The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-07-25
The Case OF Tennessee-Its Bearings and
Results.
From the Times.


There are proverbs which teach us to accept
good things for what they are worth, instead of
scrutinizing too closely the motives in which
they originate and the drawbacks by which they
are attended. On this ground, perhaps, we
ought to be thankful for the action OF Congress
in the case OF Tennessee, without grumbling
because of its tardiness, or demurring because
it finally comes in a shape other than that which
we would have dictated. The members of the
Gradgrind family may insist that there is no
necessity for travelling beyond the fact-the fact
that in the closing hours of the session Senators
aid Representatives are admitted, whose consti-
tutional right to admission was as valid seven
months ago as it IS to-day. The charitaby
disposed may further suggest that ON the
principle affirmed in the Good Book, we are
bound to accord full credit to the eleVenth-hour
repentance OF the sinners whom it has been our
painful duty again and again 10 chastise. And
| yet, aside from these considerations, it can
| hardly be amss to glance at the processes which
| preceded this late though proper action, and
| the position in which il leaves many OF the
| most pertinacious assallants OF the Presidents
policy.
One notable point has been gained. What
| ever else may be open 10 controversy, the
! theory of State sulcide-ot the provincial re-
iatlons ofthe States lately in rebellion-has now
been demolished. A decisive majority of the
| Union party have affirmed, III effect, tnat Ten
nessee has not been out of the Union, is IN
the Union now, irrespective OF any enabling
Legislation by Congress- and what is true in
respect OF Tennessee is equally true OF all
other southern States. The case OF one is, TO
this extent, the case OF all. The authority
exercised by the one pertains constitutonally
to the others. They may ratlfy the amend
ment or they may reject it: but at least the
reference 10 them implied their existence as
States, and not as Territories. The subiugation
doctrine, then, the most ultra Of all the ultra
isms which radical philosophy has invented
since the war, is abandoned IN the house of its
, friends. Men may talk about il when they have
nothing better TO fall back upon but for all
practical purposes it has disappeared from the
held of politics.
True, the preamble eventually agreed to nv
, both houses declares that Tennessee lean onl Y
' be restored TO its former political relations in
1 the Union by the consent OF the laW-maling
:, power of the United states !" and, of course,
: the same reservation applies to the other States
!, But the words Of a preamble cannot alter the
: essential conditions of the case. They who have
a for months opposed the admission OF Tennessee
q may be pardoned for their desire to save wha
a remains of their consistency they may derive
. consolation from the repetition of form o
. taSth which they have at length superseded by
= more ,heTal works. But the fact remains tina
. Tennessee has done nothing now beyond eXercls
. | inc noWer vested in it as q State. And. beini
y | ali the time q State, as the reference lOglcal
? implies its constitutional relations to the Unlo
- | were as sound, as comprehensive, as just
~ betore the ratification of the amendment a
. after the transmitting OF BIownlOw's diseracetu
a. | despatch. The difference IS IN Congress- not 1
% the constitutional portion OF the State. "
"a right TO representation, abstracuy considered
r. was as good prior 70 the recent proceedings