Mr. SMITH. I have the floor now, and cannot yield for that purpose. With all due deference to the opinion of the distinguished Gentfrom Pennsylvania, [Mr. STEVENS] I will say that he and I differ very materially upon the point he suggests, whether the State ofArkansns is defunct or not. We have didered since l have been here sitting in Congress, and as long as be entertains the opinions he now does we will continue to. dif for. He has heard me almost as often asI have heard him upon this question, presentin ourdifferent views in regard to this matter. declare, us a rule of the Government, as a principle of the constitution, and as a precedent of Congress up to this session, that these States have all been recognized as States, and not as defunct, and that these men have been invited to the privileges of this floor by a solemn vote of this House; and, further, sir, those who claimed seats from Louisiana and Arkansas in the last Congress were paid their salary. up to the time the question was decided and further than that, sir for over 2 years after the commencement o “the war, not only claimants, but members were permitted to take their seats from those States which were declared to be in rebellion, and which had passed ordinances of secession. I am proud, and it will be a source of gratification to mein the future, that I can rise in my place and declare as a great fundamental principle, one which has been maintained by arms that no State is out of this Union, or ever has been , and that no State has become defunct by the rebellion. It isagreatnnd glorious privilege that Iclaim. It is a grand and glorious principle which was handed down to mubyJthe fathers of the Revolution, and which the Gentfrom Pennsvivania [Mr. Srsvsss] will by an edge i longer . gentleman may say what the please about the admission of members from teStates lately in rebellion, but the question, is to be decided by us. Thisyquestion of privilege and courtesy is. notone that involves the eligibility of a man to. a seat upon this, floor. I have never asked that a man who has waged war agaiust this Government, who has attemted to aid in its overthrow, should be admitted here eitherasa matter of privileve or a matter of right., But I have (1 by acknowl God permits him to live a few years. always held that one who comes before us hearing upon him the scars of battles fought for the maintenance of the Government, who has gone through this great campaign for independence and liberty, who has borne aloft thesame flag that we have attempted to mainta, in, should, as a matter of courtesy, be admitted, to the privileges of the floor in the national council. I say it is but a poor been when granted, and we reflect upon our gratitude if We donotgrant to him what wehave rantedto othemf Mr. KASSON. Vill the gentleman, yield to me for a few moments?