The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-02-05
REMARKS OF MIR. HAkLAN.

In the Senate, Thursday last, Mr.. Harlan
made the following ssply to Mr.. Davis Of
Kentucky, the subject under discussion being
the ever present "contraband ~
Mr. HARLAN (of Iowa) Mr.. President,
do not intend to reply in detail to the
somewhat extraordinary speech that has just
closed for two reasons satisfactory to myself.
In the first place, I should hardly hope to
equal the eloqucnce and learning that have
been displayed and in the second place,
agree too fully with many things that have
been said to make K necessary for me to at
tempt detailed response to the speech.
will say, however, and trust the Senator
will pardon me for the allusion, that it does
seem to me sbat the whole speech has been
y littleTimed, and especially that part Of the
speech, which makes it necessary for me to
say one word The Senator has expressed
the hope that the unending Slavery question
may not agitate this body and the country !;
and yet, as extraordinary as It may seem in
connection with that expression, he himself
has unnecessarily detained the Senate and
retarded the public business of the country
for more than an hour in the discussion Of
that very question. Sir, what is the ques-
ton now before the Senate The propriety
or the improprety of retaining as member
Of this body the sitting Senator from Indiana.
Now. Iask what pertinency to that question
has been the whole speech which has occu-
pied the Senate for more than two hours to-
day make this remark not for the pur-
pose, not with the desire Of chiding the Sem
ator who has taken his seat, but wish the
Senator to bear me witness here and the
country to take notice of the fact th,t every
labored, excited discussion of the Slavery
question that has taken place in this Cham
Der for the last sixysars, in which have
had the honor TO occupy . seat here, has
beer lugged in in that manner, and by gen.
tlemen holding seats from Slaveholding
States.
Mr.. DAvIS-Will the gentleman allow
me to say . words sk
Mr.. HARLAN-Certaibly a8
Mr.. DAVIS-I confess to the gentleman's
impeaaAWspt that q great part of my speech
was Inappropriate but It was designed in
some measure to meet the numerous petitions
: that have been presented by the Senator from
Massachusetts,, and other gentlemen upon
this floor. ~
Mr.. HARLAN-I viii, however, Mr..
President, while am on the floor, and be-
fore l allude to the proper question Of discus
SION. attempt to set myself right .op the
point alluded by the Senator. When made
the remarks to which he evidently alluded,
this body was entertaining and considering
Senate joint resolution No. 20, which props.
,ses to authorize the commander Of the army
lin the Western Division, including Kansas
TO muster into the United States service
such persons Is may present themselves fol
THAT purpose, and organize them therefor,
.and to retain them therein such length ol
time as in the opinion of such commando,
the exigencies Of the service .asay require
This was opposed on the ground that the
commander Of that division of the army might
using his personal discretion, muster inte
the service Of the United States, Indians and
persons Of African descent. I expressed
.myselfin favor Of the proposition, and ir
reply to some remarks dropped by the Sen
.ator from Delaware, (Mr. Salisbury. I sta
ted that I. individually, had no objection t
,mustering into the service Of the United
States mon ofcolor, either Indians or negroes
and attempted, in few brief remarks, 4
illustrate my view on that subject. Istatec
that Icould perceive no reason who an able
bodied man, native born in the United States
should not aid in defending the Constitution
and the laws. Nor do now pc, ceive rea
son why this should not be done. know
j, is said, IN language pathetic and eloquent
."Whaf ! arm the. slaves against their mas
,tersy' T.might make . truthful appsal st.l
- R2fa