Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Poetry and Incidents., Volume 8.
Frank Moore, Ed.

Mr. Washburne, of Illinois. I wish to make an excuse for the author of the pamphlet from which the gentleman from Ohio has read such copious extracts. I think that author has been corrupted by my friend from Ohio. I think he must have been reading a book which the gentleman from Ohio has written, which I now hold in my hand, and which I have read with great pleasure. The gentleman from Ohio said that he had heretofore answered this book in the House, and that I had heard his speech. I always liked to hear the speech he made to-day. [Laughter.] I have listened to it several times. [Laughter.] We shall not probably have the pleasure at the next Congress of hearing my friend from Ohio rehearse this speech here, because I think, in the light of the recent elections in Ohio, and particularly in the district of the honorable gentleman, I can say to him, in the language of Watts, and in the spirit of the utmost kindness:

You living man, come view the ground Where you must shortly lie.

I desire to show the House what the gentleman from Ohio has written in regard to the “African,” in a book entitled “A Buckeye Abroad; or, Wanderings in Europe and in the Orient. By S. S. Cox.” He is describing St. Peter's, and says: “In the mean time, seraphic music from the Pope's select choir ravishes the ear, while the incense titillates the nose. Soon there arises in the chamber of theatrical glitter” --what?--“a plain unquestioned African! [laughter] and he utters the sermon in facile Latinity, with graceful manner. His dark hands gestured harmoniously with the round periods, and his swart visage beamed with a high order of intelligence.” [Laughter.] What was he? Let the gentleman from Ohio answer: “He was an Abyssinian. What a commentary was here [48] upon our American prejudices! The head of the great Catholic Church, surrounded by the ripest scholars of the age, listening to the eloquence” --of whom?--“of the despised negro; and thereby illustrating to the world.” --what?--“thereby illustrating to the world the common bond of brotherhood which binds the human race.” [Roars of laughter.]

Mr. Speaker, I appeal to the House if it does not appear that the author of that pamphlet must have been corrupted by reading the work of my friend from Ohio.

But the gentleman goes on to say: “I confess that, at first, it seemed to me a sort of theatrical mummery, not being familiar with such admixtures of society.” That was the first impression of my young and festive friend from Ohio, as he wandered through the gilded corridors of St. Peter's. [Laughter.] “But,” says he, “on reflection, I discerned in it the same influence which, during the dark ages, conferred such inestimable blessings on mankind. History records that from the time of the revival of letters the influence of the Church of Rome had been generally favorable to science, to civilization, and to good government. Why?” Why, asks my friend from Ohio, is the Church of Rome so favorable to science, to civilization, and to good government? Let the gentleman answer: “Because her system held then, as it holds now, all distinctions of caste as odious.” [Great laughter.] “She regards no man — bond or free, white or black — as disqualified for the priesthood. This doctrine has, as Macaulay develops in his introductory chapters to his English history, mitigated many of the worst evils of society; for where race tyrannized over race, or baron over villein, Catholicism came between them and created an aristocracy altogether independent of race or feudalism, compelling even the hereditary master to kneel before the spiritual tribunal of the hereditary bondsman. The childhood of Europe was passed under the guardianship of priestly teachers, who taught, as the scene in the Sistine Chapel of an Ethiop addressing the proud rulers of Catholic Christendom teaches, that no distinction is regarded at Rome save that which divides the priest from the people.”

“The sermon of the Abyssinian”--that is, of this colored person, this Roman citizen of “African descent” --“in beautiful print, was distributed at the door. I bring one home as a trophy and as a souvenir of a great truth which Americans are prone to deny or contemn.” [Laughter.]

Now, I ask my friend from Ohio if he has still got that trophy and souvenir to bring into this Hall?