The Memphis union appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-07-25
SPEECH OF AN INDIANA SENATOR.

TIE following sound speech was delivered
in the Senate of the United States on the 18th
inst. By the Hon. Jos. A. Wright of Indiana
The Negro-Connscatfon
Mr. Wright-We have passed bill on the
subject Of confscation, which gives the Presi-
dent power 10 empty negroes TO work, at his
discretion. | believe he had the power with
out that bill and l will take this occasion to
say to my friend from New York Mr.. Harris)
that far as the exercise of that power is
concerned by the Generals, my information is
not Of the character he gives to us in the let
ter from General Mcclellan. / have letter
before me- written in the South, from gen.
tleman that l have known for many years,
and / propose now to read extract from il
in relation to the effect of General Halleck's
order No. 8. My friend writes, follows:
% HsIIeck's Order No. 3.
qHaleck's order No. ) has killed at least
ten thousand of your Western soldiers. You
can see them in every car and ON the corners
of every street. AT Hamburg, four miles
above Pittsburg Landing, there were two
thousand seven hundred soldiers sick, and six
hundred had been taken away the Gay before
we were there | saw detachments of our
troops making roads in the hot sun; I saw
the boats being unloaded by them; and, in
fact, young men, noble men who had sprung
| to arms to save the country, were performing
| labor which was enough to break down the
| constitution of the strongest and most robust
| and / did not see q single black man at
work at any of the landings on the Tennes-
see or Cumberland rivers; but / did see two
stout fellows blacking the boots of rebel pris-
| oners on board the steamer Uncle Sam at
Pittsburg Landing.'
Anything for the Republic.
| M.
| vouch for as = man of responsibility. lie
| sent me another fact. He inclosed to me a
list Of four hundred and seventy sick men
who were then on board one steamer, most of
whom were from my own State and Ohio;
and out Of the whole list but three we're
wounded in battle. They were all afflicted
with the diseases of that country, as shown
from the list opposite to each name, and but
three were wounded. / only refer to this t.
show the fact that while go far as any
man in prosecuting this war, in upholding
the generals in the field, in sustaining any
proposition that may be necessary, to employ
these men, not only to work and labor, but
win do whatever else may be necessary, with
the vast means God has given US to save tbs
life of the Republic. But, sir, / wish to pro
test against bringing this subject again befor'
the Senate day after day. When il has beer
once passed upon, think we ought to be sat
isfeG. We have solemnly passed bill giving
this power to the President; and if he viii
not exercise the power, do not know wha
more we can do than to enact new article o
war. This, however, is not the direct subjec
to which desire 10 call the attention of tn
; Senate.
! Bounties.
Ny first proposition on the subject of thi
bill is this / have believed from the com
mencement of this war; and l am more con
hrmed in that belief every day, as it progresses
| ! that we have not relied enough upon the ps
triotism of this country. Had the dI afting
this bill fallen upon me, should have ineol
porsted wisinin it no such provision for bour
ty, as l find is herein proposed for nine an
twelve months men. would not encourag
the States in offering the liberal bounties the
are new giving throughout New England an
elsewhere to induce the enlistment of men.
Patriotism NOT Cash.
have desired to see direct propositio
:, from the General Government, presented
the patriotic people of the various States
my country at this perilous time to our hop
and institutions, that would go to, and arou
the deep, earnss. heart of every man With
a- them. Patriotism and generosity are Il
proudest attributes of this great people. Ca
II upon them earnestly, appeal to them for Il
exercise of these noble virtues, and we shou
DeuOlU cOmPau1 hALcE q
ter regiment, aglow with the kindlings of Ii
erty and love of their blood-eemented cou
try, with arms nerved to the fury Of any co
I. hict,
y stComing the winds when forests rended
Coming AS the waves come when nnSies are stranded
marching to the field, clothed, furnished, "
and armed, if necessary, by their own meal
to put down this unholy rebellion. Sir,
there is not patriotism enough in this count
ly to save it fear it will perish; dare not trl
NO its salvation to these liberal bounties
,s Severity tine Greatest Mercy.
There was great deal of truth uttered
Gen. Wallace, of my own State the otl
night, in those magic words: We scarst
al, make icar" Sir, we haze to make soar
sOa,ut to make tcar. There was much fol
also in the reply made the other day by an
Ger in Alexandria, where he was asked by
commissary department. what he wanted
soant ropes in Alexandria" 1t was 8 laco
reply, but it meant q great deal. prop
'rs. for few moments to look at few facts q
stare US ia the face. What has been the G