It is the declared duty of the agents “to protect these persons in the enjoyment of their rights, to promote their welfare, and to secure to them and their posterity the blessings of liberty.” Under these comprehensive words all that is proper and constitutional is authorized for their welfare and security, while labor is made to go hand in hand. Thus far in the sad history of this people labor has been compelled by Slavery. But the case at last will be reversed. It is Liberty that will conduct the freedman to the fields, protect him in his toil, and secure to him all its fruits. In closing what I have to say on this subject, allow me to read the official testimony of the Commission on Freedmen, appointed by the Secretary of War, in their recent report. “For a time we need a Freedmen’s Bureau,--but not because these people are negroes, only because they are men who have been for generations despoiled of their rights. The Commission has heretofore--to wit, in the Supplemental Report made to you in December last--recommended the establishment of such a bureau; and they believe that all that is essential to its proper organization is contained, substantially, in a bill to that effect, reported, on April 12, from the Senate Committee on Slavery and Freedmen.”[354] This is the bill before us. It is for the Senate to determine, under the circumstances, what it will do. My earnest hope is that it will do something. The opportunity must not be lost of helping so many persons now helpless, and of aiding the cause of reconciliation, without which peace cannot be assured. In this spirit I leave the whole subject to the judgment of the Senate. If anything better than the work of the Committee can be found, I hope it will be adopted; meanwhile I ask you to accept what is now offered. After various amendments moved by Mr. Sumner, the bill was violently opposed by Mr. Richardson, of Illinois. In the course of his speech the following colloquy occurred. MR. RICHARDSON. The Senator from Massachusetts will be able to carry his proposition next winter, if the people can be deceived to reëlect Lincoln. MR. SUMNER. I hope this summer. MR. RICHARDSON. You have no show in the world this summer. If you could carry that proposition now, you could not carry one of the Northwestern States this fall. June 14th, the consideration of the bill was renewed, when Mr. Hendricks, of Indiana, spoke against it. He moved to strike out “Treasury Department,” and insert “Department of the Interior.” On this motion Mr. Sumner said:--