The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1866-02-07
Free Il Il, e MS Bureau.

A bill for the enlargement Of the colored
bureau is under discussion. During the de.
bate all the orators of congress ventilated -
, Much to the surprise of the SUPERFICIAL, Hon.
Mr.. Rousseau, of Kentucky, the popular union
ex-general, opened a battery on Friday last
against the RAIDS. 1t is reported as both able,
brilliant and true. To the exclusion of pre-
pared local matter, we give place for con-
deusaton Of it:
Mr.. Rousseau said he did not justify any
! wrongs, tut rose to discuss the bill under con.
sideraticn. He was opposed TO it, not from
personal spite, but because if this oppressive
measure was passed, it would lead to the injury
OF those it claimed TO protect. He was NOT
| republican,, but he had acted with the union
party, and he was sorry to say that the repb-
lican party and the union party were not al.
ways the same. During the last four years he
had voted with the republican party to put down
the rebellion, and had given it Il hearty and
honest support The object OF the war at the
outset was declared to be to suppress the rebel
lion, defend the constitution, and to restore all
the states to the dignity and rights which
they enjoyed before the contest began. He be
lieved that the republican party would save
the union, because they expressed The will of
the people. There were no armed rebels to
make war, and should they, with such standing
armies as they could always obtain, talk about
war with the unarmed men and women Of the
south? This bill was an absolute disgrace, not
only in his judgment, but in that Of those who
would suffer by it. Take care, he said, Of the
negroes; he would stand by those who would
DO SO; but do not place such power in the hands
of bad men, who would be sent into the south.
The whole thing was without warrant, and
washed away the constitution, and also the
laws Of Kentucky. He then remarked that
| there was treedmen's Bureau in Alabama,
but that could not prevent the hanging which
Mr.. Kelley referred TO. So far as he under
stood the Frecdmen's Bureau in Kentucky, it
by its indscretion harrasscd loyal men. Let
US do right ourselves before we demand it OF
| others. There was no reason whatever for
the illegal and unconstitutional legislation pre-
posed. After all the sacrifices to put down
the rebellion. by the union men, they had been
told by the gentleman from Pennsylvania MIR.
Stevens). and by the gentleman from Ohio
| (Mr. Shellabarger), and the other extremists,
| that the south is out OF the union, and that the
constitution must be amended SO as to keep
the republican party in power. With him
| (Rousseau) northern and southern secessioniSts
are the same. He held position from which
he could not be driven; which is. that every
ctlZen oil The United States nOluS paramount.
allegiance to the general government, and
such allegiance, when given, entitled every
such citizen to all the protection which could
be offered. The war was, he repeated, for
the union; and this purpose was declared di-
rcctly after the battle OF Bull Run; but now
they were gravely told that the southern states
were out of the union. lie referred to the re-
| tusal of the house to admit members elect
from Arkansas, to the privileges OF the floor,
and to the members from Tennessee being de.
MED admission TO their seats. These men
were earnest in the support OF the union cause
and rendered efficient service in the field
Mr.. Delano, OF Ohio, made an explanation
which was called forth by remark OF Mr..
Rousseau, and said that he repudiated, rs ut
terly groundless, the assertion that the states
are dead. They live; and, by the blessing Of
God, they will live, as long vs. the United
States live, as part and parcel OF our COM
mon country. He was ready TO admit the
members from Arkansas aud Tennessee to
this floor, and it was due to The country that
this lie done and speedily.
Mr.. Rousseau concluded his remarks, de
nying that the southern states are out oil the
union. Secession was bad at the beginning of
the war, bu: we are now told by gentlemen it
was good thing The very ground that JEFF
ferson lavis occupied, that the states could Sc
cede, was new occupied by gentlemen Oh this
floor; but, said Mr.. rousseau, we will appeal
to the people to come back to the OLD platform
of the union, the constitution, and the enforce
ment Of the laws. Loud applause