7. As to disfranchisement arising from having held office followed by
participation in rebellion:
This is the most important part of the oath, and requires strict
attention to arrive at its meaning. The applicant must swear or affirm
as follows:
"That I have never been a member of any State legislature, nor held any
executive or judicial office in any State, and afterwards engaged in an
insurrection or rebellion against the United States or given aid or
comfort to the enemies thereof; that I have never taken an oath as a
member of Congress of the United States, or as an officer of the United
States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or
judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United
States, and afterwards engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the
United States or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof."
Two elements must concur in order to disqualify a person under these
clauses: First, the office and official oath to support the Constitution
of the United States; second, engaging afterwards in rebellion.
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