Existing comment:
Loyalty Oaths:
Test oaths were used throughout the Civil War to ensure office holders would remain loyal to the Union cause. Oaths that required both past and future loyalty were called "ironclad" oaths, such as the constitutional oath taken by Salmon P. Chase when he became Chief Justice in December 1864.
I, Salmon P. Chase having by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, been appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, do solemnly swear that I have never voluntarily borne arms against the United States since I have been a citizen thereof; that I have voluntarily given no aid, countenance, counsel, or encouragement to persons engaged in armed hostility thereto; that I have neither sought nor accepted nor attempted to exercise the functions of any office whatever under any authority or pretended authority in hostility to the United States; that I have not yielded a voluntary support to any pretended government, authority, power, or constitution, within the United States, hostile or inimical thereto. And I do further swear (or affirm) [the latter crossed out] that, to the best of my knowledge and ability, I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.
Salmon P. Chase
Sworn to and subscribed before me, this fifteenth day of December A.D., 1864.
James M. Wayne
Associate Justice, Supreme Court |