The life and public services of Abraham Lincoln ... together with his state papers, including his speeches, addresses, messages, letters, and proclamations, and the closing scenes connected with his life and death. By Henry J. Raymond. To which are added anecdotes and personal reminiscences of President Lincoln, by Frank B. Carpenter.

STATE PAPERS OP ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

597

izing the State and taking part in the approaching Presidential election. The convention met, and determined
that the election should be held. They adopted an electoral ticket, and provided for ascertaining the qualifications of voters. Among other things, they provided a
stringent oath, to be administered to registers and officers
holding,the elections, and requested Governor Johnson
to execute the resolutions which they had adopted "in
such manner as he might think would best subserve the
interests of the Government."
Governor Johnson accordingly, on the 30th of September, issued a proclamatin ition, directing that the election be
opened and held, and that at such election "all c'itizens
and soldiers, being free white men, twenty-olne yarls of
age, citizens of the United States, and for six mouths
prior to the election citizens of the State of Tennessee,
who have qualified themselves by registration, and who
take the oath prescribed" by the convention, should 1,e
entitled to vote. The oath prescribed was as follows:' I solemnly swear that I will henceforth support the Constitution of
the United States, and defend it against the assaults of all enemies: that
I am an active friend of the Government of the United States, and the
enemy of the so-called Confederate States: that I ardently desire the suppression of the present rebellion against the Government of the United
States: that I sincerely rejoice in the triumph of the armies and navies
of the United States, and in the defeat and overthrow of the armies,
navies, and of all armed combinations in the interest of the so-called Confederate States: that I will cordially oppose all armistices and negotiations for peace with rebels in arms, until the Constitution of the United
States, and all laws and proclamations made in pursuance thereof, shall
be established over all the people of every State and Territory embraced
within the National Union; and that I will heartily aid and assist the
loyal people in whatever measures may be adopted for the attainment of
these ends: and further, that I take this oath freely and voluntarily, and
without mental reservation. So help me God."
An electoral ticket in favor of General McClellan had
previously been nominated by persons not in sympathy
with the State Convention, nor with the National Administration, and these gentlemen, on the appearance of
this proclamation, drew up a protest, which they addressed