Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-01-31
Senate Debate on the edmen nueT
eau Characteristic Speech OF
Senator Wilson.
WASHINGTON, Jan. %, | S66.


scene of an earnest debate to-day, IN
which Senator Wilsonof Massachusetts
and Senator Cowan of Pennsylva-
MIA. were prominent. Each of these
Senators is a self-educated man of the
people. But they have looked at the
great question of the day from differ
ent standpoints, and while Mr.. Cowaa
to-day yainly endeavored toSresent
the threadbare arguments of conser-
vatism, Mr.. Wilson boldly stood up as
the champion Of the progressive SEN
timents of the times, conquering and to
conquer. The length of Mr.. Wilson's
remarks reluctantly compels US to
present an abridgment of them, which
may give. an idea of the whole:
Mr.. Wilson took the floor on the
Freedmen's Bureau bill, and commenc-
ed his remarks by reminding the Sen
ators that from the I'D of July, 1861,
when Mr.. Trumbull of Illinois report
ed bill making free the slaves used
by rebels for military purposes, down
to the triumphant passage, the other
day. through the House, of the Equal
Suffrage bill, timid friends and oppo-
nents alike have INDUCED in predie
tons in regard to our legislation here.
Although in al cases their prophetic
utteranee have been falsified by time
and the facts, and although the records
Of the country will show to all coming
time that anti-Slayery measures weak
ened the enemies and strengthened
the friends of the country-the anti
slavery measures lifted up our coun-
try in the eyes of the Christian and
civilized world and brought down up
on it the blessings of Almighty God
they still continue to prophesy and to
oppose the completion of the great
work that will establish universal lib
erty in our country.
Mr.. Wilson then reviewed the anti
slavery legislation of the past four
years, and the falsified predictions of
its opponents, and next proceeded to
speak Of the apprehensions expressed
when the Ereedmen's Bureau was be-
fore Congress. He alluded to the
benefits and blessings conferred by
the Bureau, and declared that all the
money. toll and labor expended by its
officers is not equal to one-tenth part
of one per cent. of the increase of pro-
duct added to thecountry, to say moth
Ing Of the peace, the harmony and the
enforcement of Justice at the South
The beneficial operations of the Blu
reau in different States were then re-
viewed by Mr.. Wilson in detail, aud
he then spoke Of the codes of laws be-
ING enacted at the South that practi-
cally make the freedmen a peon or a
seri. Mr.. Cowan undertook here t.
talk OF the constitutionahty OF State
laws. but received a fitting reply from
Mr.. Wilson, who then proceeded TO al
Jude to some remarks made on Satur-
day by Mr. Guthrie. He wanted the
Senator from Kentucky, and all 9th
ers in the Senate chamber and in the
rebel States, to understand that the
men of the loyal States demand guar
antics that no portion of the 'popula-
ton OF the country shall be degraded
or have unequal rights. He wanted
them 10 understand that we believe
IN the equality OF states in the Union.
and IN the equality ofmen in the State,
We believe, he said. in the eonalitv
of States and in the equality of man.
and TINS believing, we demand serur-
rlty for the future before we intrust
power to men again who in the past
We're false and recreant to the cause
Of liberty and to the cause of the conn
try.
The Senator from Kentucky. said
Mr.. Wilson, tells US that he is scr y
to find a feeling of hostility here to-
ward the people of the rebel States:
that he would act as our officers act
meet them as gentlemen and as conn.,
trymen. | too would do the same
thing. | know there is no hostility to
the people ofthe rebel States. sneak
Tor my own State, and | declare that
there are not a thousand men in Mas
who entertain feelinos IF
unklndness toward the people of the
rebel States. On the contrary wa
want them back here. and we want
them with us just as soon as we can
have them with ample guarantees and
securities for the rights of all men
Now, sir, know whereof [ affirm when
| say that the people of the loyal
states who have given their sons to
the putting down of this rebellion de- |
sire that the Southern people shall
come back again; that all the seats
III THESE chambers shall be filled: but /
we want them to come back when we
nave secured ample and irreversible
guarantees for the rights and liberties
d all men, and | tell the Senator from
kentucky further that we mean to have
hem.
L know, continued Mr.. Wilson that
mere are some persons, and there arc
me newspaperS-st arvelino iour-
lals, that exc out their precariors CIV
stence upon the bounty we foolisbIp
ing them-who tell us that the cor
uptlng Influences of public PATRONAGE
'ught to be used to arrest the great
IDEAS and practical measures we cd
ocate IN the adjustment of these great
questions OF reorganizations. Now
ay to all who have entertained tbat !
honght that the people of this conn. !
~ are IN no temper to be sold. They +
ave decided that negroes shall not
e bought or sold and they are eouaI h
unanimous that their Senator's and
representatives shall not sell them
'r government patronage. If there J