Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-12-22
Gaatrbman & Stair Journal.
BY E.P. WALTON
MONTPELIER. DECEMBER %. 1865.
THE FREEDMEN QUESTION IN THE


The FREEDMEN QUESTION IN THE
SENATE.
The operator Of the telegraph-office in the
capitol at Washington informed the associated
presses on Wednesday last that the subject
Of protecting freedmen has been debated in the
Senate. A debate in that body on the per-
sonal rights Of four millions of people, who
have been made free by the Constitution Of
the United States, aud who yet are not really
free, it seems was not worthy OF any further
notice by the censor Of the Senate. Now we
have received our copy Of the always reliable
Globe, and we hasten to do what the operator
of the telegraph ought TO have done that is
to make. a syllabus of the first debate on this
great question. 1t is the first chapter in a
new series Of national legislation.
The bill introduced by Senator Wilson of
Mass. declares null and void all acts or regu-
lations, heretofore ip force or now held valid
in states where slavery was abolished by proc
lsmation, which recognize any Inequality
of civil rights, or any distinctions, on account
of color, race, or descent, and Furnishes any
violation by fine and imprisonment.
Senator Wilson desired immediate action
on the bill, but Senator Cowan OF Penn.
moved to refer it to the committee on the iu-
dietary.
Senator Wilson thereupon proceeded to
sustain the bill. The government, he said,
is pledged by the proclsmstions of President
] L.. 10 -. a.. -. l.
those acts was given to the slaves. In fact,
however, the old laws and customs Of slavery
are still enforced, and most mercilessly in
some OF the states, while in other states ne W
laws are being devized which will practically
retain the blacks in degrade ion and make
them slaves Of society or the state, IL no,
slaves to their old masters. In some cases,
they are made servants, in others serfs, and
in all equality Of personal and civil rights is
denied. To prove this be cited laws and
proposed laws in South Carolina, Georgia
Mississippi and Louisiana, and in conclusion
he said
Now, sir, should be willing to have thi.
bill referred but for the loss Of time that will
a
this character we ought to pass, and pass in.
stantly, as matter of justice and humanity
have no desire whatever to say any harsh
things of that portion Of our country. nor Of
the men who have been engaged in the re-
bellion. do not ask their property or their
blood do not wish to disgrace or degrade
them; but do not wish that they shall be
, permitted to disgrace, degrade, or oppresc
eli Fl - a
humanity, as measure that tho n4ads of tina
section of the country imperatiyely demand
at our hands. ! believe that should il pass
it will receive the sanction Of nineteen TWEEN.
,ieths Of the loyal people Of the country
Men may differ about the power or expeden'
; cy OF giving them the right of suffrage bu
how any humane, just, and Christian mar
can for moment permit the laws that are or
the statute books Of the States in insurrec
: ton and rebellion, and the laws that are nov
pending before their lie, islatures, to be exc
cuted upon men whom we have declared Il
: be free, ! cannot comprehend. Therefore
sir, have introduced this bill, AMI | SHOULD
: be glad TO have it put upon it's passage a
once. / have consulted with eminent gentle
: men connected with the Freedmen's Bureau
and they believe that it will be an immense
relief
Senator Johnson. Of Maryland, was no
ready to act on the moment He did not SCI
how the bill could accomplish the purpos,
designed by its author. Very many of tn,
laws Of the states fall within the police power
which had always been conceded to States
and he supposed the late slave States will
have the same power hereafter. He confessed
that he was anxious TO prevent any violation
OF the rights OF the black race, but ne did no
see any pressing necessity for extraordnsr,
legislation to protect their rights certainl,
no more than there is to prevent outrages up
! on white citizens all over the country. Grimes
and ou,rages prevail everywhere, but sure
ly that fact would not. warrant Congress il
repeating every State statute which is suppos
a ed to imply or create an inequality between
diifersn, races. He gave it his opinion
4 that the late rebel States have not forfeited
: their rights as States, and that Congress ha
, no new power over them, and no other pow
er gro~ing out of the rebellion than what i
3 always had-tha; is, the power to suppress
rebellion. +" The insurrection terminated
! 60 Instant they were invested with all tn,
rights belonging to them originally" a
/ States.
SIR. Co wan Of Pennsylvania was exceeding
ly DESTROYS that by some means the natura
rights Of all people in the country, no matter
, what their color may be, may be so secured
to them as that states themselves cannot here
$ after wrest them away. He would open tn
Courts to them all for protection, cut h
doubted whether Congress has power to d.
it, or can have power without an amendmen
) of the constitution. Such an amendment h
: would support, and he believed it could b.
: carried through in a month.
Senator Wilson replied to Senator John
son, and on the question Of the power of Con
gress observed that the Proclamations of thu
President were lawful acts Of war and boun,
Conoraas IN maintain than in good faith il