nce to the
Government of the United States. Having once been admitted as States,
they continue so until by some positive act they throw off their
allegiance, and assume an attitude of hostility to the Government, and
make war upon it; and while in that condition, I know we should all
object that they, of course, could not be represented in the Congress
of the United States. Now, is it not a proper subject for inquiry to
ascertain whether they have assumed a position in harmony with the
Government? and is it not proper that that inquiry should be made the
subject of joint action?"

Mr. Guthrie, of Kentucky, wished to ask the friends of this resolution
if it was contemplated that this committee should take evidence, and
report that evidence to the two houses. "If," said he, "they are only
to take what is open to every member of the Senate, the fact that the
rebellion has been suppressed; the fact that the President of the
United States has appointed officers to collect the taxes, and, in
some instances, judges and other officers; that he has sent the
post-office into all the States; that there have been found enough
individuals loyal to the country to accept the offices; the fact that
the President has issued his proclamation to all these States,
appointing Provisional Governors; that they have all elected
conventions; that the conventions have rescinded the ordinances of
secession; that most of them have amended their constitutions and
abolished slavery, and the Legislatures of some of them have passed
the amendment to the Constitution on the subject of slavery--if they
are only to take these facts, which are open and clear to us all, I
can see no necessity for such a committee. My principal objection to
the resolution is, that this committee can give us no information
which we do not now possess, coupled with the fact that the loyal
conservative men of the United States, North, South, East, and West,
do most earnestly desire that we shall so act that there shall be no
longer a doubt that we are the United States of America, in full
accord and harmony with each other.

"I know it has been said that the President had no authority to do
these things. I read the Constitution and the laws of this country
differently. He is to 'take care that the laws be faithfully
executed;' he is to suppress insurrection and rebellion. The power is
put in his hands, and I do not see why, when he marches into a rebel
State, he has not aut