Mr. RAYMOND. I have nothing to say against that position. I share the gentleman’s hopes and to a considerable extent the opinions he has just expressed. I have at all times been ready and willing to admit the fact, and I have considered it a matter upon which we may congratulate the country, that a considerable orrion, at all events, of those who act with t to Democratic party, have shown a disposition to he just and fair in their action upon this question. I will not enter upon any consideration of exceptions to this ifany could be found. I am glad to see members of the Democratic party upon this floor and elsewhere giving the Administration their support in what [believe to be a just and proper way of healing the wounds of war and adjusting the difficulties which still divide, one section in sentiment and in political action from the other. I desire now to resume the line of my argument; and I advertise gentlemen in season, so that they may reflect upon the proriety of granting or refusing my request, that shall be under the necessity of asking for an extension of m time. My opposition to this bill rests main y upon this fact, that it prescribes conditions precedent to the admission of Representatives here which we have no right to)rescribe under the Constitution of tie U.S. The bill asserts. as the principle on which it rests it establishes as a principle and precedent this position that Congress may, in its discretion, exclude any State from being represented, for a longer or shorter time, until that State shall comply with such conditions as Congress itself may dictate. That, sir, er hnps, may be deemed a broad statemento the general principle involved in this bill, but I see not how it can be narrowed in justice to the bill itself. We say to thesestates lately in insurrection, not, you must resume your atti tude of loyalty; not, you must obey the laws and support the Constitution of the U.S.; not, you must send men here who have not been traitors; no, sir, we say to those States, recognizing them all the time as States, you shall not have Representatives upon this floor until you pass certain acts, until you do certain thinvs, until you ratify certain amendments to the Constitution and embody the principles of those amendments in your own constitutions and laws. Now, sir, we are not acting in this matter for ourselves alone; we are not acting with especial reference to this particular year of our history; we are acting for posterity; we are laying down principles of which our successors may hereafter avail themselves. We prescribe certain conditions, dictate certain acts as the conditions precedent of representation. If we may prescribe these, we may prescribe others. We assert our own discretion as the only rule of our action in this respect. Now, assume for a moment that your fears provejust, and that rebels and re'befsympatluzer3 take possession of Congress Within one, 3, or 5 years from the present time. I say the very principle you establish by the enactment of this bill may a cited by them as a precedent, if they wish to take such action, for declaring to Massachusetts, Vermont, and NewYork that their Representatives shall not be admitted until those States shall pass acts which that Congress may prescribe.