History of the Thirty-Ninth Congress of the United StatesBarnes, William Horatio
History
History of the Thirty-Ninth Congress of the United States
Barnes, William Horatio
United States -- Politics and government -- 1865-1869; United States. Congress (39th : 1865-1867)
"There may be a legend hereafter telling of the exile of
Representatives now on this floor, who, in the hour of party spite,
betrayed the dominion of their race here, and the stronghold of their
people's liberty, to a servile and foreign race."
Near the close of Mr. Chanler's remarks, his time having been extended
by courtesy of the House, a forensic passage at arms occurred between
that gentleman and Mr. Bingham, of Ohio. Mr. Chanler had said: "I deny
that any obligation rests against this Government to do any thing more
for the negro than has already been done. 'On what meats doth this
Caesar feed that he has grown so great?' The white soldier did as much
work as he, fought as well, died as bravely, suffered in hospitals and
in the field as well as he. More than this, the white soldier fought
to liberate the slave, and did do it. The white soldier did more: he
fought to preserve institutions and rights endeared to him by every
hallowed association; to overthrow the rebellion of his brother
against their Commonwealth and glorious Union; to preserve the
sovereignty of the people against the conspiracy of a slave
aristocracy, if you will; to maintain the fabric of the Government
built by their fathers for them and their race in every country of
kindred men who, downtrodden and disenfranchised, look to this country
as a sure refuge. The white soldier fought as a volunteer, as a
responsible, free, and resolute citizen, knowing for what he fought,
and generously letting the slave share with him the honor, and
bestowing on him more than his share of the profits of the white man's
victory over his equal and the negro's master.
"We are willing that the negro should have every protection which the
law can throw around him, but there is a majesty which 'hedges in a
king.' That he ought not to have until he shows himself 'every inch a
king.'
"'Who would be free, themselves must strike the blow.'
"'Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have
greatness thrust upon them.'
"We are opposed to thrusting honor on the negro. He is to-day, as a
race, as dependent on the power and skill of the white race for
protection as when he was first brought from Africa. Not one act of
theirs has proved the capacity of the black race for self-government.
They have neither literature, arts, nor arms, as a race. They have
never, during all the changes of dynasties or revolution of States,
risen higher than to be the helpers of the contending parties. They
have had the same opportunity as the Indian to secure their
independence of the white race, but have never systematically even
attempted it on this continent, although they have been educated with
equal care, and in the same schools as the white man. Their race has
been subject to the white man, and has submitted to the yoke."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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