Year: 1862

same sum as is now proposed to be paid
for ransom here. The treaty with Algiers,
when obtained. was sacrifice of pride,
and not of honor, to the necessity Of the
occasion. But amid all its unquestionable
humiliation, it was a treaty of emancipa-
tion; nor did our people consider nicely
the terms on which such good was Sc
cured. 1t was hailed by Washington in a
message to Congress as gratifying to ev-
cry feeling heart From document in
our State papers, it appears that annual
appropriations during several years were
made for this purpose amounting to up
ward Of $1,000. 900. To all who now
question the power of Congress. or the
policy of exercising it. commend this
account in its various items. If we con-
slider the population and the resources of
the time, the amount is not inconslerablc.
But the proxess of Decatur was afterward
enlisted to do by arms what was not COM
pletely done by ransom. Great Britain
was aroused to a naval expedition which
abolished slavery in the Barbary States.
And thus euded slavery in the Barbary
States. A single brief effort of war puts
an instant close to this wicked practice
In looking back upon its history we find
much to humble our pride. If we are dis


posed TO mourn that our Government ever
stopped to ransom those who were Justly
free without price, yet we cannot fail to
gather instruction from this great precedent


Slavery is the same in its essential charac-
ter wherever 1t exists. except, perhaps.
that it has received some new barshness
here among rs. There is no argument
against its validity at Algiers which is not
equally strong against its validity at Wash
ington. In both cases it is unjust-Force
organized into law. But in Algiers it is
not equally known that the law was un-
constitutional, as it clearly is here in
Washington. In the early case. Slavery
was regarded by our fathers only as an ex-
listing FACT; and it is only as an existing
fact that it can now be regarded by us in
the present case; nor is there any power of
Congress, which was generally extended
for these captives which may not now be
invoked for the captives in our own streets.
Mr.. Sumner concluded by saying: Mr..
President, if In this important discussion,
which seems to open the door of the future.
1 have confined myself to rwo simple in
quiries. it is because practically they ex-
haust the whole subject. If Slavery be
unconstitutional in the National Capital.
and if it be right to ransom slaves, then
you cannot hesitate to adopt the present
bill. 1t is needless to enter upon other
questions. important perhaps, but irreva-
lent 1t is unnecessary also to consider the
bugbears which Senators have invoked;
for all must see that they are bugbears =
If have seemed to dwell on details it is
because they furnished at each stage in
struction and support. II have occupied
time in curious passage of history. 1t is be-
cause it was more apt than curious, while
il afforded mirror in which we can see
ourselves OF course scorn to argue the
obvious truth that the slaves here are as
much entitled to freedom as the white
slaves that enlisted the early energies of
our Government. They are men, by the
grace of God. and this is enough. There
is no principle of the Constitution, and no
rule OF Justice, which is not as strong for
one as tho other. In consenting to the
ransom proposed, you will recognize their
manhood. and if auth ority be needed. you
will find it in the example of Washington.
who did not hesitate to employ golden
key to open the house Of bondage. Let
this bill pass aud the first practical tri-
umph of freedom, Tor which good men
have longed. dying without the right-for
which whole generation has petitioned.
and for which orators and statesmen have
pleaded-will at last be accomplished
Slavery will be banished from the National
Capital. This metropolis, which bears a
venerated name, will be purified; its evil
spiri. will be cast out; its name will be
removed; its society will be refined. its
courts will be improved. its revolving or
dinances win be swept away. and its 10y
atty will be secured. fyou are not moved
BY Justice to the slave, then act for our
own good and in self defense. Ii you hes
itate to pass this bill for the blacks, then
pass it for the whites Nothing is clearer
than that the degradation of Slavery eff
fects the master as much as the slave,
while recent events testify that where sla-
very exists, there treason turks, if it does
got faunt From the beginning Of this re-
bellion, Slavery has been constantly re-
vealed in the conduct of the masters. and
even here in the National Capital, it has
been the treacherous power which encour-
aged and strengthened the enemy. This
power must be suppressed. and if the sup
preston here endangers slavery elsewhere,
there will be a new motive for the good
work. For the sake Of ourselves, in self
defense. and in the name Of the Constitu-
tion and Of Justice. let it be done.


Gen. Grants Official Report.