The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-08-02
The ADMISSION OF TENNESSEE
-aessG9e Of Tie President.

lowing message 10 the House of Renre-
sentatiVes:
10 me HoHse Of Representatives.:
The following "joint resolution re-
storing Tennessee to her relations to the
ohlon9 was last evening presented for
my approval:
Whereas, in the year 1861, the govern
iaeht or the State of Tennessee was
seized upon and taken possession OF bv
persons in hostility to the United States.
ana the inhabitants Of said State. in
pursuance of an act of Congress. were
declared to be in a state of insurrecfi0n
against the United States; and whereas
sad State government can only be re-
stored to its former political relations in
the Union by the consent of the law
making power of the United States
and whereas the people of said State
did, on the 22d of February, 1868, by a
large popular vote, adopt and ratity a
constitution OF government, whereby
slavery was abolished, and the ordi-
names and laws of secession, and debts
contracted under the same, were de-
clared null and void; and whereas a
state government has been organized
under said constitution, which has rati-
tied the amendment to the Constitution
OF the United States abolishing slavery,
also the amendment proposed by the
1hlfty-hlnth Congress, and has done
other acts proclaiming and denoting
loyalty: Therefore, be it
Resolred, jy the Senate and House of
Representatives. Of the United States OF
Americo IN Congress assembled, That the
State of Tennessee is hereby restored to
her former proper practical relations to
the Union, and is again entitled to be
represented by Senators and Represent
atives i'll Congress.
The preamble simply consists OF state
ments, some Of which are assumed,
while the resolution is a mere decla-
ration of opinion. 1t comprises no legis-
lation, nor does it confer any power
which is binding upon the respective
Houses, the Executive, or the States. 1t
does not admit to their seats in Congress
the Senators and Representatives from
the State of Tennessee; for, notwith-
standing the passage of the resolution,
each House, in the exercise of the consti-
tutional right to judge for itself of the
elections, returns, and qualifications of
its members, may lat its discretion, admit
them, or continue to exclude them. If
a joint resolution OF this character were
necessary and binding as a condition
precedent to the admission of members
Of Congress, it would happen, in the
event Of veto by the Executive, that
Senators and Representatives could only
be admitted to the halls of legislation
by Il two-thirds vote of each of the two
Houses.
Among other reasons recited in the
preamble tor the declarations contained
IN the resolution is the ratification, by
the State government of Tennessee, OF
the amendment 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" it would
really seem to follow that the joint reso-
luton which at this late day has receiv-
ed the sanction of Congress should have
been passed, approved, and placed on
the statute books before any amend
ment to the Constitution was submitted
10 the Legislature of Tennessee for rati-
tication. Otherwise, the inference is
plainly deducible, that while, in the
opinion of Congress, the people of a
State may be too strongly disloyal to be
entitled to representation, they may.
nevertheless, during the suspension OF
their former proper practical relations
to the Union" have an equally potent
voice with other and loyal States in
propositions to amend the Constitution,
upon which so essentially depend the
stability, prosperity, and ve-y existence
of the nation.
A brief reference in my annual mes.
sage of the 4th of December last Will
show the steps taken by the Executive
for the restoration to their constitutional
relations to the Union of the States that
had been affected by the rebellion. Upon
the cessation of active hostilities Fro
visional Governors were appointed, Con,
| yentions called, and Governors elected
by the people, Legislatures assembled,
and Senators and Representatives chosen
to the Congress of the United States.
At the same time the courts OF the
UnHed States were reopened, the block
ade removed, the custom-houses re-es-
t tab and postal relations resumed.
The amendment to the Constitution
ohoIishinp slavery within the limits OF