New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-07-21
TENNESSEE IN THE UNION.

In the admission of Tennessee Congress has given
proof Of its sincere desire to restore their forfeited
privileges TO the Rebel States the moment it is con-
yinced Of their loyalty. This fact siences countless
ISLANDERS. Because of its Steadfast determination
TO admit no representatives from Southern
States which refused to comply with the very moder
ate conditions imposed by the loyal people, Congress
has been persistently accused of desire TO prevent
the restoration of the Union. Those who have
affirmed the falsehood. who have declared that the
Rebel States, by the mere act OF laying down their
arms, resumed all the legal rights they repudiated
when they rebelled, responsible for all our
present troubles. Though Congress has not
taken the bodest and best position, its policy, had
il not been nterfered with, would long before this
have had from other Southern States the same
indorsement Tennessee has so gloriously given. One
year ago the great difficulty of reconstruction was
smplifed by the submission of Rebels to the Govern
ment; now the North is threatened with the loss OF
everything 1t fought for, solely because Northern
treachery has encouraged the South to defy and de-
spise its conqueror. The people may well be sick at
heart when thoy think of what they have lost
But the Congressional integrity has not been in
vain; some light breaks in upon this gloom. 1t has
constrained by the pure force Gifts purpose, Tenncs-
SEQ to accept the conditions it presented Constrained
we saw not that the loyal men of Tennessee were OPP
posed to the Constitutional Amendment, for they on
the contrary, held its adoption indispensable to
the honor of their State, but that q powerful
minority aided by the influence of the Rresident
of the United States, tried with every energy
TO make Tennessee stand side by side with South
Carolina All legislation stopped that the want
of a quorum might prevent action on the Amend
ment II was in vain. The resolution Of Congress
TO submit to no further compromise, and the indgna
ton Of the loyal people, have proved irresistible and
if Congress remains true TO ITSELF its moral force must
act in the end with equal success upon every South
ern State.
The prompt admission G. Tennessee is the strongest
possible assurance to the South, that Congress is
ready TO redeem its pledges. Had Mr.. Bingham's
resolution been rejected, the loyal people of Tennes
see. who so ardenty desire representation, would
have had reason TO complain of bad faith. II was
well understood that in the case Of Tennessee the
adoption of the Amendment implied admission to
Congress. That was the last proof Of her loyalty that
could fairly be required. This conviction appears to
have dsarmed tho opposition in the House, and even
Mr. Stevens, who on Thursday so stubborny used all
his parliamentary resources TO defeat the resolution
changed his mind aud voted for ii on Friday. The
twelve votes against il are merely scattering and
have no party sgnifc nce' only stern devotion to
princple; and when VT consider the ierocous oppo-
ston the Congressional plan Of reconstruction has
met we can hardly rejoice too much in this triumph
At last. one of the States that actually seeded in
1861 has been fully and honorsby restored to it, po
stion in the Union.
Thus. while every day brings new proof that the
policy Of tha President lesds to nothing but cqUpl9p