Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1866-04-11
A TENNESSEE CONGRESSMAN ON RECON
STRUCTI0N.

Colonel Stokes, loyal Tennesseeap,
who raised and commanded regiment
which did good service in the Union army,
aud who is one of the members of Con-
grsss elected by his State, has recently
been earnestly advocating the election Of
General Hawley, the Union Governor
elected in Connecticut. Iu speech de-
l;vered at Fairhaven, during the late cam
paign, he ably defended The action Of
Congress on reconstruction, as will De seen
by the following extract:
but i. is said a radical Congress will
not admit Union men of the South.
am one Of those men, and an applicant
| for seat in Congress. l believe when
the proper time comes Congress will do its
duty in regard to Tennessee and any 9TH
er State that takes the same position.
Why is it not done now? We have had
war for four or five years. You cannot
expect Congress to heal all these differ
ences in few days. 1t was their duty
to examine the condition of the govern
ment Of those States, to examine their
constitutions and laws, and when their
loyal government is properly established
to recognize it, and then one point is set
tied. After that comes the question a, to
the qualification of members. Congress
had right to prescribe test oath, and |
say here that uouid SIT in my seat until
l Jroze 10 death betore IacouN erer rote
TO repeal that oath until tie Southern
Peopte and hieir papers shop a different
tone towards tie Union men of lie South
Now the President has said himself that
Congress must declare the State govern
meut properly established before it can
become valid. Why. then, are these States
not admitted? Because they have not
complied with the Presidents own re-
quirements' But Tennessee has why is
| she not admitted? will tell you. Con
gress asked for evidence as to these States.
1t asked for the proclamations, constitu-
tlons, documents, laws. The President
never sent them to Congress until March
But MEANWHILE it had been gathering
proof from other quarters. and at length
it was just ready to admit Tennessee
Then one branch Of the Legislature was
disOrganized, and the rebel element, rot
being willing to submit to the rule of the
majority, sought to break up and destroy
the government. They left the House
without quorum, and it is still without
quorum. And | say while the gov
ernment Was IN that condition, there is
not man of you who would think
that State should be recognized We
therefore do not complain OF the delay
We knQr that admission NOR rould de-
stroy tie Lnion element o. those States.
Congress is doing right IN holding them
back. When the rebel armies first sur
rendered, there was everywhere disposi,
ton toward loyalty, but | stand here to-
night to say that there is now feeling as
deep and bitter toward the Union men of
the South, as there ever was in 1860 or
1861. And the facts have proved that
Congress, in its cool and deliberate treat.
ment Of the matter, deserves the thanks
OF all Union men in giving opportunity
for these rebels to show their hands
Time will show that Congress was right
But all these things will be settled wisely
and safely. and when loyal men get con.
troll of these governments, there will then
be no difficulty. and all these questions
will be satisfactorily settled. In Tennes
see We shall elect new members to make a
quorum, on Saturday next, then the fran
chise bill, securing control to loyal men,
will pass, and then | have no doubt that
Congress will act promptly and rightly"