The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-01-01
The Status of the Negro.

The following remarks were made by
Hon. REvERDY JOHNSON, Of Maryland, in
the Senate on the 10th inst, in answer to
Mr.. DAVIS, of Kentucky. Coming as
they do, from one of the best, if not the
best lawyer in the Senate, they will be
read with interest:
Mr. johnson Opp, Md } deemed it perfectly
clear that humanity, which is the highest policy,
demanded the continuance of the exchange of
prisoners. As the negroes in the hands of the
rebels were but few in number he would sug-
gest that an equal number of Confederate pris-
Oncrs should be held as hostages for coored
soldiers. He proceeded to combat the opinion
OF the Senator from Kentucky Davis that
these men should not be protected, and cor
rected his views Of the power of President by
quoting from the Constitution relative to exec
uIiye and legislative powers Even supposing
there was no army Or navy existing to pus
down the rebellion, it would still be the duty
of the President to execute the laws and pro-
vide. therefore the means. Ii foreign foe has
put mis- foot upon these shores, has not the
President the right to cali around all
the facilities which the power Of the gov
eminent can supply? He cannot force men
into the ranks, but he can call for volunteers.
Has not Congress the power to call upon the
slave population to the defence Of the country:
Though the negroes are called property for the
purposes of taxation. they are still persons.
IL is not essential that they should be citi-
zcns to be called upon. Ii they are not citi-
zens they are men. But being property they
must be paid for if thus called out in
pursuance of the power given to the President.
1t might be admitted, he thought, that in the
eye OF the Constitution slaves are property in
those States where they are held, but they
are persons also. Representation in Congress
is based upon the fact that they are persons.
Though slaves they are men. They owe allie
glance by birth, and though the Supreme Court
has decided that under the clause defining the
jurisdiction of the court, they are not citizens
in relation to other clauses OF the Constitution
it may be far different They have the protec
ton of the government to a certain extent at
least. and why should they not contribute to
its defence? As property they may be taken
for the public use compensation TO their
owners being made. AS to the compensation
some complaints have been made, and justly
perhaps, as the Sena er thought, in regard to
the manner in which the law had been executed
by some Of the agents Of the government.
This however, should not induce the senator
to lift his voice IN the Senate. or his arm out
of it. 70 weaken or cmbarrasS the govern
nlent in its efforts to suppress the rebellion.
When the authority OF the government is re-
stored to its full extent then inquiry might
and would be made in all such matters. As 10
the slave himself, compensate the owner for
all his rights and convey them to the public.
| He Johnson had never doubted that the en-
| ploylncut OF the slave III the military seryiceof
| the country, i}JSo t;sct0 emancipatcd him. IL
| would lie disgraceful after the employment OF
! colOred men to defend its existence, if this gov
| eminent should permit them to return to sla-
very. He thanked God they never should be
| re-enslaved. 1t gave him pleasure to rcincm-
Der that, when lie formerly had the honor OF
occupying scat or this floor in 1917. he de-
clared in debate upon the subject OF slavery,
! that it was wrong as a system, morally and po-
liticaly, and especially economically slavery
was indefensible. The people OF this country
were rapidly becoming wiser on this subject
In conclusion he said the Constitution will
be returned to us in its original excellence. and
| the men who have violated it will be held to
account; but until that day comes We should
| with one heart and voice unite in eXerting tHe
whole moral and physical power of the goyS
eminent in putting an end. now and forever.
| to an ambitious unprOvOlied and reasonable
| attempt to destroy government The best ever
| vOuchsafed to man, and by destroying it cOnsti-
! tutional liberty itself would be destroyed.