The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1862-02-06
speech ex-senator iImrIan--Gar-
frtt nu,ls

lhc lolloNuS are inv tCtnItHA Ot Mr.
Harlan, of Iowa. in reply to Mr.. Davis. of
Kentucky; delivered in The L. :. Senate.
Jan. 22d 1862:
Mr.. HARLAN (Rep., lowa( MIR. Prssi-
dent, do not intend to reply in detail To-
the somewhat extraordinary speech that
has just closed, for two rcasuns satisfactory
to- myself In the first place, should hard
ly hope to equal tho cloqucncc and learning
that have been displaycd; and in the second
place, agree too fully with tany things
that have been said to make il necessary tor
me To attcmrt detailed response to the
speech will SAY, however. and | trust
the Senator will pardon me for the alluson,
that II does seem to mo that the whole
speech has been little ill.tilncd, and cs-
pccially that part of the speech which
makes il necessary for me to say one word.
The Senator has expressed the hope that
the nendng slavery question may not agi-
tate this body and the country; and yet, as
extraordinary as 1t may seem in connection
with that expression. he himself has un-
necessarily detained the public business of
the country for more than au honor in the
discussion of that very question. Sir, what
| il the question before the Senate? The
propricty or the impropricty of retaining as
I
from Indiana. Now, ask what pcrtincncy
to that question has been the whole speech
which has occupied the Senate for more
than two hours to-day? make this remark
not for the purpsc, not with tho desire oi
! chding the Senator who has taken his scat,
/ hut | wish the Senator To- bear me witness
! here, and tho country To take notice of the
| fact that every long lahurcd excited discus
! sion ut the slavery question that has taken
| place i'll this Chamber for the last ak years,
! during which have had the honor to occu-
ny u seat here, has been luggcd IN the man
ncr, and by gentleman holding seats from
Shvcholding States.
Mr.. DANlS-Will the gentleman allow
me to say word?
Mr.. HARLAN
Mr.. DAVIS confess to the gentleman i
impeachment that great part of my spcccl,
was Inappropriate; but il was Designed i'll
some measure to meet the numerous pcti
tons that have been presented 10y the Soma
tor from Massachusetts, and other gentle
men upon this floor.
Mr. HARLAN will, however, Mr.. Prcai
dent, while | am on the floor, and before
allnlc to the proper question OF discussion
attempt to set myself right on the point al
udcd to by the Senator. When made the
remarks to which he evidently alluded, this
body was entertaining Senate Joint rcsolu
ton No. %, which proposes To authorize the
commander Of the army in the Wcstcrl
Division, Including Kansas, to muster int,
the United States service such persons a
may present themselves for that purpose
and organize them therefore, and [,
retain them therein such length of time NJ
in the opinion Of such commander the cxi
ycncies of the service may require. Thi
was opposed ON the ground that tho com
m,ndcr of that division of tho army might
using his personal description, muster int
the service of the United States Indian
and persons of African descent. exprcssc
myself in favor of the proposition, aud il
= reply to some remarks dropped by III
Senator from Delaware (NIr. SuIsbury),
stated that |, individually, hal no ohicctio
To mastering into the service Of the Unite
States men color, either Indians or ncgruct
and attempted in few brief remarks, I
od that conld perceive no reason why q
able hodicd man, native born in the unite'
States, should not aid in defending the Con
stitution and the laws. Nor do now pei
ccive reason why this should not hc done
. | know it is said in language pathetic an
eloquent, "What! arm of the slaves agaius
their mastcrs?' ! might make q truthful
appeal still more startling and ask, "N ha
arm the children against their iathers?' :
+ And yet that il being done 10y your inustc
j ing officers every day where the tathC
chances to he II traitor aud "A rebel Ar
you not to permit the young men ot tn
country to arm themselves IN defense OF III
Constitution and the laws. because thel
parent happen to be traitors! You eXorcis
, the right To take my son under the age ,
? twcnty-one years and place HIM betwee
your violated Constitution and the country
foes, regardless "f my rights to his service
= or to the control of his person. Now ] rs
the senator from Kentucky, what better
{ his slave than my son.
| MI. DANlS--Not hall 10 good
g MIR, HARLAN.l will illustrate what
, mean on this subject by suPposinS that til
: Senator, with some ot his wcli-'anght an
t Christian slaves, was engaged III person;
= contest Tor liic ana death between me an
my son. AS we gradually b inc cxhaus
ed on the ono side and the other, !, knov
, Ing full well that the moment | give h
, slaves the iiitimation that ! would protcC
them, they would llco from their master
4 my defense, should he much short of a
; idiot, much short of Il fool, il were not
4 invite them away? The loyal states OF thl
, nation arc now engaged III a contest for il
very existence. On the one side, we hav
} arrayed the loyal old men, and middle-aGc
man Of the country On the other side W
/ have the Rebel owners of slaves array!n
l A. Al Il