Charles Sumner, his complete works, volume 12 (of 20)

Volume 12 — THREE CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE RECEPTION OF SENATORS FROM A REBEL STATE.

Reading edition

Resolution in the Senate, March 8, 1865.

Illustration from Charles Sumner: his complete works, volume 12 (of 20)

March 8th, at the Extra Session, called for executive business, the Senate having under consideration the credentials of William D. Snow as Senator from Arkansas, Mr. Sumner submitted the following resolution, which was ordered to be printed.

Resolved, That, where a State has been declared to be in insurrection, no person can be recognized as Senator from such State, or as claimant of a seat as Senator from such State, until after the occurrence of three several conditions: first, the cessation of all armed hostility to the United States within the limits of such State; secondly, the adoption by such State of a constitution of government republican in form and not repugnant to the Constitution and laws of the United States; and, thirdly, an Act of Congress declaring that the people of such State are entitled to representation in the Congress of the United States.[182]

Notes in this chapter

Note 1 · This last requirement was the substance of a concurrent resolution of the two Houses of Congress, adopted in the House February 20, 1866, by