Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-07-28

resolution stating that if this step were
taken there would be no retreat, and the
men who furnished brains t. the rebellion
and had held the Offices under 1t would
come here and assume the responsibilities Of
American Legislators. He could not and
would not till his dying day vote for such
man. Hsrr.
Mr.. TAYLOR, of Tennessee, followed in
support Of the joint resolution, asserting
that there was not within this House, or
within the United States, man who could
present clearer record of devotion to the
country that Judge Patterson
Mr.. STOKES, Of Tennessee, opposed the
Joint resolution, declaring that he regarded
the test Oath as the salvation of the Union
men of the South and of the North, and he
would rather freeze in his chair than have
the test oa!h repealed. (Applsuse on the
floor and galleries. He could not vote for
the resolution. He did not think Congress
should modify any part Of the test oath it
Mr.. Patterson could not take the whole
cath.
Mr.. BIDRGDGE asked the gentlemen
from Tennessee if he would allow him TO
send to the Clerks desk and have read
letter purporting TO have been written by
the gentleman himself.
Mr.. STOKES consented a..
Mr.. ELDRIDGE thereupOn sent to the
clerks desk and had read a letter from Mr..
Stokes to Mr. John Duncan, of Nc Nina vile,
Tenn, dated Liberty, March l0sh, 1861, in
which the following passage occurs:
d" l had been Jealous advocate for the
Union up to the time Of Lineoln's call for
5,e90 thousand troops. That being in viO-
lation Of law and for the subjugation Of the
South, commended Governor Harris for
his course, and for arming the State and re-
sisting Lincoln at the point of the bayonet,
and have enrolled my name as volunteer
to resist his usurpatiOn. l have in Congress
and out, opposed coersion, and opposed all
forced measures, believing that it was better
to recognize the independence of the South
ern Confedracy than to attempt to cOeree
them back. l am now for standing by the
Border States. l am opposed 10 being
packed into the Southern COnfedracy at
present, except as military league. l shall
now march forward to the discharge OF my
duty in resisting Lincoln regardless of
false charges" .....
Mr.. STOKES admitted that that was
genuine letter, every word Of it was written
by him. t
Mr.. ELDRIDGE would then like to know
how the gentlemen in the face Of that let
ter could take the oath he took, and sug-
gested whether it would not be better for
him in order that he might take the vote
without violation of conscience for Congress
to modify the test oath. Laughter and
applause in the galleries.l
j.. The SPEAKER directed the Assistant
Door Keeper to remove from the galleries
all persons who made manifestations Of
disapprobation-
Mr.. ELnRIDGE remarked that he would
be very well satisfied to have the order en-
forced, although he had often had to sub
nit to that sort of thing.
The SPEAKER informed the gentleman
that the Chair had always, on the gentle-
mans rising to question of order, enforced
the rule.
Bfr. ELDRLDGE remarked that the Chair
had not some time ago. repeated laugh
ter an the hoor-)
The SPEAKER said it was impossible for
a presiding officer to restrain members
from laughing. ..
Mr.. STOKES declared while he admitted
he was wrong when he wrote that letter,
there was not a word in it in favor Of seces-
sion or separation He went on to rehearse
rather discursively the events of 1861, in
which he took part, ending with his being
commissioned as q colonel by President
Lincoln. He declared solemnly in conelu-
sion that he would never vote to repeal or
modify the test oath in any par ocular. He
would MAINTAIN II as namlng SWORD 10
guard, shield and protect the loyal men of
the South.
Mr.. CoNKLING opposed the joint reso-
luton. He moved to lay the JOINT resolu-
tion on the table.
The vote was taken and resulted in yeas
SIS, nays 81, SO the resolution was laid on
the table, the Democrats generally voting
in the negative.
Mr.. LAWRENCE, of Ohio introduced a
resolution instructing the Judiciary Com
mittee 10 inquire and report whether the
rights of the people peaeeably to assemble
and consult fOr their own good have been
jnterfered with in the city of Washington,
and if SO what legislation IS necessary TO
protect the people in the enjoyment Of all
their rights, including the right 10 discuss
the condition of Ireland, and the duties OF
American citizens in relation thereto.
Adopted.
The House proceeded at 1920 a. m, to the
business on the Speakers table and dis
posed thereof as follows:
The Senate bill for the admission Of the
State of Nebraska into the Union, came up.