Year: 1864

Of Representatives., Nay Al. 1864. 4
Esaau G.: [ooscLuDEDlal saa ss


Experience has already shown tha
negroes suffer as much under avariciou


lessees who are determined to suddenl,
amass wealth by raising cotton as the.
did under their former masters.


This evil Of land monopoly and srycu
lation has become so great in Louisan,
that General Banks was compelled re-
Gently 10 issue an order ,suspending al
sales ofreal estate in the Gulf depart
ment belonging to rebels. In that de.
partment reliable authority states that the
system of leasing lands adopted is but a
feeble substitution for the barbarism ol
slavery temporary, | hope. but if per-
sisted in, and continued for any grea,
length of time, the dominion Of the
northern speculator OVER the freedmen
will be as complete and more cruel than
slavery itself, which in some degree
ameliorates the condition Of its victims
through the interest of the tyrant, who
wishes to preserve the health of the
slave that he may continue TO exact from
him unrequited labor. All efforts to
destroy the institution of slavery will be
futile il General Order No %, Of Feb.
ruary Sd last, relating to the treatment
Of freedmen in the Gulf department, is
to become the permanent policy OF the
Government.


Shall we establish In this Republic a
system of serfdom at the very time when
the Gear Of Russia is emancipating the
serls in all his dominions from the power
of their feudal lords. and granting them
absolute possession and ownership Of the
soil they have cultivated and continue TO
cultivate? We hail with Joy this act OF
monarch which raises millions to the
condition Of freedom, aud empowers
populous people TO enter upon the road
ofprogfess.~ Let us n least keep pace
with Russia in our treatment of those
who labor. | hope that the bureau of
Of emancipation will soon be organized,
and that it may remedy these evils. But
no permanent cure can be effected ex
cept by the adoption of some permanent
system looking to the division of these
immense estates among those who till
them, and who by every rule of justice
are entitled to the fruits OF their labor.


This bill provides that these lands, for
period of five years. shall be set aside
for the soldiers of the Republic, those
serving two years being entitled to eighty
acres. and those serving for a less period
Of time forty acres.


Every good Government is just and
generous to its soldiers none more than
ours. We have paid and are paying
most liberal bounties to those who vol.
unteer in defense Of the Union. We
have granted lands to all those who have
heretofore Tough. our battles. We are
now paying larger pensions to those dis
abled, and to the survivors of those who
have died in the service, than any Gov
ernment on earth. Shall we continue
this liberal policy towards those who
fight in defense Of the country and its
flag :? The brave men who have left
their firesides aud their families, and
have dared all. endured all, and sacri-
feed all, that their country might live,
deserve from that country all Of reward
ths. il is possible to give. What great
er boon have we for our soldiers than a
homestead in genial climate and upon
luxuriant soil, in the very neighbor.
hood Of their sacrifices and their tri.
umphs


This division should be made, not on
ly as an act Of justice to the soldier. but
as a matter OF policy. After We have
subdued by force of arms the people OF
the rebellious States, there will be still
lurking strong opposition to the Gov.
ernment. Guerrilla bands will be or
ganized to destroy property aud harass
loyal men. Who can so well organize
for defense rs the veterans trained BY
long service 10 the field I?


Again, these missionaries OF libert,
will carry with them that spirit OF free
dom early taught them, and intensiiie,
by the sacrifices they have made In it


maintenance. Northern thrift and in


dependence will thus be substituted 70


ignorance and Incidence. Free school


and churches will take the place of slave


pens and whipping posts. Labor viii b
dignifed. being no longer servile. Th
great body Of the people will becom
Fproducers as well rs consumers manu-


fae,urss will be encouraged. the arts wi