“I do not know that any rule of law, constitutional or statutory, ever prohibited the acceptance, organization, and muster of ‘persons of African descent’ into the military service of the United States as enlisted men or volunteers. But whatever doubt might have existed on the subject had been fully resolved before this order was issued, by the 11th section of the Act of July 17, 1862, chap. 195, which authorized the President to employ as many persons of African descent as he might deem necessary and proper for the suppression of the Rebellion, and for that purpose to organize and use them in such manner as he might judge best for the public welfare.” And then again he says:-- “I have already said that I knew of no provision of law, constitutional or statutory, which prohibited the acceptance of persons of African descent into the military service of the United States; and if they could be lawfully accepted as private soldiers, so also might they be lawfully accepted as commissioned officers, if otherwise qualified therefor. But the express power conferred on the President by the 11th section of the Act of July 17, 1862, chap. 195, before cited, to employ this class of persons for the suppression of the Rebellion as he may judge best for the public welfare, furnishes all needed sanction of law to the employment of a colored chaplain for a volunteer regiment of his own race.”[307] By the report before the Senate, it is declared as follows: “And the Attorney-General is hereby authorized to determine any question of law arising under this provision.” In the full confidence that we shall at last, through the Attorney-General, obtain that justice which Congress has denied, I consent to give my vote for the report. The report was concurred in.[308] The Attorney-General, Mr. Bates, as Mr. Sumner anticipated, affirmed the equal rights of the colored soldiers.[309] OPENING OF THE STREET-CARS TO COLORED PERSONS. SPEECHES IN THE SENATE, ON VARIOUS PROPOSITIONS, FEBRUARY 10, MARCH 17, JUNE 21, 1864. The opening of the street-cars in Washington constitutes a special chapter of effort, which, beyond its local influence, was important as an example to the country. February 27, 1863, the Senate having under consideration the bill to authorize the Alexandria and Washington Railroad Company to extend their road across the Potomac River and through the city of Washington to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad station, Mr. Sumner moved an amendment in the following words:-- “_And provided, also_, That no person shall be excluded from the cars on account of color.”