The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-07-26

had adopted and ratified conscientious of gov
ernment whereby slavery was abolished, and
All ordinances aud laws of secession and debts
contracted under the same, we're declared null
and void. So far, then, the political existence
Of the states, and their re ations to the feder-
eral COVE mont, had been fully and com.
pIeteIy reco4 lied and Acknowledged by the
executive depars ment of the government, and
the completion Of the work of restoration,
which had progressed so fsvorably, was sub
mited to cong ess, upoi which devolved all
questions per lining to the admission to their
seats of the seua ,rs and repre ,entatives cho-
cen from the tie whose people had engaged
in the rebellion.
AN these steps had been taken when,o the
4th day OF December, 1865, the 39th congress
az 'embled. Nearly eight months have elapsed
since that time. and TO other plan having
been proposed By congress for the measures
Institated by the executive, it Is now declar-
ed, in the joint reso u; on submitted for my
approval, that the state of Tennessee is here
by restored to her former practical relations
in the Unian, and is again entitled to be rep
resented by senators and representatives in
congress. Thus, after the lapse of nearly 8
| months, congress proposes to pave the way to
the admission of representatives of one of
the eleven states whose people arrayed them
| selves in rebellion against the constitutional
| authority Of the federal government.
| Earestly desiring to relieve every cause OF
| further delay whether real or imaginary, on
| the part of congress, to the admission to seats
| of loyal senators and representatives from the
| state of Tennessee. | have, notwithstanding
| the anon alous character OF this proceeding
| affixed nv signature to the resolution. My
| approval, however, is not to be construed as
an acknow led gment of the right of congress-
to pass laws preliminary to the admission o.
duly qualified representatives from any of thu
states neither is it to be construed as com
| hitting me to all the statements made in thu
preamble; some of which are,in my opinion
without foundation in fact, especially the as
sertion that the state ofTennessee has ratitie'
the amendment to the constitution of the Uni
ted States proposed by the 39th congress. -
M official notice of such ratification has beel
received by the executive, or fild in the de
psrtment of stste. On the contrary, unofhc
ial intor nation from most reliable sources In
duees the belief that the amendment has NO
vet been constitutionally sanctioned by tn
legislature of Tennessee.
The right of each house under the consti
tuition, TO Judge of the election, ret urns an
qualifications of it's own mem bers is undou 81
ed, and, my approval or disapproval of tn
resolution could not, in this slightest degree
increase or diminish the authority in this re
spect conferred upon the two branches OF cor
gress.
In conclusion, L cannot too earnestly rspes
my recommendation for the admission {
, Ten nessee and all other states, to fair an
equal participation in the national legisls
. ture.wheA they present themselves in the pc
| sons of Iowa senators and representative
who can comply with all the requirements {
the constitution and the laws. BY this mean
h srmony and reconciliation will be effected
tn practical relations of all the states to III
fed eral government re-estabhshed, and tn
work Of restoration, inaugurated upon tn
termination of the wsr, successfully compile
ed
Signed ANDREW JOHNSON.
W.SHIN GToN, d. c., July -, 1866.