The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1866-08-01
MESS AGE OF THE PRESIDENT.

MESS AGE OF THE PRESIDENT.
The President, on Tuesday the s4th ultino, ssnt
the following message to the Houss Of Representa-.
tives:
To fe HOs~ Of Representatives.
The following "jsint resolution restor-
ing Tennessee to her relations to the
Union" was last evening presented for my
approval:
Wheieas. in the year 1861, the govern
nent OF the State of Tennessee was seized
upen and takeu possession Of BY persons in
hostility to the Uuited States, and the in
habitants Of said State. in pursuance Of an
act Of Congress. we're declared to be in q
state Of insurrection against the Uuited
States; and whereas said State government
can only be restored to its former political
relations in the Union by the consent OF ths
making power Of the United States:
and whereas the people Of SAID State did.
on the 2sd OF February. 1865, by large
popular vote. adopt and ratlfy a aconsti.uiion
Of government, whereby slavery was a.
polished, and the ordinances aud laws Of
secession, aud debts contracted under the
same. we're declared null and void and
whereas State government has been or
ganixed under said constitution, which has
ratified the amendment to tne Consultation
Of the United States abolishlng slavery,
also the amendments proposed by the
Thirty. ninth ongress and has done other
acts proclaimlng and denoting loyalty:
Therefore, be il.
Resolved by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled, That the
State OF Tennessee is hereby restored to
her former proper practical relations to the
Union, aud is again entitled to be repres-
ented by Senators aud Representatives in
Congress.
The preamble simply consists of state
meats, some Of which are assumed, while
the resolution is merely q declaration Of
opinion. 1, comprises no legislation. nor
does il confer any power which is binding
upon the respective Houses, the Executive.
or the States. II does not sdmit 10 their
seats in Congress the Senators and Rep.
resentatives from the State of Tennessee;
for. Notwithstanding the passage Of the
resolution, each House, in the exercise Of
the constitutional right to judge for itself
Of the elections, returns. and qualifications
OF its members, may, at its discretion, ad-
nit them, or continue to exclude them. IL
Joint resolution OF this character were
necessary and binding as condition pre-
cedent to the admission OF members of
Congress. il would happen. in the event Of
a veto by the Executive, that Senators and
Representative could only be admitted to
the halls Of Legislation by two thirds vote
of each Of the two Houses.
Among other reasons recited in the pre-
amble for the declarations contained in the
resolution 10 the ratification, by the State
government Of Tennessee. Of " the amend
ment to the Constitution of the United
States abolishing slavery, and also the
amendment proposed BY the Thirty ninth
Congress" If, as is. also declared in the
preamble. said State government can only
be restored to its former political relations
in the Union by the consent Of the law.
making power Of the United States" il
would really seem TO follow that the join
resolution which at this late day has re.
cei,ed the sanction Of Congress should
have been passed, approved, and placed on
the statute books before any amendment e
the Constitution was submitted to the Leg.
islature Of Tennessee for ratification. OH.
ervise. the inference is plainly deducible
that while. in the opinion Of Congress. chs
, people Of State may be too strongly dis
loyal to be entitled 10 representation, they
may. nevertheless. during the suspen slor
Of their |" former proper practical relationi
TO the Union" have an equally potent voice
, with other and loyal States in propositions
/: TO amend the Constitution. upon which ss
{ essentially depend the stability. prosperi'
b ty. and very existence Of the nation.
A brief reference to my annual messsg,
t.F = A.. IL AZ