Year: 1866

Congress in supporting the amendment in which
these principles were embodied, differed from
some of them in thinking that it should be sub
m tilted to the free judgment of the people in all
the States and that its adoption should not be
made condition precedent to the admission of
any State into the Union, or of ITS representa-
tives into Congress. | can find no authority for
such requirement in the Constitution of the
United States, and do not feel at liberty, as a
member of Congress, to exercise q power not
conferred by that fundamental law.


| believed at the outset of the session that
Tennessee and Arkansas were loyal States; that
they had loyal governments, republican in form,
with loyal State officers tbToughout that the
Senators and representatives they had sent to
Congress were loyal men, who could take the
oath required by law; and that they ought to
be admitted to their seats in either House, If
that House should find, upon due inquiry, that
they had been elected, returned, and qualified
according TO law. ! did all in my power 10
secure that result. believed that such action,
promptly taken, would avert the pelil, since
become so real and so disastrous, oil a serious
breach between the executive and legislative
departments OF the Government, and that it
would, without involving any rlsk of admitting
unsafe or dangerous men into Congress, give
such an example to the other Southern States
as would encourage the sentiment of loyalty
among their people and bring them into accord
sooner or later, with the sentiment and policy
of the Union party.


continued my efforts in that direction, in
Congress and out, so long as deemed them
likely to be OF the slightest service to the Union

suit and towards the re establishment OF COM
mon Union basis, upon which men OF all sections
could again unite IN common efforts for the
common good, | took Dart in Convention of
delegates from all the States, held at Philadel-
phia, in August last and endeavored, in con-
cert with others. not without gratifying de-
gree OF success, TO secure the assent OF leading
men from the Southern as well as from the
Northern States, to the principles de-
cided by the war-to the abandonment
of the doctrine of secession, to the ex-
tirpation of slavery, the perpetual in
tegrity of the Union, and the supremacy of the
Constitution, the inyalidity of all obligations
Incurred in rebellion against the Government,
! the inviolabilitY of the public debt and the
| equal protection OF law, and by equal access TO
courts OF law OF all the citizens Of all the States
| without distinction of race or color. / believe,
| and still believe, that in this was endeavoring
to do useful and patriotic work, fully IN har-
| mony with the principles of the Union party.
| Nor in seeking to promote such concert of
action as should, while accomplishing these
| results, also lead to the election of members of
| Congress favorable TO the admission of loyal
men from loyal States, did deem myself to be
| taking a course hostile to any purposes or
objects which that party has ever sought to
| attain.


| Whether the policy have thus pursued was
wise and just or not, 1t is for others rather than
| me to judge. / believed it at the time to be
! emnently conducive to the peace and prospe-
riy OF the country. And still think that If the
| President and the Union majority in Congress
| could have agreed upon the admission of repre-
sentatves from loyal States who can take the
| oath required by law, they could also have
agreed in support OF the Constitutional amend
| ment, and of such other measures as might be
required to satisfy the solioitous loyalty OF the


country and re-estabIish its freeinsttutions upon
| solid and permanent foundation. And if such an


agreement could still be reached, in spite of all
| that has occurred ON both sides to exasperate


public sentiment, should not even yet despair
| that it might be followed by such results.


But the possibility of such concord of action
| between the President and Congress grows more


and more remote. The rash and Incorporate


action by which leading men in Congress at


tempted to coerce or override the President, has


produced its legitimate results. The old contest


between the Union party which stood by the


Government in its struggle with the Rebellion,


and the Democratic party which resisted and


that the controversy should have taken this


shape. / hoped and believed that the differ


cnces of opinion on the subject OF representa-


tion which prevailed in the Union party could


be settled within its own ranks, without involv.


ing the risk OF bringing the Democratic party


again into power.


EVERYTHING that have done has been done


in that hope and to that end. In the face OF


evident and signal failure, claim nothing fol


my action but sincere purpose to promote the


peace and harmony of the whole country, Sy


extending over the whole country and national


izing the principles established by the war,


acted according to my best judgment-con


trmed by that of men to whose wisdom anC


patriotic devotion to the public good have
1


my public life. II erred in this am consoleC


for my error by your kindly construction of its
| motive, and by your recognition of some de
| gree OF independence as not unbecoming YOU


Representative in Congress.


You have assumed, and with perfect Justice


that am now as l was when elected two year


ago--as have always been and shall always re


MAMA member OF the Union party, holdint
its faith as declared in its Conventions, seekinl
| it's welfare and striving for advancement ant
reform in everything touching the public goot


through its agency. With the Democratic party
as il has been organized and directed since tn
| Rebellion broke out have nothing In common
and should regard Its re-established ascendanc


in the government of the country State o


national as a public calamity There are n
perils impending over the country which dc
> mand resort to so desperate remedy, or whtC
can be averted by it; and have implicit fait
: that the people, while checking the eXcesses Q
rash and extreme men IN the Union party vii
still commit to its hands the restoration c
the Union which its courage and devotion hav
| saved.


{ am greatly obliged TO you for your reques


that l would allow my name to be used as
, | candidate for reelection. But there are man
: | considerations which would render this unwis(
l | Ny past action does not command the approvf
r | Of a large body among those who originall
4 | gave me their votes; and apart from such ar
/. proval, so far as il can be had consistently wit
a proper independence OF personal opinion, a sea
E. In Congress ceases to have for me any attrat
d tion, or to offer any opportunity for useful pul
II lie service; and shall best consult my own sci
g | respect as well as the sentiments of my col
is | stttuents and the interest of the Union cause
/ by Withdrawing my name from the canvas
T. altogether. This involves no special sacrldC
on my part, as shall easily find opportunitie
- | whether in office or out for promoting Unlo
~ principles, and for evlncing my gratitude to YO
S ,e for the Kindness and confidence with whic