Mr. MILLER asked and obtained leave to have printed with the debates some remarks he ha preared on this subject. [His remarks will be pulished in the Appendix] Mr. MILLER.Mr. Speaker, the Legislature of Tennessee having ratified the amendment to the Constitution of the U.S., as passed the present Congress, this JtResolution provides for the admission to seats in congress of loyal representatives from that State upon taking the oath prescribed by existing laws. It is conceded that Tennessee has 63,010 voters, and that she has, through her Legisature, disfranchised rebels and in fact so changed her constitution and laws as to protect her citizens and make it truly a RFG, and the nestion is, shall this resolution be adopte 7 I trust, Mr. Speaker, it will. The Governor of that State deserves the thanks, not only of his own State, but of the entire nation, for his indefatigable one and patriotic services in calling together the legislature, and urging upon t cm the ratification of the amendment, which with extraordinary alacrity was accomlished. It must be remembered that the 10 a citizens of Tennessee during the late rebellion stood firm and undaunted for the Constitution and flag of this republic. They suffered from erseeution and anger beyond description. hey raised a large force, and entered the conflict for the preservation of this Union. Sir, the patriots of that State ought to receive encouragement from the nation, for to bee true patriot, surrounded as they were by blood thirsty rebels ready and willing to take the heart’s blood, not only of those who took arms for the preservation of this Union but that of their Wives, children, mothers, an fathers, and beside, had the torch applied to their homes, thus rendering them houseless, and many of the helpless portion of loyal families were compelled to fly to the mountains to hide themselves in order to evade the wrath of the rebels, while the able bodied portion were engaged in the battle field in mighty conflict with the blood thirst rebels. I tell you, sir, thatmen thiis situate, who stood firm to their integrity when all that is dear to the human heart was in peril, are patriots indeed, and deserve the commendation of this Republic. This is the 1st State that is claimed by the rebels to have seceded that has ratified this amendment, and by admitting its loyal representatives we will give encouragement to the loyal element and teach the other southern States that the only way for them to be repre, sented in the councils of the nation will be to} follow the example of Tennessee. It is unnecessary, however, to say here at what time or under what circumstances other of the States lately in rebellion will be admitted to representation, as that question will be determined when application is made, but I for one would say that I would require as a condition prece dent that the State so applying must 1st ratify the constitutional amendment, for I look upon that as indispensable to the injunction of “ guarantying to every State in the Union a RFG.” It is a great mistake in those who urge that Congress is bound to admit representatives from the socalled rebel States without any conditions whatever, for if that doctrine were tenable then those States would be sittin in judgment in their Own case and it would be idle to think they would vote for restrictions upon themselves after their admission. But owmg to the ecu liar condition in which these States were p need by the rebellion there can be no doubt that congross has a right under the Constitution to demand 1st a guarantee by adopting the proposed, amendment, and any other construction would, in my opinion, be detrimental to the preservation of the Union. But, as I have already said, I believe Tennessee has placed herself in a proper position, under the circumstances, to e entitled to have her representatives admitted to seats in Congress provided they can take the required oath. This amendment, so far as regards its practical effects, is appleaible not only to the States lately in rebellion, but to all others. Considerable has been said in regard to the preamble to the resolution: this, Mr. Speaker, look upon as too trifling for us to divide upon, and in fact more is embraced than necessary; that, however, is not material as the resolution contains the main object, and that is the admission of representatives. The honorable Gentfrom Massachusetts [Mr. BOUTWELL] finds fault with the resolution because it does not require Tennessee to so change her constitution and laws as to permit universal suffrage. It has been the uniform construction of the Constitution of the U.S., of the 17th of September, 1787, from its adoption, to allow each State to regulate therein the elective franchise, and that rule has been too firmly settled to be shaken. The amendment to the Constitution, however will not allow a representation for men disfranchised; thus leaving to each State the privilege of deciding whether the colored man shall vote or not, and if not allowed that right no representation can be had for him, or in other words no other person can vote in his place. This may eventually induce at least those southern States that 'have a large population of colored people to allow them to vote in order to increase their representation in Congress. This, however, is a question entirely for such States to decide, and not for Congress to force upon them. But why should we insist upon the southern States allowing universal suffrage as a condition precedent to representation when our own States have not adopted that rule? I find that in the State represented by the honorable Gentfrom Massachusetts conditions are imposed. The 4th article of the 3rd section of the constitution of that State reads thus: "Every male person (being 21 years and residentof anypurtioulartownin thisCommonwealth for the space of one year next preceding) havinga freehold ostatewithin the same townof the annual income of 3 poundsor an estate of the value of 60 pounds shall havearight to voto in the choice of epresent ntives for the said town." I find also in the article of amendments, adopted April 1], 1840, to that constitution, under item 20, as follows: “No person shall have the right tovoteorbe eligible to officeunder the constitution of this Common wealth, who shall not be able to road the constitution in the English language and write his name: Prmrr'vlcrhl, mnciicrT, hatthe provisions of this amendment shall not apply to any person prevented by physical disability from compying with its require ments nor to any person who now has the rightto vote nor to any person who shall be 60 years of useor upwardat the time this amendment shalltake eEcot.” Hence it. will be seen that that gentleman’s State has both a property and an educationalqualification annexed to the voters, and in all the other States, with the exception of some 5 or 6, by their constitutions negro suffrage is excluded. Now, while the States we represent exclude negro suffrage, we cannot with much grace insist upon these States doing that which our Own refused to do. I admit that the appeals of gentlemen in favor of such a theory are very patriotic, and especially those of the distinguished Gentfrom Massachusetts, [Mr. Bou'rwisi.i] but he must remember that the State he has the honor to represent has not gone the length he asks to be imposed on the southern States. It is true, as said by the honorable gentleman, that 4 million slaves have been emancipated; that the stigma of slavery that rested upon this Republic has been eradicated; and I might add that the country, by the aid of Prov idence has done much for the colored race; and it is also true that the black man rendered good service in the Arm in putting down the rebellion, and well he might, as by the war his race has become free and he is now being edu cated and elevated from degradation, in which the war at its breaking out found him. Truly much has been done for that race, and no won der they so much revere the name of our much lamented President, Abraham Lincoln, who by the guidance of Him in whom be trusted was able to bring about that great change in the social condition of the country. But as Prov iidcnce has blessed our arms and brought about the emancipation of the colored race, we must not be too eager for their elevation. alone can bring about what is best. Time Often by being over zealous wc retard that which we are too hasty to accomplish. I am therefore, Mr. Speaker, in favor of the resolution now under consideration, and will most cheerfull vote for its adoption and join in welcoming loyal members from that State who stood up in the hour of peril in behalf of and rendered valuable service for the preservation of our Republic, to a participation in the affairs of the nation.