ndment, such State shall, at once,
by its loyal representatives, be permitted to resume its place in
Congress._" This view was generally concurred in by the Western
States; and, if the Southern States had accepted the broad invitation
thus given, there is little doubt that before the close of the year
they might have been restored to the enjoyment of every power and
privilege under the National Constitution. There would have been
opposition to it, but the weight of public influence, and the majority
in both branches of Congress, would have been sure to secure this result.

[(1) Petroleum V. Nasby.]

CHAPTER XI.

The rejoicing over the result of the elections throughout the free
States had scarcely died away when the Thirty-ninth Congress met in its
second session (December 3, 1866). There was no little curiosity to
hear what the President would say in his message, in regard to the
issue upon which he had sustained so conclusive a defeat. He was known
to be in a state of great indignation, and as he had broken forth
during the campaign in expressions altogether unbecoming his place,
there was some apprehension that he might be guilty of the same
indiscretion in his official communication to Congress. But he was
saved from such humiliation by the evident interposition of a judicious
adviser. The message was strikingly moderate and even conciliatory in
tone. The President re-argued his case with apparent calmness and
impartiality, repeating and enforcing his position with entire
disregard of the popular result which had so significantly condemned
him. After rehearsing all that had been done in the direction of
reconstruction, so far as his power could reach it, and so far as the
Thirteenth Amendment of the Constitution was an essential part of it,
the President expressed his regret that Congress had failed to do its
duty by re-admitting the Southern States to representation.

"It was not," said he, "until the close of the eighth month of the
session that an exception was made in favor of Tennessee by the
admission of her senators and representatives." "I deem it," he
continued, "a subject of profound regret that Congress has thus far
failed to admit to seats loyal senators and representatives from the
other States, whose inhabitants with those of Tennessee had engaged
in the Rebellion. Ten States, more than one-fourth of the whole
number, remain without representation. The seats of fifty members
in the Ho