The Carson daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1865-1870, 1870-03-19

Certainly If the following brief re-
port Of Senator Revels' first speech in
the Senate be reported correctly the
citizens of Mississippi have reason to be
satisfied with their representative, while
the colored people have special reasons
to be proud of him. Says the telegraph
under date of Washington, March Is:
At O'Clock the Georgia bill was taken up.
The galleries were thronged, in anticipation
of speech BY Revels.
Morton, who was entitled to the floor, yield
ed in favor of Reveis, who proceeded to ad-
dress the Senate and was listened to through
out with the closest attention. His opening
remarks were as follows: Mr.. President-I
rise at this particular juncture in the discuss
ion of the Georgia bill. with feelings which
perhaps never before entered into the expert
ence OF any member of this body. rise. too,
with misgivings to the propriety of lifting
my voice at this early period after my admis-
sion in the Senate. Perhaps 1t we're wiser
for me, SO inexperienced in the details Of
Senatorial duty, to remain a passive listener
in the progress of debate; but when remem-
Der that my term is short and that the issues
in their present and future influence upon the
being ofmy race, would seem Indifferent
to the importance Of the hour and recreant TO
the high trust imposed upon me if neglected
to lift nv voice in behalf Of the loyal people
of the South. Proceeding, he referred TO the
idea widely disseminating that an antagonism
existed in the South between the whites and
blacks. As representative of the latter he
denied the charge, and referred to the conduct
of the slaves during The war. which they well
understood was for their freedom, when left
alone with the wives ard children of their
masters, who were fighting TO perpetuate their
slavery. They worked for and protected,
them, waiting patiently the result Of the con-
test, and for the freedom for which they long
ed. He maintained that the past record of
hisrace was an index of their feelings to-day;
tina, they bear toward their former masters
no revengeful feelings, 10 hatred, aiming not
to elevate themselves by sacrificing a single
interest OF their white fellow citizens; asking
only the rights which legally belong to them.
He also expressed confidence in the intelli-
gent purpose of Congress and the Republican
party in reconstruction measures, declaring
his belief that they were influenced solely by
a patriotic desire to serve the whole country.
He euiogized the conduct of negro soldiers,
and then reviewed the history of affairs in
oCeieAas ohA aSa.hse
and in favor ofthe bill as IT orig
inally came from the Reconstruction Com
mi:tee.
Upon the conclusion Of his remarks, Revels
received congratulations from many Repub-
lican Senators and others, and then the i'm
mense audience in the galleries, which inclu-
ded many colored, slowly dispersed.
Morton, congratulating Revels, expressed
the opinion that in the exchange of Revels
for JEFF Davis, the Senate lost nothing in in
telligence, while it gained much in patriotism
and loyalty. He proceeded to argue that the
government of Georgia was provisional and
would so continue until actually represented
in Congress, and opposed Bingham's amend
ment as a violation of justice and human
rights.
Howard took the floor, but yielded to a
motion to go into executive session, which
was agreed to, and the Senate soon after add
ourned.