Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1866-08-03

So far, then, the political existence of the
States and their relations to the Federal Gov
eminent had fully and completely recognized
and acknowledged by the Executive Depart
ment Of the Government, and the completion
of the work of restoration, which had pro-
crossed so favorably, was submitted to Con-
gress, upon which devolved all questions per-
tanning to the admission to their seats of the
Senators and Representatives chosen from
the States whose people had engaged in the
rebellion
All these steps had been taken, when, on
the 18th day Of December, 1865, the Thirty
ninth Congress assembled. Nearly eight
months have elapsed since that time, and no
other plan of restoration having been propo-
sed by Congress for the measures instituted
by the Executive, it is now declared in the
joint resolution submitted for my approval
:. that the State of Tennessee is hereby re-
stored to her former proper practical rela-
tons to the Union, and again entitled to be
represented by Senators and Representatives
in Congress" Thus after the lapse of near
ly eight months, Congress proposes to pave
the way to the admission and to representa-
ton of one of the eleven States whose people
arrayed themselves in rebellion against the
constituted authority of the Federal Govern
| ment.
Earnestly desiring to remove every cause
Of further delay, whether real and magma
ry, on the part Of Congress, to the admission
to seats of loyal Senators and Representatives
from the State of Tennessee, have. notWith-
standing the anomalous character Of the pro-
ceedings, affixed my signature to the resolu-
ton. My approval, however, is not to be
construed as an acknowledgment Of the right
Of Congress to pass laws preliminary to the
admission of duly qualified representatives
from any of the States. Neither is it to be
considered as committing me to all the state
ments made in the preamble, some of which
are, in my opinion, without foundation in
fact, especially the assertion that the State OF
Tennessee has ratified the amendment to the
Constitution of the United States proposed
by the Thirty ninth Congress. No official
notice of such ratification has been received
by the Executive or filed in the Department
of State on the contrary, unofficial inforna-
ton from most reliable sources induces the
belief that the amendment has not yet been
constitutionally sanctioned by the Legislature
Of Tennessee. The right Of each House,
under the Constitution, to Judge Of the cleo
tons, returns, and qualifications Of its own
members is undoubted, and my approval OF
disapproval Of the resolution could not in the
| slightest degree increase or diminish the au-
thority in this respect conferred upon the two
branches Of Congress.
In conclusion, [ cannot too earnestly re-
peat my recommendation for the admission
Of Tennessee and all other States to fair
and equal participation in national legislation
when they present themselves in the persons
Of loyal Senators and Representatives who
can comply with all the requirements Of the
Constitution and the laws. By this means
harmony and reconciliation will be effected
the practical relations of all the States to tht
Federal Government re-established, and tht
work of restoration inaugurated upon The
termination of the war successfully compile
ted.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
WASHINGTON, D. c., July "a, 1866.