The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1867-12-13
Speech OF the Hon. VIM. 3, Stokes
In Defence OF himself, Hon. r.
r. Butler, and the State Govern
ment Of Tennessee.

meHt vi IeuncSSces
Mr. STOKES. | rise for the purpose
of dischafging a duty which | feel
that owe to myself, to my constitu-
ents, to my State, and to this House,
On last Thursday, Mr.. Speaker,
when you called the members from
Tennessee to present themselves to
take the oath prescribed by law, we
were met by gentlemen on the other
side Of the House entering their pro.
tests against the admission Of a por-
tion of the delegation and In fact one
of the gentlmen entered his protest
against the whole delegation. Conse.
quently we were forced to retire to
our seats and await the action of this
House.
1t IA we'll known that the Thirty
Ninth Congress passed law con
vening the Fortieth Congress on the
4th Of March, the day on which the
Thirty Ninth Congress expired and it
is well known that the present Con
gress had d short Session in March
and July. But the election IN Tenn
essec did not take place until August
Consequently the members elect could
not apply for admission until the be-
ginning OF the present sessioh-laSt
Thursday. At that time the eight
members elect from Tennessee ap-
peared here with the certificates Ot
the Governor, having received the
largest majority ever received by any
members from that State. Their elec
lion was duly certified acturding 10
the laws of the State Of Tennessee aud
tho laws of the United States. Yet
they were met here by gentlemen
who refused to permit them to take
their seats. In addition to that, grave
charges were preferred against some
of the members, and in fact all the
members and the State government
of Tennessee was denounced upon
this floor so digrat6 to civilization
and a disgrace to the United States.
For this reason l have atailed my
self of the opportunity to make some
remarks to meet the charges that
have beeh preferred. The three gen
.lemen to whom | wish particularly
10 allude In iHy temafks are the gen
.lemen from Wisconsin, Mr. Eldtige.
he gentlemen from Illinois Mr.
and the gent eman from
New York, (Mr Brooks)
might say here that should per /
,aps be contented with the vindica-
ion of the members from Tennessee
hat was made by the gentlemen from
.llhois, (dr. Logan,) the gentlemen
rom Ohio, (Mr. Schenck,) }, the. gentle
nan from Pennsylvania, ( Mr.. kelley) |
md the chairman Of the Committee
If Elections, Mr.. Dawes, but | feel
I due to the people Of my State and the
delegation from that State that
ihouid Submit some remarks upon
bis question.
have no complaints to utter in
.egard to the gentleman from Wis
,onsin, Mr.. Eldrige1 lie did moth
ing more than what he had the right
to do. will read part Of the re.
marks of that gentleman as published
n the Globe OF lastFriday;
"Nk. EtbarDdE. The gentleman Is missa-
ten Abodt the House having ever inTestigat-
a this letter Another subject was before
he House when il was read before. Il was
cad but once. Il was read before on the
fues,ion Of The admission Of the Senator
rom that State, modifying the test-oath 90 |
hA, he might take his seat in the Senate. II
vas after NJ. Stokes had taken bis seat
Now, mark the language, Mr. Speak.
,ri
al should not have introduced itnow were
I not that Judge Trimble, having sat In the
thirty Ninth Congress, was on similar allie
ration prevented from taking bis seat"
Tho only point that wish to make
ipon tho gentleman from Wisconsin
NkA