Ere
ming his position?' Gu
Now, if the prescribing such an oath Of tnt
ce is mere blunder, it is blunder o.
ich costs the city rising $4,000. 1t rem 70
3 the election of to-day farce, and Vo
lilies any effect it would have, if it could BY
Ter any circumstances be supposed to ~
re any. Who is responsible for this ex- mr.,
Use and loss? Let the Property Hold del
Association" inquire. raj
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