Mr. STOKES. The letter has been read andI must say I am obliged to my friendfrom Wisconsin, who introduced it, He wishes to know how I can come here and take the oath now. The House will hear me out on this matter, and then we will compare records my record with that of the Gentfrom Wisconsin or of anybody else. In 1850, just after the passage of the compromise measures, a convention of Democrats I was held at the South, with Yancey at their head. It was avowedly a disunion convention. Soon after the meeting of that convention, which was in October, the Legislature of the State of Tennessee, of which I was a member, met. The question came up of union or dis' union, and I recorded my vote on the side of, the Union. In 1856, a similar question sprang up in the l Legislature, and I again lanted myself on the side of the Union, botii in my votes and speeches. In 1859, I was elected from the 4th district to the Congress of the U.S. Iwill say nothing in regard to my rec ord while here for it easily may be obtained b' reference to the Journals of this House. on remember, sir, as well as others on this floor, when the question was asked me, would I not agree in any case to ii dissolution of the Union, that my replywas “Never, sir, never!” That Congress passed off and the 4th of March came. You remember, sir. we heard the valedictories ofsouthern secesh Democrats. You remember after they had delivered their vnledictories in this House, they iacked up their duds and left. I then returned to my home, and on my way, on the night of the 6th of March, in Nashville, I declared in a speech I would rather have a Government without prop ' erty than property and no Government. There were hisses in the crowd. I repeated it. I repeated that I would rather have a' Government and no property than property and no Government. I said, “ You can construe that to be abolitionism, Lincolnism, or any other ism you may choose.” I told them they would uttei the same thing when they had been subdued, On myreturn home I made speeches at Cook ville, Gainsboro’, thynn’s Lick, and at a great many other places, up to the 25th day of April, 1861. The Legislature was called together by the Governor. They convened, and as I have repeatedly said. from the 25th of April up to the 11th or 12th of the May following, I was on the stump. Kentucky occupied a neutral position. Union men of our State issued their address. Almost every leading man in Middle and Western Tennessee had lowered his flag. I remained in that part not knowing where to go or where to strike, and during that time the letter, bearing date the 10th of May, was writ ten in my office. While I admit there are things in it which are wrong, still there is not a letter in favor of secession, not a word in favor of separation. '