Mr. JOHNson to power in 1864 I shall not enter now. I only say to my colleague that while I concede to him all sincerity, for I do not question the sincerity of his motives, I know that so far as I am concerned I have not changed any of the principles which I have advocated on this floor, nor have I been false to a pledge which was ever given by myself or the party which I aided in elevating to power. The change is in himself. There are gentlemen upon this floor who have not changed. I see the honorable Senfrom Massachusetts [Mr. SUMNER] and the honorable Senfrom Missouri [Mr. BRowN] and the honorable Senfrom Ohio [Mr. WADE] and other Senators that I could name. They stand now where they stood 2 years ago, I stand now where I stood 2 years ago. I was battling them then and over precisely the same question, upon which I am battling them now. They have not changed, nor have I; but my colleague has advanced from the position where he stood side by side with me, and taken his position by the side of the Senfrom Massachusetts. I question not his sincerity. If his convictions lead him there it is well. I question the sincerity of no other man. But whether he has ebanged in his position Ior have changed, whether he has deserted the party and the principles upon which the party came into power in 1854, or whether I i. deserted them, is a question which he and I can settle at another time. For myself I am prepared to show, at all events I believe I can show, that I stand where I stood in 1864. This question of reconstruction was a question in discussion, it is true, in 1864. It was the very question upon which a portion of the Republican party called together a convention at Cleveland, because they were dissatisfied with the Administration and the policy of Mr. Lincoln. It is a question upon which there has been controversy in the republican party from that day down to the Present time. Upon that question I admit I took one side; the Senfrom Massachusetts and some others took another. And I admit also that many Senators who stood with me then have become satisfied for some reason to advance and take position by the side of the Senfrom Massachusetts. I do not find any fault if their convictions lead them there. But what I do say is, that because I have not advanced with them from my position to take another they have no right to condemn me as having deserted the positions which I occupied then and still occupy. But, sir, I shall not go into that question on this occasion. I rose more to say in justice to the Gentfrom whom the alleged letter was written that it was purloined from my private papers by some person unknown to me, and has been published without my consent. My colleague is now in his seat. As I stated before, I acquit him entirely of any knowledge on that subject, for I do not believe, had he known the manner in which it was taken, he would have used the letter in the Senate of the U.S.