The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1869-01-22
let us have Peace. --Gen,U s,GRANr.
TenneSSee'S Claim for additional
Representation.

Below will be found the able and uuan.
swSrA0ls argument Of Hon, Thes. A. HAmil-
ton, Representative -~Rt-largs elect, for his ad-
Mission into the Congress of the United
States. Its reasoning Of roek-like Solidity
and cOmpactness IS made the more ~irrssist-
IbIs by a plain and s%uccinct narration of
facts, that can not he controVerted. The
R~Sasons, that be urges upon Congress for n
favorable consideration Of Tennessse's claim,
are historic truths, too wen known TO all, to
admit Of the least shadow Of denial. The
'SRfranchisement Of the colored man, and the
pledge to BIN Of complete and untrammeIed
enjoyment Of civil Nad political immunities
and blessings bylegislative e%usctments, were
acts of volition upon the part Of tho loyal
people Of Tennessee. Totally unlike the 9th
ar reyolted States, Tennessee did not wait to
be forced by the National bayonet into the
adoption OF the reconstruetioR aaessares Of
Congress. Having been pesexN& FROM the
thralidom aad ANARCHY Of she rebellion, her
loyal citizens united their hearts, couusels,
wisdom and patriotism, and the mandate Of
their Sovereign power swept tho old forms Of
State Pdiy into the grave Of all such outEA-
geous tnornities, They virtually framed a
new Constitution in perfect accordance With
the most enlightened Republican ideas of pc.
litieal science, and with this ~faultless model
of free and patriotic government, they came
10 the door of the Union for re-Admission. In
fact. Tennessee In her rapid transformation
20 the new order of things, inaugurated by
the victory Of the Government, Outstripped
Congress in csncerting a policy, to adjust the
difficulties, under which the Nation labored
Ne think, we do not go beyond truth, in as
sorting that Congress received invaluable
assistance from the example Of Tennessee, in
meeting the emergencies and solving the pro-
biems, that arose from the collapse of the re-
bslIion. In view of all these facts and tbs in
eontrovsrtible argument of Mr., Hamilton, va
can AOt see, how Congress can, " with a con-
scieucs void Of offence" towards her
devoted and long-suffering psOple,refuss this
just demand Of Tennessee.
1.-THE claim Of Tennessee for additional rep.
resVutatiOn 10 10 unded both upon justice and
precedent. 1t ia not a gratuitJ that she asks,
bat for the recognition Of what she believes
10 be an intrinsic right. A mere outline Of
tue facts will present the whole case.
Emancipation ia Tennessee was the voIun-
tAry act Of her own loyal people, and not the
result Of Congressional legislation. Mr.. Lin
coins proclamation Of January LIST, 1858, de-
clsring the abolition Of slavery ia certain OF
the insurrectionary States, did not include
Tennessee, but, on the contrary, expressly sE-
eeptsd her from its operations. The frat act
Of reconstruction, however, though war
still existed upon her soil, was the formal
abolition Of slavery by popular vote, on the
22nd Of February, 1885. This was entirely
the spontaneous action OF her loyal people.
Their desire vas to do away With q great IA
tional evil, aud place the State ia hArmoay
with the rest Of her loyal sisters. A legis-
lature was elected ia March, 1883, aad began
10 April its work Of reconstruction. That
work Was accomplished under almost insup-
cradle difficulties, and resulted IT, the invest
ment Of all her colored citizens With full civ.
~ and Political rights. For these acts our
loyal people believe that they are entitled 10
additional representation, a. more than l20,-
oOa Of Fede'al population have been added
60 our roll Of citizens, as positively as IL
new territory had been annexed TO the eoun-
Try. For instance, Maine, bordering uPon a
foreign nation, aud AnneEing a slip Of terri
tory With 10000 new population, We would
al readily agree, ought TO have additional
representation, and Tennessee presents a par.
alisl case. Surely, then, il iS asking bat sim-
pie justice 10 have this fact recognised, By
NdniWisg a representation Of these new cit
issns 70 ths halls OF the nation.
OBJECTIONS.
Il may be ehiectsd that other States under
this theory, are eptitlsi 70 additioaal repre-
ssntation. II otber States hare done like vol
uutasy. service 20 the country- voluntarily
emAasipaisd their slaves, aud thea eoaferred
npou then. tnll eivl and polidcal rights; Ia
Word tseFs ereated new eitiIsns within their
oSn borders, aud out Of weakness have
brought s,Esaght 70 ths Republic, then they
700 Should b reoogniss1. Bat 90 STATE, save
TENNESSEE, Within The broad boundaries Of
the Oeieos can show sueh labor performed.
HsF rseoft.ia this respect differs from thai
Of eEery other State. Not ONLY have new eiti.
asua, by her action, been added 10 he nation.
baa the great eagss Of Humaa Rirhts has re-
-