Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-03-25
THE ADMISSION OF ALABAMA.
Remarks OF Hon. s. M. Arnell, Belly.
cred In Congress March Il.

trust sincerely that this bill will pass. An ex-
aminasion Of precedents in our history will confirm
the fact that there is nothing new or unwarranted
in the proposition TO admit Alabama, whether she
has or has not ratified the constitution recently sub
mitted to her people. Let US run over some Of the
precedents. .l-
Vermont was the frat new State admitted after
the adoption Of the Federal constitution. The act
was approved by Washington on the 18th Of Feb
ruary, lfel. Yet no constitution was submitted to
or required by Congress.
Kentucky was the next State admitted, June let,
1892 Her constitution was not submitted TO Con-
gress, though formed on the 18th Of April, 1892.
Tennessee my own native State, the third child
of the Union, was the frsl 10 submit State con-
stitution TO Congress II was framed on the 9th Of
February, 1896, and when presented was objected
10 as n conflict with that Of the United States and
the objection was answered by the declaration then
and there made and aequiesced in authoritative,
that any provision vioative Of the constitution of
the United States was nullity.
Ohio was admitted by law declaring her "a State
In the Union although the committee TO whom
her constitution had been referred had not yet re-
ported and nsver did report.
Louisiana and Indiana were both irregular in the
formalty Of their admission.
Rhode Islsnd had only the charter OF Charles ii.
up 70 1890 yet was State in the Union.
These are facts connected with the admission Of
States in this Union that Het completely at rest the
cry Of irregularity.
j would admit Alabams beoause Alsbams de-
sires admission The proof Of this may be found
in the fact that majority Of g. el0 registered votes
we're cast for convention in 1851 more than ninety
/ four per cent Of her entire vote. Weary OF her
long sgony, anxious 70 escape further suffering and
depletion' and 70 secure permanent law and peace
che expressed herself thus emphaticsly. That cleo
tion was the untsgriaed voice Of Alabama In favor
OF reconstructon. Not less clear and positive and
in the sane directioni was her recent vote. True
lines had changed somewhat. The oonspirator in
| the White House hsd invited the rebels 70 a new
crusade. He offered them immunity from their
crimes and success FOR their exerton. Yet in the
teeth Of Andrew Johnson's opposition and the face
Of robeion n 900 votes were polled In fortv-lour
counties Tor tie constitution, and not a single
vote cast in opposition thereto.
In order 70 properly appreciate the lofty heroam
Of tho afrieads Of this government Ia Alabama
most Of them, indeed, wors black faces, but the same
faces that led our starved and wounded soldiers from
rebel prisons 10 the Union lines--I say, 10 under
stand The herosm Of the recent election the part
oi The Unionists Of this State it Is necessary 70
: gather into our minds some Of the circumstances
that surround them. The entire rebel population
was VfgHnanlLed not 70 vote and 20 prevent every
7 / one else rom voting. They owned The lands and
tne he8 Upon which ihc coiored men aud their fam
lies Fea' And 70 vote % the part Of eoored n an
was IN iaet 10 give up both Patrols were stationed
st crossroads to prevent men rom oomi, - bo
2 election; and on the very evening beeord ~ Id
registers were removed IN many oountes, ana new
ones appointed hostile 70 recon1truct{an Tho
sherfs were rebels aud summoned ns policemen ~
most desperate characters within their reach rnS
, aana armed 20 the teath, md who were roa5v =,
every hazard 10 prevent voting. Rebel chsljep,s-,
stood around the polls 70 delay snd intimidAte Sdf
10 this piiilesa rain storm n the month Of Fabr,
srv srch in volame a. for years had not viate sbs
a region. In Lowndss county, we are told, the h,
! wsiors were flowing deep yet scores of frssdrs;
plunged in and swan them q reach the po,ls On
moor fellow was drowned In these waters trying :
e swim across And add 70 al This the weary wait
4 ing for an opportunity to vote pinched, in man
. / N % n whom & WAS over snd you have in fsiu