The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-12-22


alleged wrongs as "a excuse for up'eiI'ng
the peoples government! in Georgia and
substituting for il that of a Radical cAbsl
in the interest OF Washington politicians
this, Of course, was Just what could not be
allowed The bill WAS well characterized
by a Republican, Mr. Brigham, as I'm con
hic, with every letter 9th past Iegi'!snoh
of Congress on the subject Of reeon'truc'
ton, in conflict with the express order OF
tina President when he was General OF the
army, acting under the law Of reconstruct'on
in 1865, in relation to Georgia; ia conflict
with the utterauce Of the Attorney General
Of the United States in reference to Viz
GINA, under the operation Of ell The recon
struction acts, and in conflict with oil past
legislation" Ii is slsO IN conflict with the
letter aud spirit of the Constitution, and is
tue sum of Radical vllainy in its crusade
agaius, the State governments. But uu!or
tunstely for the country, the more clearly
conservative Republicans and Democrats
have demonstrated the Illegal and outrageous
character Of any measure proposed to
Congress, the more determination and
haste the Radical majority have shown in
its passage.
The bill as passed empowers the Govern.
or to assemble, By Proclamation, al Pcr'on'
declared By Gen, Meade to be elected to the
General Assembly, in June, 1868 ; provides
that the persons 80 assembled n LegisIa'
lure shall, ia addition to the oath prescribed
by the Constitution Of the State, either
swear that they have pren relieved, by act
OF Congress, Of their disabilities under the
Fourteenth Amendment, or subscribe 10 aud
file the following oath, before being allowed
10 take ;heit seats
Il do soemnly swear Tor affirm, as the
case NAV BE- that have never held office
or exercised the duties OF n senator or rep
resentatye III congress, nor been member
o. the legislature Of any state OF the uitcd
States, nor held any civil Office created by
law for the administration Of any general
law of slate, or for the ADMINISTRATION Of
jusLlcJ in auy state, or under the laws Of
the United States, nor held any office IN the
military or naval service Of the ln'ed
States, and thereafter engaged in insurrec
ton or rebellion against the United States,
or gwen aid and comfort to its enemies, or
rendered, except in consequence OF dlrect
physical force, any support, or aid, to any
insurrectiUn or rebellion against the United
States, nor held any office under, or given
any support to, any government Of any
kild organized or acting in hostility to the
United States, or levyiDg war against the
United States, so help me God" jOr "on
the pains and penalty Of perjury M the
case may be-
It's further declared that those who may
falsely take either Of these oaths shall be
guilty of perjury, aud shall be tried, con
vloted and punished therefor by the Circuit
Court Of the United States for Georgia, md
the jurisdiction Of said court shall be so.c
aud exclusive for the purpose aforesaid II
is declared "iliegal and revolutionary tc
exclude anybody from the assembly upon the
ground of race, color OF previous condition
VI stIhlLuhts IL 10 MAUI lhNAih Shub Nl'i
the President to furnish the army aud navy
on the application Of the Governor, to in
force the provisions OF the bill. and it it
finally declared that the Legislature "shal
ratify the 18th amendment proposed 10 the
Constitution VI the United States before the
Senators and Representatives from Georgia
are admitted to seats in Congress-
If the people OF this country were not
in state Of political insanity or mad not
endured outrage ill they have become vii
ling to accept any form Of 1t 80 long as i
leaves them with life and the use OF ,heil
limbs, they would rise in their might and
hurl such revolutionary party as has tas
tened itself upon the country, aud placed
its heel Of defiant power upon all Law aud
the rights of minorites, into the depth Of
the sea. Its intamies, under the forms o
legislation, cannot he contemp lated
with and patience or allowance by those wht
appreciate and value written constitutio,
and Liberties guaranteed by law.