Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1870-03-25
Senator ReyeIs' Maiden Speech.


Senator from Mississippi, delivered his
first speech on the floor of the United
States Senate. The following is the tele-
graphic report of his remarks:
Mr.. PRESIDENT: rise at this particu-
lar juncture in the discussion of the
Georgia bill with feelings which perhaps
never before entered into the experience
of any member Of this body | rise, too,
with misgiVings as to the propriety of
lifting my voice at this early period after
my admission in the Senate Perhaps it
were wise for me, so inexperienced in the
details OF Senatorial duty, to remain a
passive listener in the progress of this de-
bate; but, when | remember that nv
term is short and that the issues with
which this bill is fraught are momentous
in their present and future influence upon
the well-being of my race, would seem
Indifferent to the Importance of the hour
and recreant to the high trust imposed
upon me, if neglected to lend my voice on
behalf of the loyal people of the South.
/, therefore, waive all thoughts as to the
propriety of entering into this discussion,
breaking through generally understood
etiquette of this body. When questions
arise which bear upon the safety and pro.
lection of the loyal white and colored
people of those States lately in rebellion,
l cannot allow any thought as to mere
propriety to enter into my consideration
Of duty. The responsibilities of being
the exponent Of such a constituency as l
have the honor to represent are fully ap-
preciated by me. L have about me
daily the keenest sense of their weight.
and that feeling prompts me now to lift
my voice for the first time in this council
chamber of the nation; and, sir, 1 stand
to-day on this floor to appeal for protec-
ton from the strong arm of the govern
ment for her loyal children, irrespective
OF color or race, who are citizens of the
Southern States, and particularly of the
great State of Georgia. [ am well
aware, sir, that the idea is abroad that an
antagonism exits between the whites
and blacks; that the race which the
nation raised from the degradation of
slavery and endowed with the full and
unqualified rights and privileges of citi-
zenship is intent upon power, at whatever
price 1t can be gained. 1t has been the
well considered purpose and aim of class
not confined to the South to spread this
charge over the land, and their efforts are
as vigorous to-day to educate the people
OF this nation into that belief as they were
at the close of the war; 1t was not I'M
common to find this same class even dur
ing the rebellion, prognosticating a ser.
vile war. 1t may have been that the
wish was father to the thought; and, sir,
as the recognized representative of nv
doWn-trodden people, deny the charge,
and hurl it back into the teeth of those
who make it, and who, I believe, have not
true and conscientious desire to further
the interests OF the whole South. Ger
tainly, any one possessing knowledge of
the colored population of my own or any
other State, need not be reminded of the
noble conduct OF their people under the
most trying circumstances in the history
OF the late civil war, when they were be-
yond the protection OF the Federal forces
Whlle the confederate army pressed into
us ranks every white male capable of
bearing arms, mothers, wives daughters.
and sisters of the Southern soldiers were
lett defenceless, and in the power of the
blacks, upon whom the chains of slavery
were still 4iveted, and to bind those
chains closer was the real issue fer which
so much life and property was sacrificed.
And now, sir, ask how did that race act?
Did they, in those days of Confederate
weakness and impotence, evince the
mallgnity OF which we hear so much !?
Granting, Tor the sake of argument, that
ghey were Ignorant and besotted, which
1 40 not believe ~ yet with all
Their supposed acquiescence and credulity,
they In their way understood, as fully as
you or L, the awful import of the contest.
They knew if the gallant corps of national
soldiers were beaten back and their fac
trailed in the dust, that it was the presaee
OF still heavier bondage They longed.
too, as their fathers did before them, for
the advent of that epoch over which was
shed the hallowed light of inspiration
itself They desired, too with their
fathers, to welcome the feet of strangers
shod with the peaceful preparation of
good news. Weary years of bondage had
told their tale of sorrow to the Court of
Heaven In the councils of the great Father
OF all They knew the adjudication of
Their care, albeit delayed for years in
which patient suffering had nearly ex.
hausted ITSELF would in the end bring
them the boon for which they sighed
GODS most blessed gift to His creatures, -
Inc lnestlmable boon of liberty. They
waited, and they waited patiently. In
the absence OF their masters they protect
ed the virtue and chastity of the defense
less women. Think, sir, for a moment,
what the condition of this land would be
to-day II the slave population had risen
IN serVlle instruction against those who,
month by month, were fighting to per.
petuate that institution which BROUGHT
them all the evils of which they COM
planned. Where would have been security
Tor property, female chastity, and child
hoods innocence? The bloody counter
part of such history of cruelty and
wrongs would have been paralleled only
IN those chapters of Jewish history as
recorded by Josephus, or in the still later
atrocities of that reign of terror which
sent the unfortunate Louis XIV. and Marie
Antolnette to the scaffold. Nay, deeds in
that drama of cold-blooded butchery
would have out -Heroded the most dia-
bollcal acts of Herod himself
Mr. President, | maintain that the past
record OF my race is a true index of the
feelings which to day animate them.
They bear toward their former masters no
reVengeful thoughts, no hatred mo animosi-
Ties. They aim not to elevate themselves
by sacrificing one single interest of their
whlte fellow citizens. They ask but the
rights which are theirs by Gods universal
law, and which are the natural outgrowth
and logical sequence of the condition in
which the legislative enactments of this
nation have placed them. They appeal to
you and to me to see that they receive
that protection which alone will enable
them TO pursue their daily avocations with
success, and enjoy their liberties of citizen
ship on the same footing with their white
npighhOrs and Friends T j. =. -.