The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1870-04-09
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
SATURDAY, APRIL 9.
The Negro Senator's Maiden
speech.

About ten years ago, when Jefferson Davis,
then a Senator from Mississippi, threatened tc
withdraw from the Senate, and recommend the
Slave States to secede from the Union, if the
North did so and 30, he was told by Senator Ca
meron of Pennsylvania that if he did so, the time
might come when his seat would be filled by ii
negro. The prophecy has been fulfilled to the
letter, and Senator Revels occupies the seat oil
JEFF. Davis in the United States Senate.
On the 10th of March, at l p. NJ, the bill to
admit Georgia was taken up for debate. 1t had
been noised abroad that Senator Revels was ex-
pected to speak, and the galleries We're crowded
in anticipation. The telegraph informs us that
Senator Morton of Indiana had the floor, but
Welded it in favor of the colored Senator from
Mississippi, who rose and addressed the Senate as
follows:
Mr.. President: 1 rise at this particular juncture in the dis
cussion of the Georgia bill with feelings which perhaps never
l rise, too, with misgvings as TO the propriety of lifting my
voice at this early period after my admission into the Senate.
Perhaps it were wiser for me, so inexperienced in the details of
senatorial duty, to remain a passive listener in the progress of
the debate but when L remember that my term is short, and
that issues with which this bill is fraught are Of moment in
their present and future influence upon the well-being Of my
race, l would seem indifferent TO the Importance of the hour
and recreant TO the high trust impose upon me, II l neglected
to lend my voice in behalf of the loyal people of the South:
Proceeding, he referred to the idea widely disseminated that
antagonism existed in the South between the whites and blacks.
AS the representative OF N latter ne ucHeu Inc CHdfSG ne
referred TO the conduct of the slaves during the war which they
well understood was for their freedom. When left alone with
the wives and children of their masters, who were fighting TO
perpetuate their slavery, they worked for and protected them,
waiting patiently the result of the contest, and for the freedom
for which they Ionged. He maintained that the past record of
his race was an index TO their feelings to-day /; that they bear
toward their former masters no revengeful feelings, no hatred J
aiming, not to elevate themselves by sacrificing a single inter-
est of their white fellow citizens, but asking only those rights
which naturally and legally belong to them. He also expressed
confidence in the integrity of purpose of CONGRESS and the Re
publican party, ia the reconstruction measures, declaring his
belief that they were influenced solely by a patriotic desire TO
serve the whole country. He eulogiZed the conduct of the
negro soldiers, and then reviewed the history OF affairs in
Georgia. He argued against Bingham's amendment, and in
favor of the bill as it or ginally came from the Reconstruction
Committee.
His speech was marked for ~mOdeSty, GOODNESS
and good sense, and when he sat down he received
the congratulations of other Senators and the
marked appreciation of the vast audience attracted
to hear his maiden effort. Senator Morton in
congratulating him, expressed the opinion that in
the exchange of JEFF. Davis for Revels, the Senate
lost nothing in intelligence, while it had gained
much in patriotism and loyalty. Senator ReVels
has certainly won golden opinions from all.