The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-02-14

the black man, there is more honor in emnlov.
ing him and paying him what his laboris worth
than the.s ID in appropriating his services
without pay; and II there is any degradation
involved in the employment Of Africans. then
three hundred and 6fty thousand Of the citi.
sens Of the United States ore most deeply
degraded people, Sir, there 10 no occasion for
fearing this degradation. When gentlemen
speak Of the superiority Of the Anglo-Saxon
race, and Of its ability to take care Of itself,
they speak 20 proudly and to which they are
SELF; and that, when they claim this superiori.
y, they are claiming it for both parties to this
contest. We, ike sensible men, should follow
the example get % in history, and The practi
cal sxanpls oct us BY the rebels, and make
use Of al the means that will aid us in crush
Ing this rebellion in the shortest possible time.
II black men can help az, lot them do it. We
want the Republic ssved. Let IA be not too
fastidious shout the means. The nation may
die while ws discuss. Let NJ not fear dsgrs.
dation viii result to rs if We use the same
means which the fathers OF the Republic used.
But, sir, 1t 10 said that this measure will de-
moralize the Army. I wsnt to know whether
the army ct New Orlsans il demorslissd nov?
Black men are used there. want to know
whether General Jscksou's army in 1914 vas
demoralizsd! He used colored soldiers. II
want to know whether the army Of the Reyo-
luton was demoralized? Persons Of African
descent we're used then II not, what danger
are We 70 spprehend from the passage Of this
bilH We propose to do over again Just what
has been done heretofore, and what Is now b..
ing done to . limited extent in our Army and
Navy, and which would have been done to
greater extent the law had been sufficient to
that end. We are already employing negroes,
and hope that We shall carry on the system Of
resorting to their aid until, By our own power
and theirs, We shsll save the nation, not With
New England left out, but with every foot Of
territory belonging to it at the commencement
Of the war. But, sir, what right have gentle.
men upon the other side Of the House to come
hsrs land SANDER our soldiersfi They tell us
that our Army will be dsmoralizsd, that they
Wl9 throw down their arms, desert our stand
ard, and let the country 70 to ruin. rather thsn
have few independent hero teriments an.
Epleyed in the service Of the United States
This Is base Islander on the brave men in the
Army. No Islander more vile against class
Of brave and patriotic men ever fell from the
lips OF man. Sir, do the men who make these
statements know under what obligation the
soldiers they defame are resting? II they do
not, let me give them the information. Every
soldier who has entered our Army has FIRST
taken upon himself the following oath:
II do solemnly swear that will bear true al
legiance to the United States of America, and
that will serve them honestly and faithfully
against oil their enemies or opposers whatsoev.
er, and obey the orders Of the President Of the
United States, and the orders of the officers ap-
pointed over me, according to the rules and ar
tisles for the government of the armies of the
United Statea"
Every man who is to day standing uuder the
dag Of the nation has taken upon himself the oh.
legations of that oath. want to know wheth-
o. gentlemen spon the other side are prepared
TO stand BY the declarations they have made
that these men, disregarding that oath, disre-
gsrding their obligations to their country, dis
will turn their backs upon the flag, leave the FIELD
and let armed rebellion destroy the Republic!
However much gentlemen may hope for such re
suits, do not believe they will ever realize
them. Ibelieve our soldiers went into the Ar
my. for the purpose Of saving this nation.
believe that they will discharge their duty, and
that the nation will be saved in spite of all the
attempts, South and North to prevent it.
But let me call attention to another fact in
connection with this objection to the bill. Many
gentlemen upon the other side of ths Chamber
said that We are tending toward military des-
potism. Let Us look at that proposition for Q
moment What do these gentlemen mean when
they tell 10 that the Army is opposed to this
measure? If our legislation is to be controlled
BY such considerations, how far are we removed
from . military despotisn? To Congress is
delegated the legislative powers of the Govern
ment. We propose to exercise those powers,
but are told that We must not, because the army
is opposed to our proposed action. II We yield
to this objection, shall We not in effect turn over
the legislative power Of the Government to the
Army! Gentlemen on the other side, BY rails
ing such an objection, show their willingness to
submit 20 military despotism, provided it will
enforce their views, advance their interests, and
keep men In slavery. lido not believe the Ar
my will revolt; nor do believe that it 10 our
business 70 inquire into the particular sentiments
Of any man or cot Of men, when We are called
upon to exercise our high constitutional fune
lions In easing laws for the government Of the
nation. But there d no danger; the Army 10
patriotic !; their hearts are In the work !; aud /
believe that Ne shall have peace ~ the resslt
Of the efforts they are making. The Army win
attend to its dsty If We attend to oura They
know what their duty ID, and they have patriot
ism sufficient 70 carry them to the end Of their
glorious work. g,s1 ii s IT..
But, Dir, 70 pat the case in relation to the Ar
ny - strong q possible, the gentleman from
Ohio III. Cox1 made The following statement,
which l suppose be intended - . compliment 70
the Irishmen In the Army. Hs said: "Why,
Ar. Speaker, perhaps one third of your present
Army 10 made up Of Irishmen." Well I think
that statement il pretty strong. To cay that In
an army Of nine hundred thousand men three
tainly giving the compliment handsome proper.
tions. But be says further: zait = q
I'VE know that great part of the spirit of
our army comes from the Celtic stock. Look
at your Massachusetts, regiments I think that
you win find In those regiments . msjority Of