Mr. MORRILL. Will the Senator allow me to ask him how this differs from the case of the admission of Missouri’ Mr. HENDRICKS. Yes, sir; I will state how I understand it to differ, and it is but repeating what I had occasion to say before the holidays. The provision in the constitution of Missouri was that the Legislature should have authority to pass laws prohibiting the immigration of persons of color. The act of Congress was simply undertaking to declare by Congress that a construction should not be given to that provision of the State constitution which should be in violation of the constitution of the U.S. It was not affirmative legislation on the part of Congress. It was not an attempt on the part of Congress to change the constitution of Missouri, but in adv?nce to declare by Congress that a construction should not be given to that article, or any other article, in violation of the Constitution of the U.S.. Here is a question over which the people of the State under the Constitution of the U.S. have exclusive control the question of suffrage expressly given to the people of the State by the Constitution of the U.S. They have exclusive control of it, and in this constitution the people of Nebraska have said that persons of color shall not vote in that State. The Senate said that by an act of Congress we could amend that constitution so as to give the right of suffrage to everybody. The HoRep disagrees with the Senate. The House says that the Legislature of the State must concur in that action. But what force and validity does that give to the action of the Senate? None; because it is not a legislative act to change the constitution of the State when the constitution does not provide for a mode of amendment. Who can change the constitution of Nebraska? Can Congress do it? This amendment admits that Congress cannot do it. Then can Congress and the Legislature of the Territory or the Legislature of the proposed State, change the constitution of the . I think no Senator will say so. The distinguished Senfrom Vermont, who claims the power for Congress on the admission of a State to model its constitution according to the pleasure of Congress, himself says that the Legislature of the State has no control over it; that that is nothing. This constitution, if it has any force at all as a constitution for a proposed State, has force because it has received the sanction of the people. Now, can any authority in Nebraska joof the people change that constitution? I am free to say that if the people of Nebraska change this constitution so as to allow negroes to vote I have no objection to it. I think it is a question exclusively within their control. If they let them vote I have no objection. If this amendment of the HoRep be so amended as to submit the question to the people, and they decide in favor of it, let it go; but if they decide against it, what Senator wants to change the constitution of Nebraska against the will of the people of the State? I shall not offer the amendment, because I have it not prepared. I make these suggestions on the question. I cannot myself vote for any of the conditions that are imposed upon the State.