Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-09
Messrs. Morrill, of Vermont, Dawson of Peur-
sylvania. and Smith of Kentucky. end Fincke of

authority IN these cOuncil-halls. rejoicing that
from shore to shore in our land there peace Its
duties are as obvious rs the suns pathway in the
heavens. Representing in its two branches the
States and the People its first and highest obga-
form of government. The Rebellion having over
thrown the constitutional State Governments in
any State it i yours to maturc.aI enact legi
lation which with the concurrence of such las s
OF enduring justice will guarantee all necessary
safeguards to the people, and TO afford what our
magma charta, the Declaration Of Independence
proclaims is the chief Object of Government pro
lection to all men in their unalienable rights
LApplause.l The world should witness in this
great work the most in1eXible fidelity, the most
earnest devotion to the principles of liboty
and humanity, the truest patriotism and
the wisest craftsmanship. Men by the hundreds
of thousands have died that the Republic might
live. The emblems of mourning have darkened
the White House and the cabin alike. But the
fires of civil war have melted every fetter in the
land and proved the funeral pyrc of Slavery. 1t
is for you representatives to do your work as
faithfully and well as did the fearless sayiors of
the Union on their more dangerous arenas of duty.
Then we may hope to see the vacant and once
abandoned seats around US gradually filling up,
until this Hall shall contain Representatives from
evcrr State and district, their hearts devoted to
the Union for which they are to legslatc, jealous
of its honor proud of its glory, watchful of its
rights and hostile to its enemies: and the stars
our banner that palcd when the States they repre-
scented arrayed themselves in arms against the ma
ton, will shine with more brilliant light of
loyalty thao ever before. Applause Invoking
the guidance of Him who holds the destiny of ma
tions in the hollow of His hand, l enter again
upon the duties Of this trying position, with a
heart filled with gratitude to you for the unusual
ly flattering manner in which it has been bestowed
and cheered by the hope that it betokens your
cordial support and assistance in all its grave re-
sponsibilities. | am now ready to take the oath
of office prescribed by law.
THE OATH ADMINISTERED.
Mr.. Washburne CID the oldest consecutive
member of the House, then administered the oath
of office to the Speaker, and the latter then ad
ministered the same oath to the members, who
presented themselves by delegations for that pur-
pose.
OTHER OFFICERS CHOSEN.
Mr. Wilson Qowa) asked leave to offer the fol-
lowing resolution:
That the persons herein named are hereby de-
carCd officers Of the House of Representatives for
the thirty-ninth Congress- and until their success
sOrS be duly elected viz Edward Mcpherson, of
Pennsylvania, Clerk; n. G. Ordway, Sergeant-at-
Arms; Ira Goodenow, Doorkecpcr, and Josiah
Gwin, Postmaster.
Objections coming from the Democratic side,
Mr.. Wilson moved a susp9 nsion of the rules.
Mr.. Randall PENN desired to say some on his
side wished to vote for candidates not named in
thatresolution. He therefore asked leave to offer
another list.
Mr. Wilson declined to yield the floor.
Mr.. Randall unsuccessfuly moved that the res
olutiOn lie upon the table when the question hav
ing been taken the resolution was agreed to by a
vote of l3S cas- against 80 Nays.
The affirmative vote was the same as that given
for Mr.. C0ifax except that Mr.. Baker on the last
occasion did not vote.
The respective officers thus declared elected by
resolution were then sworn into office.
RULES ADOPTED.
On motion of Mr. Washburne Illinois) the
Rules of the House of the Thirty eight Congress
were adopted as the rules of the present House
until otherwise ordered
Mr.. Washburne also offered a resolution, which
agreed to, that a committee of five, consist
ing of the Speaker and four members named by
him, be appointed to whom shall be referred the
rules of the House, with power to report at any
time such amendments as shall be deemed proper.
READY FOR BUSINESS.
90 motion of Mr.. Washburne it was ordered
that message be sent to the Senate informing
tiem that quorum of the House have assem-
bled, have elected the Hon. Schuyler Cofax
Speaker, and now ready to proceed to busi-
ness.
1t was also resolved, on motion of Mr.. Wash
bume that committee of three be appointed by
tle House to join such n committee on the part
Of Tie Senate to wait on the President. and in
form him that quorum of both Houses have as
Sembed and are now ready 10 receive any COM
munication he may be pleased to make.
The Speaker appointed as the Committee on
the part of the House, Messrs. Washbune Qn.),
Brooks, and Kelley
ALABAMA AND THE AMENDMENT.
Mr.. Washburne sent up the following to the
ClerA's table which was read:
" MONTGOMERY, Ala, Dec !, 1865.
To Hon. WILLIAM ii. SEWARD:-Ihc Amend
ment is adopted by an overwhelming vote. | will
send you an authenticated copy at an early day.
Please see that Alabama is announced the
twenty-seventh State. l.. i. Parsons
Applause followed the reading of this dispatch.
SOUTHERN REPRESENTATIVES,.
Mr. Stevens offered the following joint resolu-
ton.
Resolosd. (by the Senate and House of Repre-
scntativCs in Congress aSsOmb!ed), That joint
committee OF fifteen shall be appointed, nine of
whom shall be members of the House and six of
the Senate, who shall inquire into the condition of
the States which formed the O-caled Confederate
States Of America. aGd report whether they or any
of them are entitled to be represented in either
House of Congress, with leave to report at any
time by bill or otherwise and until such report
shall have been made and finally acted upon by
Congress, no member shall he received in the
House from any ofthe SO-calcd Confederate States,
and all papers relating to the representatives Of
the said States shall be referred to the said COM
mlttce.
Mr.. Eldridge (Ws) objected to the introduction
Of the resolution. When
Mi. Stephens moved II suspension OF the rules;
and this question was determined in the atlirma-
tive by l29 against s.
Mr., Dawson asked for p0stpOnement of the
resolution TIL after tins week.
CITIZENS OF LATELY REBELLIoUs STATES.
Mr.. Sumner introduced series of resolutions
declartOry OF the duty of Congress, especially in
respect to the loyal citizens OF the States lately in
rebellion.
COND TTIoNs FOR THE RECONSTRUCTED.
Mr. Sumner introduced the following:
Rcsotred, That in Ordcr to provide proper guar
aatees for security IN the future, that peace and
prosperity shall surely prevail and the pllghted
faith of the nation shall be preserved, it Is the full
duty of Congress to take care that no State de-
clarcd to be in rebellion shall allowed to resume
Its relation to the Union until utter the satiSactc
~ performance OF five several conditions, which
conditions precedent must be submitted 10 a pop
ular vote and be sanctioned by majority of the
people Of each state respectively. as follows:
The complete re-establlshmcnt of loyalty rs
shown by an honest recognition of the unity of the
Republic, and the duty of allegiance to II at all
times without mental reservation or equivocatiOn
of any kind.
The complete suppression of all oligarchicaI pre-
tensions, and the complete eniranchisem ent of all
citizens, that there shall be no denial Of rights
on account Of color or race, but justice shall be
impartial, and all shall bo equal before be law
:. The rejection of the Rebel debt, and at the same
time the adoption in Just proportion of the Ma
tional debt and the National obligations to Union
soldiers, with solemn pledges never to join in any
measure, direct or indirect for their reputation,
or m any way tending to impair the National
credit.
The organization of an educational system for
the equal benefit of all, without distinction Of
The choice of citizens for office, whether State
or National, Of constant and Undoubted loyalty,
whose conduct and conversation shall give aSsur-
ance of peace and reconciliation.
Res0tred, That, in order to provide these eS-
sental safeguards, without which the National
faith will be imperied, States cannot be pTecIpI
lated back to political power and Independence,
all respects fulfilled.
WESTERN BILLS.
Mr.. Brown gave notice of bill to authorize
the construction of bridge across the Mississippi
River at st. Louis; also, a bill 10 reimburse the
state of Missouri for expenses in calling out and
equpping militia, &c.
DAILY SESSIONS.
Mr.. Foot moved the adoption of an order that
the Senate meet every day at II O'Clock, which
was carried.
FREEDOM FOR SOUTHERNERs.
Mr.. Wilson introduced bill to maintain the
freedom of the inhabitants of the States declared
to be in Instruction, which was ordered TO be
printed.
ADJOURNMENT.
At 1913 o'clock the Senate took a recess until l,
when it Tcassembled and directed the Secretary
to inform the House of its organization.
Adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPR ESENTATIVES.
CALLING The ROLL.
Mr. Mcpherson, the Clerk of the late House, an
nOunced at noon: The hour having arrived for tn
meeting of the House of Representatives of the
Thirty-ninth Congress- the Clerk of the late House
will proceed, required by law, TO read by States
the roll Of members elect. Gentlemen are request
cd 20 respond to their names.
TENNESSEE
When the State of Tennessee was reached Mr..
MAYNARD Of that State, holding il his hand a pa
per desired to make n remark, but the Clerk OBJ
jected. saying there could be no interruption Of
the call.
Mr. Mayuard-Does 4Lc Clerk decline?