The New York herald., 1870-03-17
FORTY-FIRsT CONGRESS-
Second Scsslon.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, March l6, 1870.

Second Session.
SENATE
WASHINGTON, March 10, 1870
PERSONAL EXPLANATION.
Mr.. Ross (rep.) Of Kan, forwarded to the CLERK
and had read certain statements contained In
Washington newspaper OF this morning, intimating
that certain correspondence in connection with the
sale OF the Black Bob Shawnee lands, OF which he
tRoss) had charge, mad been garbed IN Its pubica-
ton Ia consequence OF material omissions. He SAID
1t was true the documents referred to had been pre-
pared under his direction, but that he had embraced
it only such matters he considered essential TO
proper understanding OF the facts by the Senate,
his object being to save unnecessary expense III
printing and facilitate an intelligent presentation OF
the case. letter addressed by him to the Sccre-
tary Of the INTERIOR and recng these facts, was also
read by request or Mr. Ross.
NEGROES ON INDIAN RESERVATIONS
Mr.. WILSON trepl OF Mass, presented the memo.
colored people residing IN the Cnoctaw and Chica-
saw country representing that recent treaty vO.
lated their rights as 10 lands owned ny them, aud
was In many respects outrageous. Referred TO the
Committee on indian Affairs.
POSTAL INTERCOURSE WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES
Mr.. RAMSEY, (rep.) OF Mlnn., introduced bin TO
facilitate postal intercourse win foreign countries,
winch was referred to the Committee on Post Oiices
and Post Roads. 1t authorizes the Postmaster Gen.
eral 10 prescribe and regulate the rates OF UnIed
States postage upon letters forwarded to and re-
celved from foreign countries Win which inLerna-
treaties or conventions; provided thar the United
States postage on such letters shal not any
exceed tile sum Of ten cents per each single rate OI
half an ounce or under.
THE GEORGIA BILL.
At one O'Clock the Georgia bill was taken up, the
galleries being thrOnged IN anticipation OF speecn
by Mr.. kevels the c0ored Senator from MISSISSIPPI,
who had been announced to speak on the subject.
Mr.. MORTON, Qep) OF Ind, who was ennted to
the moor, said he would yield IT In favor of the
Senator from Mississippi
MR. REvELS' SPEECH.
Mr.. REVEIS fcOlOreI n
and spoke as fOllOws:-
Mr.. PREsIDEST-Ir rise at this particular juncture
which perhaps never before entered into the expe-
rence OF any member OF this body rise, 100, with
this early period after my admission IN the Senate
Perhaps IL were wiser Tor me, SO inexperienced In
the details OF Senatorial duty, to remain passive
listener IN the progress OF this debate; but when
remember that my term is short aud that the issues
with which this bill is fraught are momentous IN
their present and future influence upon tue well De-
ing OF my race, would seem l1difYerentito the i'm
pOrtance OF the hour and Indifferent to the hIgn
trust imposed upon me If necessitated to lend my
voice on behalf OF the loyal people OF the South. l.
therefore, waive all thoughts to tue proprety OF
entering into this dlscussion breaking through u
generally understood etiquette OF this body. When
questions arise which bear upon the safety and
protection OF the loyal white and colored population
OF these States lately IN rebellion, cannot allow
any Thought to the mere proprIaty W enter into
my consideration OF duty. The responsibilities Of
being the exponent or such constituency as nave
the nOnor to represent are fully appreciated by
bear 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 or
the nation. And sir, stand to-day ON TINS moor to
appeal Tor protection from the strong arm OF
the government tor her loyal cniIdren lrre-
spectve OF color and race, who are citizens
OF the Southern States. and particularly OF
the great state OF Georgia. ! am well aware, SIT
that the idea Is road that antagOnlsm exists
between the whites and blacks; that that which
the nation raised from the degradation OF slavery
and endowed with full and unqualified rights
and privileges OF citizenship, are intent upon power
ut Whatever pricce 1t can be gained. 1t has been
well considered purpose anu ann Or u claSs-nOG
confined to the S0uthto spread this cnarge the
land and their efforts are as vigorous today TO edu-
cate the people OF this nation into that belief as they
were at the close OF Lne war; 1t was not uncommon
to md this same CLASS, even during the rebellion,
demonstrating servile war. IL may have been
that the wish was father to the thought and, SIR
the recognized representative OF my down -trodden
people, deny the charge and hui 1t back INTO the
TEEN OF those who make It, and who, believe, have
not q true and CONSCIENTIOUS desire TO further che
interests Of the whole South. Certainly any
possessing knowledge OF the coiored population u
my own or any otner State need not be reminded OF
the noble conduct OF that people unoer tile most try
ing circumstances in the history OF tile late war
ine federal forces. While the CoaiederaIe
army pressed into It's ranks every white fLae
capable OF bearing arms, the mothers. wives, daugh-
ter5 and sisters OF the Southern soldiers let
defence ess and In the power Of the backs, upon
whom the chains or slavery were still rveted, aEd
TO bind those chains the closer the real
which 80 much life and property was sacrificed
Ana now, SIR ask now dlu that race act Dd they
III these days or Confederate weakness and impo-
tence evlnce the mallgnity OF which we hear SO
mucn2 Granting, tor the SAKE OF argument, that
tney were Ignorant and besotted wh.cn do not be-
lieve, yet, with all their supposed ignorance and
creduiy, they III their way understood o. luily as
you or the awful port OF the contest They knew
II the gallant corps OF national soldiers bcaCcn
oack and Their dag raled IN the dusG, tnat II was
the presage OF sill heavier bondage. They longed,
t0o rs their fathers did before them, for the advent
OF tlat epoch over Wnicn was shed the aallowed
light OF inspiration itself. Tney desired, too wlGn
their iathers to welcome the feet OF the strangers
shod with the peaceful preparation OF gouo news
Weary years OF bondage had tod their sorrow
to the courG OF heaven. In the councils OF the Great
Father OF all they knew the adjudication of their
case, albeit delayed Tor years In winch patent sur
feiing mad nearly exhausted itself wouid III the end
BRING tlem the boon ior which they sghedGod's
mos blessed gilt To his creatureS-the inestimabie
boon OF liberty. They waited and they waited
patiently. In the absence or their master they pro-
tected the virtue and chastity OF oefenceess women.
Think, Sir, for moment what the condition OF this
land would be to-day If the slave population mad
risen In serye lnsurreetlon against those VINO,
month by month, were lighting 10 perpeJaate that
institution which brought them all the evils OF Which
they complained. Where would have been the
security Tor property, female chastity and child
hoods innocence2 Tne bloody counterpart OF sucn
story Of cruelty and wrong would have paral-
leed only IN those chapters OF Jewish history as
recorded by Josephus or In the still later atrocities
OF tnat reign or terror which sent the unfortunate
LOUIS XVI. and Marie Antoirette TO the scanod.
Nay, The deeds IL That drama OF coid-boodcd
DuJ emery would nave out-Hefoded the most daDoll-
cal acts OF Herod himself.
Mr. President MAINTAIN that the past record OF my
race Is a True index OF the feelings which to-day
male them. They bear towards their former mas
tcrs no reven2elu thoughts. no hatred, aui-
mositles. 1ney aim not 20 elevate themselves by
sacrificing one single interest OF their white fellow
ClJlzcns tney ASK out the rights which are theirs
by Gods universal law, aud which are the natural
outgrowth, the logical sequence OF the condition In
wncn the egis atlve enactments OF TINS nation have
placed tnem. they appeal 10 you and 10 me TO see
that they receive tnat protection which alone VIII
enable them TO pursue their daiy avocaLious win
success, aud enjoy the liberties o citizenship the
same footing Wt their Wnlte nelghDor5 and friends.
do not desire simply 10 defend my race from
unjust and unmeriled charges, but 1 also desire TO
place upon record an expression OF my tul aud en-
tire confidence In tneir integrity OF purpose, wlGA
Vhcn, believe The President. Congress and tae fs.
publican party will meet these questions SO prolific
OF veal or woe, not only TO my own people, DuL To
the whole South. They have been, so Iar as can
read the history oil the times, influenced by no sprL
Of petty tyranny. Tue poet has wei sad
OF tits excellent
To have giants strength; but is tyrannons
TO use II Ike giant
And now nave they used chat power lodged IN
them by the peopeg In acts OF cruelty and oD-
preston toward those who sought read IN twain
this goodly fabric Of fathers tne priceless aerl.