Mr. Patterson himself very frankly and openly states the facts. They are stated, I believe, in thereport. The facts are admitted unquestionably to be those: after Tennessee bad ado ited an ordinance of secession her Legislature havingadopted it and submitted it to the people, and at having been ratified by a large popn or vote, while that State was completely under the control of personsin hostility to the Government of the U.S., when troops were being raised throughout the State, while the ver portion of it in which Mr. Patterson reside was overrun by armed forces and persons were being conscripted into the rebel ranks, in 1 G2 an election or judge of the judicial circuit came on; Mr. Patterson became a candidate forjndge, and he was elected. How was that election held? It was under the au. thority of that State, which had ado ted an ordinance of secession in hostility to the U.S. It matters not that the constitution of Tennessee had not been changed; its government had been subverted; the enemies of the country had taken possession of it. He was elected to this oliice. After being elected, a commission was sent to him by Governor Har ris, notoriously known to the country as the head of the rebel government of Tennessee. He received that commission. He took the commission and went before an officer of the law, and there he subscribed the oath that he would support the constitution of the State of Tennessee and the constitution of the confederate States of America. Now, sir, I cannot vote that he has not accepted an office under a government or a pre tended government in hostility to the U.S. '1 hatis what this resolution declares when it says that he is qualified to take this oath. Can you say that, Senators, on your oaths? I you, my fellow Senators, to the witness sbtrainng and put you upon oath, and ask you under the solcmiiity of the oath you have taken. will you swear that be has not accepted an office under a government in hostility to the U.S.? Can you swear that? As a juror, can you render that verdict? But. sir, what further does the law say? “I have neither sought nor accepted nor attempted to exercise the functions of any office.” it is admitted that he did exercise the functions of judge under that government of Tennessee, which was in host it to the Government of the U.S. Ton all know that. He held courts. He himself administered this same oath to divers persons that the would support the constitution of the conedemte States of America. Now, does his motive alter the fact that Mr. Patterson did this? It alters the grade of Mr. Patterson’s act so far as the morality of it is concerned; but does it alter the fact that be exercised authority under a government in hostility to the Government of the U.S.? There is the fact. He did do it. He did it for the purpose of proteclin the loyal men. He was a loyal man himsel. I concede all that, and I should be most happy to welcome