Mr. HENDRIC 'S. I do not believe in either of the preambles. I do not vote that the State of Tennessee is entitled to representation in this body for anyone of the reasons assigned in either preamble. I believe that the State of Tennessee is entitled to representation because she is a State of the Union, and because the Constitution of the U.S. ver plainly declares that each State in the Union is entitled to 2 Senators and at least one Representative. I do not believe that she is entitled to a representation in Congress because she has agreed to an amendment of the Constitution of the U.S.; I do not believe that she is entitled to a representation in Congress for the extraordinar reason given by the Senfrom Ohio, Mr. ADI 1, ]that she has disfranchised more an 1/2 of her people; but simply because she is a State of the Union, and eace being restored, and a condition of obedience to the laws havin returned, she, under the plain letter of the constitution, is entitled to representation. If she is not a State, she is not entitled to representation because she has amended the Constitution of the U.S. If she is not a State she is not entitled to representation because she has attempted to disfranchise more than 1/2 of her people. But if she is a State she is entitled because she is a State, and the Constitution declares her right in the legislative dept of the Government. Mr. President, let us consider for one moment the reasons assi ned in the preamble presented by the Senfrom Illinois. In the rst place, it is recited that the State government of Tennessee was usurped by parties hostile to this Government, on that before the close of the war there was the adoption of a constitution in the State of Tennessee. It is then recited that a year ago or more the State of Tennessee rat ified an amendment of the Constitution of the U.S. abolishing slavery. That is given as a reason wh we recognize her position in the Union. why, sir, the very reason that is given here why we recognize her position in the Union is a reason wh she was in the Union at that time. I as Senators if the State of Tennessee could ratify an amendment to the Constitution of the U.S. unless she was a State in the Union, unless she was a State with practical relations to the Union 7 Can a State out of the Union, can a State in a condition in which she could exercise none of her political powers, amend the Constitution of the U.S.? And here is given as a reason a fact which could not exist unless Ton nessee was a State in the Union, with all the powers possessed by any State. Then, a in, it is averred that very recently she ree to amend the Constitution of the U.S. in another respect. If she did that, it was because she was a State, because she was a State of the Union, because she was a State of the Union under the Constitution, and could exercise power under the Constitution. I ask Senators the question, can a State exercise the power to amend the Constitution of the U.S. a power conferred upon the State by the Constitution and at the same time not select Sens&Reps Is that question capable of right? It is not a question of favor that States are represented in Congress; it is a question of constitutional right. It is because she is a.State that she can consent to an amendment of the Constitution. It is because she is a State that she is entitled to representation. And if, of her own free will, and at her own pleasure, she ratifies an amendment to the conslitntion, she can at the same time select senators to represent her in this body, and when they come with proper credentials, qualified to take their seats, of right. she is entitled to be represented here. But. Mr. President, I obje t to this last reason that is given on anothergr und. We do not, know whcLher the State ofTennessee has ratified the recent amendment or not. Independently of this resolution, would Senators today pass a JtResolution declaring that the constitutional amendment has been ratified by Tennessee? Would any Senator, upon an independent, naked proposition of that sort. cast is vote declaring that that constitutional amendment. has been ratified by Tennessee, simply upon a telegraphic message from the Governor of the State? I care nothing about the form of the communication; it is wholly immaterial except as it mayillustrate the character of the man. He communicates by tele graph not to the Senate, not to the House, not to the President, but.to some person in the city of Washington; Governor Brownlow communi cates the fact by telegraph that the constitutional amendment is ratified. Are Senators willing to pass a.resolution declaring that fact upon such information, when it is known to all of us that it is disputed, when it is known to all of us that there was not.a uornm present, and that to make up a quorum it was necessary that there should be present in the legislative body 2 men who were in confinement in another part of the Capitol? When that is claimed, and when we have no information communicated to any branch of the Government, can we under take to declare that the constitutional amendment has been ratified? Is it the business of Congress to declare the ratification of a constitutional amendment? I do not understand that it has ever been done. It is a question of fact. whether a State in proper form has ratified a constitutional amendment. Usually, I believe, the information is communicated to the SecyState, and he makes it. known to the country by a proclamation; but that is simply for information. The courts, I presume, would. exofficio, take notice of a ratification. But it is a question of fact whether the Legislature of Tennessee has ratified that amendment. Now, I ask Senators if we have sufficient information on this subject to justify the decla ration that it is ratified. We are all ready to vote Tennessee in. I desired to do it months since, and I am ready to admit all the States that have sent here Senators qualified and duly elected. I in” 'ready tovote for that resolution, althouD iI think it. objectionable, because it accomplishes that end. I desire Senators from Tennessee to articipate in our deliberations when we are legislatmg in regard to the interests of the people of Tennessee. For that reason I am rea y to vote for the resolution however objectionable in form it may be. Then, I ask Senators if they ought to ask us to vote for a preamble which we do not believe, in fact; to vote for reasons that we believe neither logical nor true. You want Tennessee to come in. Is it right, then, to compel us who differ from you to vote for a political stump speech in‘ advance of the resolution? A few years ago you found great fault in regard to a bilfthat was passed establishin territorial governments in Nebraska and ansas, and on naid a political stump speech was injected into the hill; or at least it was said by Mr. Benton, and repeated everywhere, and it. was considered wrong. But here you introduce a resolution bya politioal stump speech, which is neither true in fact nor logic, in my judg ment. We do not admit, and I do not think any Senator here will say that he admits. Senators to this floor on the ground that the legislation of the State'has been agreeable to him. The legislation in Indiana is not agreeable to the majority in this body. We have excluded a portion of the people from immigration into our State; and that was in the constitution of Indiana when I took my sent. here. Did any Senator ask the question whether the legislation of Indiana was agreeable to him? By no means. Then is any Senator here prepared to say that he admits a Senator to his seat simply because the action of the Legislature is agreeable to him? The reason that you admit a Senator here is because the Con‘ stitution says that his State is entitled to 2 Senators; and there is no other reason that can be given. It is simpl a question of fact whether a State is in the LInion, and if in the Union, whether she has, in roper form and by the proper authorities, selbeted Senators; and if so, I. ey are entitled to their seats. Then, I appeal to Senators not to force upon ‘usa preamble which we cannot believe. If ‘you believe this preamble. make it in your 'stump speeches before the country. It is not just to the)niuority to force upon us a preamble which we do not believe. We are ready to support the resolution and let Tennessee come in. If she is outiLled to representation, declare so. I think that each House ought to declare this for itself; but I shall not stand upon a question of form. I am ready to vote for the resolution, ‘and let the Sens&Reps from Tennessee take their seats.