Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-01-27

SERENADETO SENATOR HARLAN-Iast NIGHT
large number of citizens of Iowa together
with other friends o. Secretary Harlan re
paired 20 his residence and compliment ted him
with a seTenade.
William Duane Wilson, Esq. informed the
Secretary that this was in view of his distin-
gulshed services as a citizen of Iowa while Of
hclsily engaged IN Washington, and his recent
electio n 10 the Senate
DIT: Harlan, in response, said:
rtttog-cltlEeRS Of I0IcG: In expressing my
GRATITUDE for this call, IL may not be nappro-
pirate to respond TO the kind illusions made
oy one OF your number TO my services. Here
tOtore have not done anything formally to
enute me 20 this distln ction, unless II was an
ehoeaNor faithfully and perslstentIy TO dis
charge my duty as a representative of your
State while occupying position in one of the
branches Of Congress and since that period TO
deyote n yself with equal vigilance and fidelity
10 nay public duties member of the great
Union party of the whole country.
L presume i am indebted for this compli-
ment 10 the recent action of the Legislature of
Iowa in giving me the legal right 10 anticipate
the acceptance OF a seat in the United States
Senate some year and half hence. can only
say, with regard 10 that event, am not foolish
enough TO disguise the fact that il Is personally
gratifying 10 me as an endorsement OF my Off.
Cial services at the Capital, and imposes upon
me additional obligations of fidelity to princi-
pie and vigilance IN the performance Of my
public duiies.
You will scarcely expect of me on this occa-
sion to address yOu on the general SUBJECT of
national affairs, but there is one great question,
TO which will briefly allude, now agitating
TL.
and that is the terms on which our brothers
who reside in the districts recently in rebellion
shall be permitted 10 affiliate with their
brothers of the other States. The rebellion has
been So bstantially crushed, and the fact is ad-
United by all; and the terms on which they
shall be admitted TO full membership viii the
representatives of the other States OF the Union
Is the only great question which occupies the
mind of the American people. In some States
the question is attended with difficulty in con-
sequence of the great incongruity of the popu-
latlOn, one half of them having been in bondage
and abject slavery: while some doubt the pos
sIoIllty of their assuming and wisely dscharg-
Ing the duty Of American citizens. i appre-
bend that none Will now doubt that they must
forever remain free. iApplause-l There are
none who suppose they can be shifted from this
country 10 other Chimes. If this four millions
must forever be free, and they and their pos
trrity remain in this country. / presume no
wise statesman thinks that, for a long time
they can be deprived Of citizenship. The time
81 which they shOuld be- admitted is question
TO be decided by the Senators and Representa-
tyes Of the United States.
partial reOrgaH iZation of the States has
taken place. The leaders in the rebellion have
gwen up the struggle as worse than futile. and
they cannot hope in the future TO sever the
Union, and must, therefore, remain in it, and
as citizens, render obedience to the laws. We
had no right TO expect they would at once ac-
qulesce and admit those who were once slaves
10 equal rights of citizenship. But the safety
of the Republic Is more important Many of
our wisest fnanciers doubt very much whether
70 would be safe TO admit them in their present
condition, with nearly cne-half of the popula-
lion excluded from citizenship, and that half
the most loyal part OF the population. They
fear that under the present organization, with
The local gov ernmEnts in the hands OF those
who have recently been IN rebellion, The Union
men will be- in 4 very lean minority, and think
70 no more than right that those who recently
had their hands red with the blood of the loyal
people of the country should not fully manage
The local affairs of those States.
Some doubt whether the liberated race have
sufficient knowledge 10 participate in all the
rights OF American citizenship; but for myself,
! have never disguised il that il is much safer
10 trust an ignorant loyal man than a wise
rebel Applause 81 would prefer TO secure
the iC val minority by uniting them with those
who ave heretofore been in bondage, but are
now RE, in order 10 secure, if not majority,
strong minority a. leass, 10 exact just terms
Of reorganization.
1 need hardly say that during the brief period
may remain in my present position j shall not
fail 20 discuss these opinions or urge my opin-
IONS in the proper quarter; nor am disposed
10 say tonight that such views would be dis
tasteful TO the great and good man who is the
chief of the Republic. Heretofore he has had
the capacity 10 speak for himself. ! believe it
hiss been his purpose TO leave the great ques-
lion Of admission with the two Houses of Con-
Fress Applause i thank you, gentlemen,
for your compliment, and now invite you to
walk in and make the acquaintance Of my
family.
The invitation was accepted without hesita-
tOn, and the party was hospitality and gem
eTUusly entertained.