Mr. GRIMES. I am sorry to say that I am compelled to dilrer from the chairman of the ComJudiciary and shall be constrained to vote against his amendment, and shall vote with great pleasure for the original proposition as it came from the House of topresentatives. I understand that the great point made by the Senfrom Illinois is that he desires that there should be a recognition of the authority.of Congress over the question as to whether ‘the late rebel States shall be entitled to repre’sentation or not. Now, ifI understand the language of the House resolution, and I believe that is what is now under consideration, no langu could be used that would more satisfac tori y convey the implication that this matter does rest with Congress, and is deendent upon our action, than that which has been use by the HoRep when they passed thi“s resolution. That the State of Tennessee is hereby relstored.” Restored by what? Restored by this iresolution, this resolution of Congress, the ‘ioint act of the Senate and of the HoRep, and of the executive depart ‘ment of Congress. “That the State of Tennessee is hereby restored to her former proper, practical relations to the Union.” I) understand that that covers everythiu.Iunderstand that that expresses the opinion of Congress that Tennessee has a right to exercise all of her functions in every dept as an independent sovereign State of the U.S., as much so as any other State in the Union. “And is again entitled to be represented.” I suppose these words are unnecessary, as this result would naturally follow from the preceding declaration; but it goes on, “and is again entitled to be represented by Sens&Reps in Congress, duly elected and qualified, upon their taking the oaths of office required by existing laws." Satisfied, Mr. President, as I am that there is a full recognition of the authority of the legislative power of this Government to control this matter by the adoption of this resolution in the phrase olo in which it is framed, I shall have no hesitation in voting for the resolution as it came from the House. I do not know that the preamble is now under consideration, but I am entirely satisfied with that. It declares that “the State of Tennessee has in good faith ratified the article of amendment to the Constitution of the U.S. proposed by the 39th congress to the Legislatures of the several States." but article, I believe, includes everything in the original bill that was reported back to the Senate and HoRep by the JtCommee of the 2 bodies on reconstruction, the committee of 15. “And has also shown to the satisfaction: of Congress, by a proper spirit of obedience in the body of her people, her return to her due allegiance to the Government, laws, and authority of the U.S.” I am not going into the question which the Senfrom Maryland has alluded to, as to whether the constitutional amendment was properly ratified by, the Legislature of the State of Tennessee or not. I am myself satisfied from the information that is before me that she has properly ratified it; and having done so andp having: shown, according to my judgment, in the language of this resolution, a proper spirit of obedience to the laws by her people and her return to due allegiance to the Government, the laws, and authority of the U.S., I am prepared to vote for the resolution as it came from the HoRep.