r pretended authority, in hostility to
the United States." This joint resolution having passed the Senate,
was immediately sent to the House of Representatives, then in session,
and at once came up before that body for consideration. The resolution
was eloquently advocated by Messrs. Maynard and Taylor, and opposed by
Mr. Stokes, all of Tennessee.

"On the night of the 22d of February last," said Mr. Stokes, "I
delivered a speech in Nashville, and there and then declared, if
admitted as a member of this House, I would freeze to my seat before I
would vote to repeal the test oath. [Long-continued applause on the
floor and in the galleries.] I have made the same declaration in many
speeches since then.

"Sir, I regard the test oath passed by the United States Congress as
the salvation of the Union men of the South as well as of the North. I
regard it as sacred as the flaming sword which the Creator placed in
the tree of life to guard it, forbidding any one from partaking of the
fruit thereof who was not pure in heart. Sir, this is no light
question. Repeal the test oath and you permit men to come into
Congress and take seats who have taken an oath to the Confederate
Government, and who have aided and assisted in carrying out its
administration and laws. That is what we are now asked to do. Look
back to the 14th of August, 1861, the memorable day of the
proclamation issued by Jefferson Davis, ordering every man within the
lines of the confederacy who still held allegiance to the Federal
Government to leave within forty-eight hours. That order compelled
many to seek for hiding-places who could not take the oath of
allegiance to the Confederate Government. When the rebel authorities
said to our noble Governor of Tennessee, 'We will throw wide open the
prison doors and let you out, if you will swear allegiance to our
government,' what was his reply? 'You may sever my head from my body,
but I will never take the oath to the Confederate Government.'"

[Illustration: W. B. Stokes, Representative from Tennessee.]

Mr. Conkling said: "I should be recreant to candor were I to attempt
to conceal my amazement at the scene now passing before us. Only eight
short days ago and eleven States were silent and absent here, because
they had participated in guilty rebellion, and because they were not
in fit condition to share in the government and control of this
country. Seven short days ago we found one of these States with
loyalty so