o representation here? Is it the views of the
members of the House of Representatives? Do we stand in need of any
light, however bright it may be, that may come from that distinguished
quarter? Are we going to ask them to illuminate us by wisdom, and
report the fact to us whether those States are entitled to
representation on this floor?

"Mr. President, on the first day of your assemblage after the battle
of Manassas, you and they declared, by joint resolution, that the
object for which the war was waged was for no purpose of conquest or
subjugation, but it was to preserve the union of the States, and to
maintain the rights, dignity, and equality of the several States
unimpaired. While that war was being waged there was no action, either
of this house or of the House of Representatives, declaring that, when
it was over, the existence of those States should be ignored, or their
right to representation in Congress denied. Throughout the whole
contest the battle-cry was 'the preservation of the Union' and 'the
Union of the States.' If there was a voice then raised that those
States had ceased to have an existence in this body, it was so feeble
as to be passed by and totally disregarded.

"Sir, suppose this committee should report that those States are not
entitled to representation in this body, are you bound by their
action? Is there not a higher law, the supreme law of the land, which
says if they be States that they shall each be entitled to two
Senators on this floor? And shall a report of a joint committee of the
two houses override and overrule the fundamental law of the land? Sir,
it is dangerous as a precedent, and I protest against it as an humble
member of this body. If they be not States, then the object avowed for
which the war was waged was false."

Mr. Hendricks, of Indiana, said: "I shall vote against this resolution
because it refers to a joint committee a subject which, according to
my judgment, belongs exclusively to the Senate. I know that the
resolution no longer provides in express terms that the Senate,
pending the continuance of the investigation of this committee, will
not consider the question of credentials from these States, but in
effect it amounts to that. The question is to be referred to the
committee, and according to usage, and it would seem to be the very
purpose of reference that the body shall not consider the subject
while the question is before them. I could not vote for a resoluti