Mr. MAYNARD. propounded by the Gentfrom ennsyl vania, I will reiterate that this JtResolution does not propose to relieve Judge Patterson from any disqualification from having taken the oath under these circumstances, if it constitutes any disqualification. I will say, Mr. Speaker, that our Union men, as a question of casuistry, differed in their view of this subject. There were loyal men, and when I say loyal men I mean it I use terms in their best understood meanin and do not intend in any manner to palter with words in a double sense men who went for the government through thick and thin, high winds or low winds. I say, then, there were nion men who, as a question of casuistry, thought they might take that oath and disregard it whenever they thought proper to do so, disregard it en In reply to the Iquestion , tircly withontolfense to their conscience. There were other men who took a different view and refused under any and all circumstances, proscription, imprisonment, and everything else, totalie the oath to support the ceiiiederncy. Among these were high officials in the State. Our present Governor was one of the latter class. When imrisoned he was told that he would be released if he would take the oath, and he steadily refused to’do so. The SecyState, also well known to the country as a thorough and une uivocal Union man, when in the ower of resis was re nired by them to take the oatli, and was told by them if he did not they would imprison him indefinitely, and he accordingly took it. He belonged to the’former class. The 2 classes were pretty numerous. I am not aware that either was offended by the course of the other. As I have said, the situation was severe and distressin, and honest men acted as their judgment dictated. The Union men trusted each other implicitly, and their differences were not made cause 0 reproach. I do not know what Judge Patterson’s feelings were. I suppose when he concluded to take the position be resolved to go through with all ormalities attendant on it. Let me illustrate his situation by referring to an office purely military, the office of conscript agent, an office established for the collecting together and reporting of all persons of military age within the bounds oft e official district. The Union men were desirous thatone of the ir own number should be put into this office, not for the purpose of getting men into the rebel army but for the purpose of keeping them out; not “in hostility to the U.S." but “in hostility to the confederacy;” not to aid the rebellion but to aid the Government. Should it he insisted that this was a holding of office within the meaning of the law such as to constitute a disqualification? I protest against any such construction as contrary to the purpose and meaning of. the statute. So the Senate evidently think. This office, held by Judge Patterson, under the circumstances, is no disqualification. A Union, radically Union, Legislature have elected him to the Senate. It is not proposed to modify the oath in behalf of one who has been tainted with rebellion. No body proposes that. I certainly do not. anything else but that. The object is to relieve from possible hardship a friend, at the same time we exercise increased rigor to the enemies of the couiitr ', to admit them by a side door into the cita el while'we barricade the main entrance more securely against the other. such was the evident purpose of the Senate. And while I might have thought it better to have admitted the Senator in the usual form, they have judged differently, and, as a matter of comity toward the other House, let us concur.