Iii.
Mr. President,—The Senate, only a short time ago, was engaged for a week considering how to open an iron way from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
It is now to consider how to open the way from Slavery to Freedom. * * In what I have to offer, I shall confine myself to a simple statement which I hope will not be taken as dictated by any spirit of controversy, or any pride of opinion.
Nothing of that kind could justly enter into such a discussion as this.
The importance of the measure is seen at a glance; it is clearly a charity and a duty.
By virtue of existing Acts of Congress, and also under the Proclamation of the President, large numbers of slaves have suddenly become free.
They may be counted already by the hundred-thousand; in the progress of victory, they will be counted by the million.
Deriving their freedom from the United States, the national government cannot be excused from making such provisions as may be required for their immediate protection during the present transition period.
The freedom conferred must be rendered useful, or at least saved from being a burden.
Reports, official and unofficial, show the necessity of action.
In some places it is a question of life and death.
After glancing at these reports from the
Southern States, which showed that wherever our arms had prevailed, the old social system had been destroyed,—masters having fled from slaves, and slaves assuming a new character—released from former obligations and sent adrift in the world, rolling like eddies around military posts, and all of them looking to the victorious power to
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which they had fled for protection;—the exigency was pressing.
It had been alleged that most of them were idle and vicious, and indisposed to work; but General banks, then having command in
Louisiana, used these words in one of his despatches:—‘Wherever in the Department they have been well treated, and reasonably compensated, they have
invariably rendered faithful service to their employers.
From many persons who manage plantations, I have received the information that there is no difficulty whatever in keeping them at work, if the conditions to which I have referred, are complied with.’
