The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1863-02-05
COngrcssfOmaI--Pnnsnse of the Negro Reg
isnent BilI.

WASHINGTON, Feb, 2. 1868.
HOUSE.-The house resumed the considers
ton of the bill authorizing the employment o.
colored soldiers and sailors.
MI. Wilson, of lows spoke in favor of the
bill. He said the life of the Republic was Of
more value than the rights of the most cherish'
ed citizen, and infinitely more valuable than
those claimed by slave holders. 1t was pro-
posed by this bill 10 say to the blacks, as Jack
said to them at New Orleans in 1914, that their
services had been too long overlooked. He
referred them to the speeches of Mr.. Cox and
others as calculated to produce dismembermen
| and taid they were but echoes Of the Richmond
papers, If such gentlemen had labored hall
as much to present an unbroken front to the
enemy as they had to produce distrust in the
Administration, we might look for peace before
theInext anniversary of Americana Independence
He had yet to learn that loyal people objected to
any means to suppress rebellion, compel ODE
dience to the Con Institution and laws, and save
the Union, not only with New England, but
with allits territory preserved
Mr.. Cox of Ohio, briefly replied to a portion
Of Mr.. Wilson's remarks. A speech he made
id New York had been misinterpreted, and he
caused to be read q paragraph from Ii 10 SHOW
| the position he took not only III New York but
in Ohio and elsewhere and this was the posi-
ton of the Democratic party. He never would
under any circumstances, consent to a dis
meu,berment Of this repnblic, They should
not be- tabooed because they had warned the
country against the dangers Of fanaticism. He
repeated that Washington, Franklin and 9TH
ers, refused to sanction the employment of
blacks as a general system, which was propos-
ed by this suicidal and Infamous bill. 1t would
10 distrust and dampen potriotism by associa>
ting negroes with white men, and ~disintegrate
the army.
Mr. ALLEN of Ohio spoke against the BILL
He said it was q confession of weakness ON he
mar. of the whites, that the President and the
Republican members of Congress formerly took
the ground that they had neither right. inten~
zion. or Constitutional power to interfere with
slavery III the States, but ther had violated their
pledges.
After some remarks, Stevens moved the pre-.
yious question which was seconded, and the
main question was ordered to be put. The
House first voted o n Maynard's motion to re-
fer the bill and pending amendments to the
| Committee on Military Affairs-lost, AZ TO 50.
The question was then taken on Hickman's
amendment, which was rejected. 1t author~
ICED the President to raise as many regiments,
not exceeding three, of African or colored per
sons of the United States as at his discretion he
might consider necessary.
1t also provides for a line of steamers be-
tween the United States and the coast of
| Africa-as modified by Mr.. Stevens as follows
The president be, and he is hereby authoIiz-
| ed to enroll, arm, equip and to receive into the
land aud naval service of the United States,
such number of volunteers of African descent
as he may deem equal to suppress the present
rebellion, for such term of service as he may
prescribe, not exceeding FIVE years, TO the reg
~ulations Of the branch service into which they
may be enlisted, and to receive the same ra-
tions, clothing and equipments as other voiun>
teers, and a monthly pay not to exceed that OF
the volunteers; to be differed by white or
black officers appointed and commissioned by
the President, and to be governed by the rules
and articles of war and such other rules and
| regulations as may be prescribed by the Presi>
dent.
Provided, that nothing herein contained in
the rules of articles of war shall he so construed
as to authorize or permit any officer OF African
descent, TO be appointed to rank or exercise
military or naval AUTHORITY over white officers,
soldiers or men. in the military or naval service
of the United Strtes; nor shall any greater pay
than ten dollars per month with the usual al
Iotment of clothing or rations be allowed or
maid to privates or laborers Of African descent,
who are or may be in the military or naval ser
vice of the United States
Provided, further, that the slaves of loyal
citizens, in the States exempt by the Presi-
dent's proclamation of Jan. 1st 1868, shall not
he received into the armed service of the Uni
ted States nor shall there be recruiting oth~
cas- opened in either OF, the States of Maryland
Delaware, Western Virginia Kentucky, Ten
nessee, or without the consent of the Govern
ors of the said States having been first obtain
ed. The bill passed by a vote of htiy>hTe
against eighty>fVe. Adjourned.