The Van Buren press., 1870-10-11
VAN BUREN, ARK, OCTOBER II, 1870.

polls with an affidavit Of the facts to re-
ceve his vote. This section, unlike the
two preceding sections. which inhibit
discrimination against the coiored citi-
zen on account Of race, color or previous
condition of servitude, makes no exccp-
ton or qualification whatever. 1t must,
however, be construed in connection with
them, "in pari maferia,' and by this
means we ascertain beyond all question
what is the meaning Of the preceding sec
tions, and when SO ascertained, it must
govern the construction of them. Adopt
ing this rule of construction, the third
section clearly qualities the two first sec
tions, and indicates their meaning, by de-
claring "that all persons who offer to
perform or do perform the necessary pre-
requisite to qualify or entitle them 10 ex.
ercise the right of suffrage shall voto,up-
on presenting themselves with the atiida-
Wit required by the law" Its provisions
are mandatory, constituting those who
offer to vote under it the sole judge of
their right to do SO, leaving the officers
who are ministerial, and in no wise ju
dicial, the exercise Of no discretion what
ever.
Being comprehensive in its terms, it
embraces all classes of citizens, preserv.
ing alike the rights of all, and furnishing
like remedy for all in assertion oftheir
rights, by imposing severe penalties for
an omission or refusal to comply with
its provisions. The 4th, 9th, 9th and 7th
sections are in harmony with the preced.
ing sections, furnishing additional safe
guards and remedies to the citizen by
furnishing all, "who oppose by any un-
lawful means his registration, or the ex
ercise of the right Of suffrage, or who
band or conspire against him, to prevent
him from the exercise of all his rights
and privileges, granted or secured to him
by the Constitution and laws OF the Uni
ted States" deem 1t unnecessary to
call your attention at this time to any
other provisions of this act. except to
the 10Th and Goth sections, which have
for their object IS ] have heretofore in.
dicated, the preservation Of the integrity
and purity of elections, and the punish
ment Of all unlawful interference with
them. by securing proper registration
Of voters, as well IS protecting the voter
in freely exercising the right OF suffrage,
at any election for representatives or del
egates to the Congress Of the United
States, which by the laws are to take
place at the ensuing election. The nine
teenth section secures to any qualified
voter OF the State the free exercise Of the
right of suffrage and inhihis the Gem
mission Of number Of offences, amongst
which is illegal voting, and the interfer-
ence in any manner with any officer OF
said elections in the discharge Of his du.
ties. The goth section seems to be some
what confused. think by some means.
some two or three lines in relation to
voting, have been interpolated into it un-
noticed and which / do not regard as
german to its leading object. 1t is evi.
dent that the whole scope OF this section
was intended to be confined to tho sub
ject of registration. 1t provides for the
punishment Of any person who "shall
kno wingly personate and register, or at
tempt to register in the name of another
person, or who shall frauduently regis
ter or attempt to register, or do any un-
lawful act to secure the same for himself
or another person, or who shall prevent
any person by unlawful means from duly
exercising the right Of registration, or
who shall induce any officer OF registra-
ton, by any unlawful means know.
ingly and wilfully to register one not en-
titled TO it, or knowingly and wilfully to
refuse to register one entitled to 1t, or
shall aid, counsel or advise any voter or
officer to do, or omit any act" the CON-
mission or omission of which is inhibi-
ted by this section. A careful examina-
ton Of the 10th section must satisfy
every one that its main object is to pro-
tect EVERY QUALIFIED VOTER in the exer-
else OF the right OF suffrage, whilst 1t is
just as clear that the chief purpose Of the
2Oth section is TO secure to ALL QUALI-
FLED VOTERS the right of registration, as
well as to punish fraudulent registration.
1t also secures protection to oil officers
Of registration in the legal discharge of
their duties by furnishing all persons who
unlawfully interfere in any manner with
them. 1t is obvious that Congress, by
the passage Of this act, intended to enter
the States for the purpose Of maintain
ing, as near as possible, the purity Of
elections, in securing to EVERY QUALIFIED
VOTER under the law Of the State, the
right to register, when the same is quail
idcation to voting as also the free exer-
else Of the right OF suffrage. This act
does not repeal or interfere with the laws
as they exist in the States, unless they
are in conflict with its plain provisions,
and then only so far as such conflicts cx-
lists. II is remedial in its character, and
is supposed to be In harmony with the
laws of the State, intended however to
furnish full and adequate protection to
ALL QUALIFIED VOTERS, when the State
laws are inadequate, by ENFORCING THEIR
RIGHT TO VOTE. 1t is, therefore, the duty
of all officers under it to enforce its pro
visions firmly, exercising however the
greatest caution and prudence. inasmuch
as they may be called on to deal with Of
Gcers executing laws under the authority
Of the State.
They should be fully satisfied that the
case OF an applicant is mertorious, and
not frivolous. Upon the hearing of any
case, il they have any doubt as to the
commission of an offence under the law,
they should discharge the party. Atthe
same time the State officers should re-
member that the Constitution and laws
4