The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1866-07-28


through their conventions and Legisla
lures, had adopted and ratified thu
Constitution Of the Government where
by slavery was abolished, and all ordi-
nAnccs anli laws Of secession, and debts
contracted under the same were de
clarcl null and void. SO far, then, tht
political cXistaucc of the State anC
their relations to the Federal Govern
mcnt had been fully and completely re.
organized and acknowledged by tht
Executive Department Of the Govern
mcnt, and the completion Of the worI,
Of restoration which had progressed SO
~tnvorably was submitted to Congress
upon which deyolved all questions per
tanning to admission to their seats OF
Senators and Representatives chosei
from the States whose people hal en-
gagged in the rebellion.
All these steps had been taken when,
on the 4th day Of December, 1860, The
39th Congress assembled. Nearly
eight months haye elapsed since that
time, and 10 other plan has been pro.
posed by Congress for the measures in
situated BY the Executive. 1t is nov
declared in the joint resolution submit
ted for my approval that the State o
Tennessee is hereby restored to hen
former practical relations to the Union
and entitled to he represented by Scna,
tors and Representatives in Congress
Thus, after the lapse Of nearly eight
months, Congress proposes to pave tho
way to the admission OF the Represen
~tativcs ofone Of the eleven States who's,
people arraycd themselves in rebellion
against Constitutional authority Of the
Federal Government.
Earnestly desiring to relieve every
cause of further delay, whether real OF
imaginary, on the part Of Congress t.
the admission to Seats Of loyal Scna
tors and representatives from Tcnncs.
see, | have, Notwithstanding the ano.
malous character Of this proceeding,
affixed my signature to the resolution
my approval however, is not to be con.
strued Us al acknowledgment Of the
right Of Congress to pass laws prc!im-
mary to the admission Of duly quail
fed Representatives from amy OF the
States neither is tp be considered rs
committing me to all the statements
made in the preamble. Some, are in
my opinion, without foundation in fact;
especially the assertion that the State
OF Tennessee has ratified the amendment
to the Constitution oft!lc United States,
proposed by the Thirty-ninth Con
gress.
No official notice Of such ratification
has been received by the Executive, or
filed In the Department Of State, On
the contrary, unofficial information
from most reliable sources, induces the
belief that The amendment has not been
cOnstitntionaIly sanctioned by the Leg
i%sintufe ofTenucssGc.
The right OF each House, under the
Constitution, to judge Of the election
returns and qualifications Of its own
members is m%loubtcd, and my appro-
val or disopproval Of the resolution
could not in tAe slightest degree in
crease or diminish the authority in this
respect conferred upon thetwo branches
Of Congress.
In conclusion, | cannot too earnest
~ repeat my recommendation for the
admission Of Tennessee and all other
States to n fair and equal participation
in the National Legislature when they
present themselves in the persons OF
loyal Senators and Representatives who
can comply with all the requirements
Of the Constitution and laws. BY this
means harmony and recodciliation will
he effected, Impractical relations otall
the States TO the Federal Government
re established. aud the work Of rcsto-
ration inauguratcd upon the terlnina-
Of the War so successfully COM
ANDREW JOHNSON
Washington, ID. c., July II, 1866.