I content myself with this protest, without following the Senator in a discussion which must be unprofitable, if not pernicious. I say nothing of France, whose power cannot be doubted, and whose friendship I would carefully cultivate. I say nothing of Mexico, our unhappy neighbor Republic, torn, as we now are, except to declare sympathy and cordial good-will. It is sufficient that the policy of the Senator from California, without any certainty of good to Mexico, must excite the hostility of France, and give to the Rebellion armies and fleets, not to mention that recognition and foreign intervention which we deprecate. Let us all unite to put down the Rebellion. This is enough for the present. If Senators are sensitive, when they see European monarchies again setting foot on this hemisphere,--entering Mexico with their armies, entering New Grenada with their influence, and occupying the ancient San Domingo,--let them consider that there is but one way in which this return of empire can be arrested. It is by the suppression of the Rebellion. Let the Rebellion be overcome, and this whole continent will fall naturally, peacefully, and tranquilly under the irresistible influence of American institutions. Resolutions cannot do this, nor speeches. I therefore move that the resolutions lie on the table. The Senate went into Executive Session without a vote. The resolutions came up again the next day, when, on motion of Mr. Sumner, they were laid on the table, by a vote of yeas 34, nays 10. EMPLOYMENT OF COLORED TROOPS. BILL IN THE SENATE, FEBRUARY 9, 1863. As early as May 26, 1862, Mr. Sumner introduced a resolution declaring that the time had come for the Government “to invite all, without distinction of color, to make their loyalty manifest by ceasing to fight or labor for the Rebels, and also by rendering every assistance in their power to the cause of the Constitution and the Union, according to their ability, whether by _arms_, or labor, or information, or in any other way.” After much debate, an Act was passed to amend the Act to provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions, approved February 28, 1795. The new Act, approved by the President July 17, 1862, contained the following provision:-- “That the President be, and he is hereby, authorized to receive into the service of the United States, for the purpose of constructing intrenchments, or performing camp service or any other labor, or any military or naval service for which they may be found competent, persons of African descent; and such persons shall be enrolled and organized under such regulations, not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws, as the President may prescribe.”[137] This was the beginning of colored troops.