Year: 1866




and transfer his allegiance, sympathy, and
support from you TO them. Will you leave
such a weapon in the power Of your enemies,
when, by timely act Of justice, you can Sc
cure the jealous and unwavering support OF
the black race in every generatoni Through
out this contest the blacks have exhibited the
purest patriotism and the highest wisdom
Can any man name an act done by them that
has been injurious to them as a race or preiu-
dica to the country Or can any one sug-
gest an Emission that has been prejudical to
them or to the country SO will they exhib-
it wisdom hereafter. II we fail in our duty,
we have no right to expect their support in
the future


It is not unreasonable TO expect that in
twelve or twenty-four months several States
recently in rebellion will confer the elective
franchise upon their negroes. In Louisiana
one eighth Of the voting white population,
understand, are in favor Of that measure. We
know that this force must be augmented by
accessions Of loyal men, and for this reason
every Union man in the South who wants
! protection for life, for property, and for bis
own political rights, is compelled by necessi-
ty to ally himself with the negroes. They are
mis- friends, whether they be white or black.
! My chief objection to this proposed restric-
tion is, that the rebel States are not likely to
do any ything more for themselves than you do
for the country when you pass judgment and
establish your policy here. II you put linn
ita,ion or qualification upon the exercise OF
the elective franchise, who does not see that
Its enforcement is a question OF sdministra-
tion And herein there is a difference be-
tween Massachusetts and Louisiana. Our in
spectors and examiners are in favor OF suffrage,
and they desire to give every man the cleo
tive franchise. Every doubt is given to the
applicant. In South Carolina and Alabama
it is a question Of administration and do you
suppose the men who will preside and decide
this question will come to the conclusion that
a negro can read when the result is that he
must also vote Will they accept testimony
that he has been in the Army when they do
not want his ballot brought to bear against
them, as his bayonet frequently was during
the war Do you suppose they will tax him
when they know that taxation gives him the
power to interfere in the Government. More
than that, do not suppose that the colored
men in this District would be safe in coming
to the polls. | am pretty sure that in the
old slave States you would have to muster
the entire black male population, so that they
might go to the polls in safety.


have thus given, with less preparation
than ought to have made for the discussion
of question like this, the views / entertain
upon this subject. But beyond this, when
we proclaimed the emancipation of the slaves,
and put their lives in peril for the defense Of
this country, we did in effect guaranty to
them substantially the rights of American
citizens and a Christian posterity, and other
countries will demand how we have kept that
faith.


Mr.. Speaker, we are to answer for our
treatment of the colored people of this coun-
try, and il will prove in the end impractical
BILE TO secure to men of color civil rights un-
less the persons who claim those rights are
fortified by the political right OF voting. With
the right of voting everything that man
ought to have or enjoy Of civil rights comes
10 him. Without the right to vote he is Sc
cure in nothing l cannot consent, after all
the guards and safeguards which may be pre-
pared for the defense Of the colored men in
the enjoyment Of their rights-I cannot con-
sent that they shall be deprived OF the right
to protect themselves. One hundred and
eighty-six thousand of them have been in the
army of the United States. They have stood
in the place Of our sons and brothers and
friends. They have fallen in defense of the
country. They have earned the right to share
in the Government; and ii you deny them the
elective franchise know not how they are to
be protected. Otherwise you furnish the pro-
lection which is given to the lamb when he
is commended to the wolf.


| There is an ancient history that sparrow
pursued by hawk took refuge in the chief
assembly Of Athens in the bosom Of member
of that illusuious body, and that the senator
in anger hurled it violently from him. 1t fell
to the ground dead, aud such was the horror
and indignation of that ancient, but not Chris
tianized body-men living in the light of ma
ture, of reason-that they Immediately ex-
PEELED the brutal Areopagite from his seat,
and from the association of humane legisla-
tors.


What will be said of us, not By Christian.
but by heathen nations even. il. after accept
ing the blood and sacrifices of these men, we
hurl them from US and allow them to be the
victims of those who have tyrannzed over
them for centuries know OF no crime that
exceeds this; | know OF none that is its par
allel, and if this country is true to itself it
will rise in the majesty of its strength and
maintain policy, here and everywhere, by
which the rights Of the colored people shall
be secured through their own power-in peace
the ballot, in war the bayonet.


1t is another maxim OF another language,
which we may well apply to ourselves. that
where the voting register ends the military
roster of rebellion begins; and il you leave
these four million people to the care and GUS
tody of the men who have inaugursted and
carried on this rebellion, then you treasure
up for untold years the elements Of social and
civil war, which must not only desolate and
paralize the South. but shake this Govern
ment to its very foundation.


Jan. 23, the Senate debated the Freedmen's
Bureau, and the House the amendment Of the
Constitution on taxation and representation.
! In Senate. Jan. "a, Mr.. Wilson offered
Joint resolution for the amendment of the