e
ballot. Shall we surrender the ballot, the emblem of our sovereignty;
the flag, the emblem of our Union; the Union, the emblem of our
national glory, that they may become the badges of our weakness and
the trophies of another race? Never, sir! never, never!

"Shall the white laborer bow his free, independent, and honored brow
to the level of the negro just set free from slavery, and, by yielding
the entrance to this great citadel of our nation, surrender the
mastery of his race over the Representatives of the people, the
Senate, and Supreme Court of this Union? Then, sir, the white
workingman's sovereignty would begin to cease to be.

"Then the most democratic majesty of American liberty would be humbled
in the little dust which was lately raised by a brief campaign of two
hundred thousand negro troops, and even they led by white officers,
while millions of white soldiers held the field in victory by their
own strength and valor. Deny it if ye dare! Sir, I know that this is a
white man's Government, and I believe the white workingman has the
manhood which shall preserve it to his latest posterity, pure and
strong, in 'justice tempered with mercy.'

"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, downtro