Mr. LANE. Then it was in the past tense. This Government was organized under the proclamation of President Lincoln. AndrewJohnson, the present POTUS, was appointed provisional governor. Hc issued his call for a convention in the State of Tennessee. A convention was called. a constitution adopted, and an election ordered, and, under that election, William G. Brownlow appears 1st upon the stage of action in Tennessee. The whole organization of the government was perfect up to the time of his election. He was elected, so far as I know, upon a fair vote of the loyal people of Tennessee. The government then was organized by President Lincoln and by the provisional governor, now the President of theIU.S. Whether Governor Brownlow may be “the most eminent blackguard of the age” or not, I am not now here to say. I admit that the telegram that he sent the other day to the SeySenate was rather more forcible than classical; but compared with other ema nations from East Tennessee, I think it is won derfully respectable, for there is a species of coarseness that seems to run through all the communications from that part of Tennessee. It is quite as genteel, I think, as the 22d of February speech. The only objectionable part of it seems to be a reflexor echo from that 22d of February speech. But, Mr. President, a word as to the resolution itself. I shall vote for this preamble and res olution precisely as they came from the House. I think the purpose is as well exressed as we can express it by any change. am prepared to vote for the resolution without any preamble, orwith either preamble, orwith both preambles. We are asked to do a certain thing. The doing of that thing is the important matter, and not the reason which we shall assign to ourselves or others for the act. The preamble from the House is in these words: Whereas the State of Tennessee hasin good faith, ratified the article ofamendment to the Constitution of the U.S. proposed by the 39th to the Legislatnres of the several States and has also shownto the satisfaction of Congress, by a properspirit of obedience in the body of her people, ler return to her due allegianceto the Government, laws, and authority of the U.S.: Therefore the removal, That her relations are resumed and she is entitled to representation. That is the whole substance of it. Now, if by the people of Tennessee, in this preamble, you mean the loyal people, then I doubt not it is true. If you mean y a “proper spirit of obedience in the body of her people” to allude to the loyal people, then, I doubt not, that is. true. But, sir, what is the difference between these 2 preambles? The preamble prepared by the ComJudiciary and presented here is simply fuller in its recitation of the histor ical facts and connections of this subject than the resinble of the House; but the preamble of the House asserts to all intents and purposes that they have substantially comp iedl with our plan of reconstruction, and are now entitled to representation and to resume their relations with the U.S., and as substantially declares that as does the preamble of the ComJudiciary. Now, sir, when we are all proared, with 2 exceptions, I think, in the wiiole Senate, to admit Tennessee to representation, and to admit that she is in such relations to the Government as to be entitled to resume representation in this body, how childish is it to stand here to debate as to the r sons we shall assign for that act! Neither of these preambles contain the reasons why I shall give this vote. I shall vote.to admit Tennessee because she had, under the proclamation of the President, by the vol untary act of the people, long before the suppression of the rebellion, a full and complete loyal State government. I shall vote to admit her, also, for the causes recited in the pream ble. If I understand the plan of reconstruction, it was this: that the constitutional amendment should be ado ted by all the Statesbefore they should be entitTed to representation, with the excetion of Tennessee, and in her case she should be admitted to representation when she ratified and confirmed the amendment. Having complied, then, with our own condition, and that fact bein sufficiently recited in the House resolution, shall vote against all amendments and shall vote for the preamble and resolution precisely as they came from the House. If that shall fail, I shall vote for the amendment of the ComJudiciary. If that shall fail and both preambles are stricken out, I shall still do the thing Iintend to do substantially, by voting for the resolution.