William Schouler, A history of Massachusetts in the Civil War: Volume 1

Also, the Senate bill to organize a home guard.

May 23. In the Senate.—Mr. Davis, of Bristol, introduced a series of resolutions ‘on the national crisis;’ but as they were opposed by Messrs. Northend of Essex, Bonney of Middlesex, Battles of Worcester, Cole of Berkshire, Carter of Hampden, and Boynton of Worcester, Mr. Davis reluctantly withdrew them.

The resolves which had been rejected in the House, ‘in regard to the rights of citizens,’ elicited a warm debate. Mr. Schouler, of Middlesex, spoke in favor of the resolves. He could not see the objection to this act of simple justice to the colored man.

Mr. Northend asked what good the passage of these resolutions would do in the present crisis. Would it strengthen the hands of the Administration? No: no one believed that it would. It would embarrass them.

Mr. Bonney, of Middlesex, was not opposed to the sentiments of the resolves; but he did not believe it was expedient to instruct our Senators and Representatives in Congress at this time.

Mr. Davis, of Bristol, said it was always safe to do right. He should vote for the resolves.

Mr. Schouler said we were afraid all the time of doing something that would hurt the feelings of the South. The resolves were then passed to a third reading,—yeas 18, nays 12.

On their passage to be engrossed, Mr. Cole, of Berkshire, and Mr. Hardy, of Norfolk, spoke in opposition. They were then passed to be engrossed,—yeas 17, nays 13,—and were sent back to the House.

In the House.—Mr. Durfee, of New Bedford, from the Committee on the Militia, reported that the petition of Robert Morris and others be referred to the Joint Special Committee.

On motion of Mr. Slocum, the report and accompanying papers were laid on the table.

Mr. Durfee, of New Bedford, introduced resolutions in relation to the rights of colored citizens, which were referred to the Special Committee. Subsequently, Mr. Davis, of Greenfield,