THE MEANING AND AMBIGUITY OF SECTION THREE OF THE FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT.

UNITED States. Constitution. 14th Amendment; REVOLUTIONS; PUBLIC officers; IMPEACHMENTS; RATIFICATION of constitutional amendments; UNITED States presidential election, 1872; BLOUNT, William, 1749-1800

The article analyzes the meaning and ambiguity of Section Three of the 14th Amendment governing the engagement of a U.S. officer in insurrection or rebellion. Topics discussed include civil office under the U.S., congressional precedent of the William Blount's case wherein the Impeachment Clause made reference to civil officers of the U.S., framing and ratification of Section Three, the U.S. presidency and the Electors Clause, the 1867 Reconstruction Acts and 1872 election.