The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1869-12-16
REMoyAL OF POLITICAL DISABILITIES.

In addition to the bill which passed Congress
the other day, relieving the political disabilities of
over ave hundred, citizens of the South Mr..
STfpHENsoN; Radical member of Congress from
Ohio, has introduced bill proposing to remove
entirely the political disabilities imposed by the
third section of the Fourteenth Amendment. We
give the fulltext of the bill introduced. 1t will
be observed that there is still condition prece-
dent annexed to-the proposed general amnesty.
It will be further observed that this condition. is
one which the people of a State may comply with,
in good faith, and yet be deprived of the benefits
suggested by the bill ITSELF. This condition isthe
ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment. (guaran-
teeing universal suffrage, bya sufficient number Of
States to secure its adoption and until this ralh-
cation takes place, the amnesty would not follow,
even if Congress passes the present bill. For in
stance, the Legislature of this State has already
ratified the Fifteenth Amendment, and there is
not the ghost Of chance that such ratification
will be withdrawn; and yet under the provisions
of this bill, such action secures no relief to dis.
qualified persons in South Carolina until the peo-
pie of other States, over whom they have no con-
troll, take the same action, through their Legsla-
lures It would be far BETTER. as o measure OF
pacifcation, that general amnesty shehld be pro-
claimed regardless of other considerations; but
there is too much pressure brought to bear on
Congress at this time concerning the condition
of Georgia, and other Kindred subjects, for any
display of magnanmity to be expected from the
Radical members.
For the information of persons seeking to have
their political disabilities removed, we would sug-
gest that they be not deferred by this contemplated
action af Congress. And further that it is neces.
sary in sending petitions for su ch relief that they
shall be accompanied by the sworn statement Of
the petitioner, setting forth the reasons upor
which he asks to be relieved.
The following is the bill introduced by the mem
ber from Ohio: -, .,4
Be IL enacted, That upon the ratification of the
proposed fifteenth article of amendment to the
Constitution of the United States by the Legisla
lures of three fourths of the States oil legal and
political disabilities imposed by the fourteenth ar
ticle OF amendment to the Constitution of the Uni
ted States, shall by operation hereof be removed
from all persons subject thereto, who. shall have
been at the date of said vote, citizens and actua
residents of any State, the Legislature of which
shall have voted to ratify said fifteenth article o
amendment provided, however, the provision
hereof shall not apply to any person who shal
have been indicted for any crime committed in OF
in aid of the late rebellion, or to any person who
during said rebellion was guilty of cruelty or in
humanity to any prisoner Of war held, or offering
to surrender as such, nor to any person who aided
abetted or countenanced the assassination Of Abra
ham Lincoln. -. t-ef''Si'f .4A. ~