Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1863-02-07

dispensed with; that vote shall first be
taken ON the motion to reconsider the vote
by which the main question was ordered on
the negro soldier bill, andethst the House
adjourn, leaving the bill open to amendment
or debate. IL
Ats, o'clock this morning, the House
adjourned.
| THURSDAYS SESSION.
The Negro Soldier bill was taken up.
Mr.. Hickman (Pa.) modified his substitute
by striking out the distinction of white and
colored aS to commissioned officers.
Mr. Maynard (Tenn.) moved to refer the
subject to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr.. Cox (Ohio) said this bill had not
been printed except in the Globe: and in
reply to o question from him.
Mr.. Stevens said lie was of the opinion
that the existing law did not put the Afri-
can soldier on the same footing with white
soldiers. Hence it any of the former be
captured by the enemy and executed, the
Exec utive would not have authority to
punish or retaliate. The bill under con-
sideration proposed to confer this authority
Mr. Cox (Ohio) said he would prefer hav-
ing the gentleman's opinion to that of the
War Department The gentleman knew
that the law placed colored persons now in
the army under the rules and articles of war.
They receive pay and rations in all respects
!, as part of the army. Then let it be known
; where is the necessity of this bill
, Mr.. Washburne Qll.) inquired whether
, the gentleman did not vote for the existing
! law2 90.
MIR. Cox (Ohio) replied that he did not
and because the infamous 18th and 18th
sections of that bill were not stricken out,
he and his friends voted against it.
: Mr.. Stevens said that in form the old
Y enactment did not put the African soldier
. precisely on the same footing. If the bill
!, now proposed was o re-enactment of that
!, law, what was the objection If it altered
i law for the better, then it was necessary.
: Mr.. Wadsworth (Ky) rose to speak, when
Mr.. Kellogg Qll.) objected to further de-
bate, as the members had sat up all last
o night in order to reach an action to-day.
y Mr.. Stevens said it was thought better by
Il those who designed the bill that the ques-
;. ton of bounty should be left out altogether.
\ Mr.. Mallory (Ky.) asked the gentleman
whether the President, under this bill,
would not nave the power to appoint ne
groes to command white men,.
!. Mr.. Wilson Qowa) Compare this bill with
y the existing law, TO show that the black are
!, not proposed to he placed on the same foot
y ing with white men. Did the gentleman
>. think the President would place black Off
GERS over the white men
Mr.. Mallory replied that it was impossible
D. for him to say what the President would do.
C, He said the object of his moving to refer,
lie was that the bill might be deprived of those
t, features which made it odious without a
d countervaiing advantage to the United
lie States. Congress had already provided. that
the President may employ such persons OF
African descent as he may deem useful un
D. der this bill not only black Brigadicrs but
black Major Generals might he appointed
The opposition of the border State men was
not factious. 1t was made in seriousness
ri because it would produce serious injury
10 They had submitted to good many thing:
'g which they considsred injudicious, but h'
er begged gentlemen that when they found il
UT necessary to adopt measures in violation o.
10 their judgment. they will make the dose a:
IL palatahlc by gliding the pill.
Mr.. Dunn Qnd.) was favorable to the po
Icy of this bill. He could see no reason VIII.
,d any man of any color who Is able to lift hi
IN arm for the defence of his nationality, SHOULD
rs. not be permitted to do so. He could see M
ny reason why black mans life should b.
&c, spared, and his own son called upon to la.
10, down his life or why persons who ale con
r. sdered property by those in reheldon,
er should not be be brought in some way int
of active service if they will enlist on the sid
of of the Government. At the same time h
MS was deeply impressed with the ideas throw
of out by the gentleman from Tennessee, in hi
ng brief remarks They must not only considc
e. what is right and proper in itself, but mus
re- pay some Difference to public sentiment am
les prejudice.
re- II was known that there is already in III
he public mind deep prejudice against tn
of blacks being placed on "a basis OF socia
equality with the whites. He did not believ
the President would ever permit black off
,ro GERS to command men. He had no idea tia
no the President was so ignorant of the popula
d;. feeling as to do so foolish thing. Yet III
- less some restrictions arc thrown around thi
bill, those who wish to strengthen and add
tionally disseminate this prejudice will sei2
upon every point 10 accomplish their pu
pose.
Mr.. Mallory said that the bill of Mr.. ST,
y. vens placed the whites and blacks on mil
VI tary equality. If black officer held hight
@ @iso commission, did he not necessarily take I'll
.n m precedence of white officer
I'VE Mr.. Dunn replied that it was because i
he did not wish such 4 responsibility to exi:
,cc in the public mind, that he wished the bi
to provide explicitly that blacks shall NJ
- command white men.
Mr.. Porter Gnd.) offered an amendmer
|. to meet this point.
- Mr.. Mcpherson CPa.) said the author
| this bill would conAne the offering t
white men. Noices--Who h The author.
Name him.
e. Mr. Wiclllitfe author is the Seer
~, tary of War.
Mn Mr. Mcpherson further explained TIN
nv those on whom the responsibility rests
law executing the law will confine the proyisio
10. Of offering to white men, reserving Il
no exception that it might be considered ju
m and proper to appoint as officers blacks VII
no might distinguish themselves by militar
ref ability, instead Of confning them TO Il
nj ranks.
,ot Mr. Dunn had no idea that any man,
IRE the President or Secretary of War, woul
,ld place a black man as an officer over viii
TO man, but he did not wish cayihers TO rai
nv their clamor against this4bill.
nix Mr.. Cox said that, by another section
Ike the existing law, the President can emplC
in. black men in any way he may see prope
so. and organize them for the suppression