[1] The primary purpose of this provision was to exclude from public office those who in the Civil War, by entering the service of the Confederate States, broke an oath previously taken. Though the persons whom it was immediately intended to affect will soon all be "with the silent majority," the provision, by being made part of the constitution, will remain a warning to all in the future.
[2] The disabilities have been removed from all but a few of those immediately referred to. This clause seems to put another limitation upon the power of the president to grant pardons. From 1862 to 1867 the president had been specially authorized by congress to grant amnesty to political offenders. And in 1867 President Johnson continued to grant such amnesty, denying the power of congress to put any limitation upon the president's pardoning power. But this provision specifically places the power to relieve certain disabilities in the hands of congress. The "two-thirds" vote is required in order that such disabilities may not be easily removed.
SECTION IV.—PUBLIC DEBT.
The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for the payment of pensions, and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any state shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave, but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.
Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.
This section needs little comment. It means simply that any expense incurred on the part of government in suppressing rebellion shall be paid; and that debts incurred in aid of rebellion shall not be paid. It applies not only to the late Civil War but to all future wars of the same kind.
ARTICLE XV.
SUFFRAGE.
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States, or by any state, on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.