Here is a victory, moral and political: moral, inasmuch as Freedom secures a new foothold where to exert her far-reaching influence; political, inasmuch as by the admission of California, the Free States obtain a majority of votes in the Senate, thus overturning that _balance of power_ between Freedom and Slavery, so preposterously claimed by the Slave States, in forgetfulness of the true spirit of the Constitution, and in mockery of Human Rights. [_Cheers._] May free California, and her Senators in Congress, amidst the trials before us, never fail in loyalty to Freedom! God forbid that the daughter should turn with ingratitude or neglect from the mother that bore her! [_Enthusiasm._] Besides this Act, there are two others of this long session to be regarded with satisfaction,--and I mention them at once, before considering the reverse of the picture. The slave-trade is abolished in the District of Columbia. This measure, though small in the sight of Justice, is important. It banishes from the National Capital an odious traffic. But this is its least office. Practically it affixes to the whole traffic, wherever it exists,--not merely in Washington, within the immediate sphere of the legislative act, but everywhere throughout the Slave States, whether at Richmond, or Charleston, or New Orleans,--the brand of Congressional reprobation. The people of the United States, by the voice of Congress, solemnly declare the domestic traffic in slaves offensive in their sight. The Nation judges this traffic. The Nation says to it, "Get thee behind me, Satan!" [_Excitement and applause._] It is true that Congress has not, as in the case of the foreign slave-trade, stamped it as _piracy_, and awarded to its perpetrators the doom of _pirates_; but it condemns the trade, and gives to general scorn those who partake of it. To this extent the National Government speaks for Freedom. And in doing this, it asserts, under the Constitution, legislative jurisdiction over the subject of Slavery in the District,--thus preparing the way for that complete act of Abolition which is necessary to purge the National Capital of its still remaining curse and shame. The other measure which I hail with thankfulness is the Abolition of Flogging in the Navy. ["_Hear! hear!_"] Beyond the direct reform thus accomplished--after much effort, finally crowned with encouraging success--is the indirect influence of this law, especially in rebuking the lash, wheresoever and by whomsoever employed.