a condition of representation here, and
admit its members to seats here; but since yesterday there has arisen
a state of things which the committee deem puts it out of their power
to proceed further without surrendering a great principle; without the
loss of all their dignity; without surrendering the rights of this
body to the usurpation of another power. I call the previous
question."

Strenuous efforts were made by the Democratic minority to defeat the
proposed joint resolution by means of "dilatory motions." Repeated
motions were made to adjourn, to excuse certain members from voting,
and to call the House, on all of which the yeas and nays were called.
This "parliamentary tactics" consumed many hours. The minority seemed
resolved to make the passage of the resolution a question of physical
endurance. In reply to a proposition of Mr. Eldridge, of the minority,
that they would allow business to proceed if debate should be allowed,
Mr. Stevens said: "It is simply the return of the rebels of 1861. I
sat thirty-eight hours under this kind of a fight once, and I have no
objections to a little of it now. I am ready to sit for forty hours."

Late in the evening, a member of the minority proposed that the House
should take a recess for an hour, that the door-keeper might have the
hall fitted up as a dormitory. From indications, he thought such
accommodations would be necessary. At length, Mr. Eldridge said: "We
know our weakness and the strength and power of the numbers of the
majority. We have not had the assistance which we expected from the
other side of the House in our effort to obtain the privilege of
debating the resolution. We know perfectly well that it has become a
question of physical endurance. We know perfectly well that we can not
stand out against the overpowering majority of this House any great
length of time. We know if the majority will it, the resolution will
pass without debate. We have done all we could. We therefore yield to
that power, and throw the responsibility of this most extraordinary,
this most revolutionary measure, upon the majority of the House."

To this Mr. Stevens answered: "The gentlemen accept their situation
just as Jeff. Davis did his--because they can not help it. [Laughter.]
I confess, sir, for so small a number, they have made a most venomous
fight."

The vote was then taken upon the concurrent resolution, which passed
the House--yeas, 109; nays, 40.

The hopes which had ari