Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1866-03-21

men; there is no man in Congress wh(
will not rejoice and thank God that they
are in a condition in which we 0h receive
them into the brotherhood of States.
l know what | say when l declare tc
you that it is matter of deep regret tc
all in Congress that we have had 10 keer
out of Congress, as long as we have men
like Horace Maynard, of Tennessee, Zap
plausel like Stokes, of Tennessee, and
like some of the men from Arkansas =
Why, there were some of them who have
been in the Union army. Stokes, of
Tennessee, formerly a member of Con-
gress from that State, raised regiment
of loyal Tennesseeans he united with
the Union army, and he fought the re-
bels from the beginning of the war to
its close. He was elected to Congress,
came on to Washington, and do you not
suppose it was matter of deep regret
that before admitting him we have to in
quire into that organization to see wheth-
er it can sustain itself? Why, sir, he
will be admitted at once if the evidence
IS such as to justify US, as 1 hope it will
be, in recognizing the organization in
Tennessee. And what do mean by that?
l mean that if the organization has sufi-
cient basis so that the moment we recog-
nize it, it will not he overthrow by re-
bells. Applause. We do not want that,
and Colonel Stokes does not want that.
He does not want to take his seat in Con-
gress until Tennessee is in a condition to
maintain her loyalty.
When States are recognized as in full
communion with the Union, what be-
comes of your martial law ? Can the Pres.
ident of the United States, when peace
is restored-when all these States, in the
language of Secretary Seward, are in per-
feet harmony with the National Consti.
tuition, and in recognized co operation
with the Federal Goyerment-set aside
the civil courts, declare martial law and
continue military authority? If he can
not, what will be the condition of these
States if they are not in the hands of 10y
al men They will go into the hands of
traitors, and loyal men will be persecu-
ted and driven out We do not mean
that. Congress does not mean it. Too
many sacrifices have been made, too
much money has been spent, too many
lives have been lost in putting down these
armed traitors. to suffer them now to dis
arm US, take possession of the State Gov
ernments, persecute and drive out the
loyal men. Cheers.
Here is the policy of Congress. 1 have
indicated it to you. 1t is not to keep out
any eleven States. 1t is to admit them,
every one, as soon as soon as it can be
safely done. Congress is the judge of
such organizations under the Constitu-
tion. and nobody else. Applause
Why, these denunciations of Congress
is making no war upon the President;
no war upon the Presidents policy. We
do not complain that he took the initia-
tive and assisted in setting up these State
What we want to ascer-
tain is whether they contain sufficient
loyalty to maintain their position as 10y
al States. Does he want any State ad-
mitted before that?
In my judgment, fellow citizens, we
shall get through this difficulty, and we
shall come triumphantly through it,
These States will all be in harmonious re- /
ations-not to-day, nor to morrow, nor
he next day-not as was prophesied by 4
he same distinguished individual in re-
,ard to the fall of the rebellion, not in /
ixty days, not perhaps in ninety days
laughter and cheers but before very
ong. l doubt not before the adjournment
# this Congress, we shall have some of
hese States in harmonious relations with
he Government. hope they will be all
t will be all, if in the opinion of your
ii can be done with safe
2 TO the Republic. But, if in their
pinion it cannot be done with safety to
he Republic, l know you do not want
done. lCries Of ''No, no we do not."]