hat is all we propose to do
by this bill. The committee thought it would not be more than a
reasonable protection to allow them to remain for three years, they
having been put upon these lands destitute, without any implements of
husbandry, without cattle, horses, or any thing else with which to
cultivate the land, and having, up to the present time, been able to
raise very little at the expense of great labor. Perhaps the Senator
thinks they ought not to remain so long. I will not dispute whether
they shall go off at the end of one year or two years. The committee
propose two years more. The order was dated in January, 1865, and we
propose three years from that time, which will expire in January,
1868, or about two years from this time.

"On account of that provision of the bill, the Senator asks me the
question whether the Government of the United States has the right, in
a time of peace, to take property from one man and give it to another.
I say no. Of course the Government of the United States has no
authority, in a time of peace, by a legislative act, to say that the
farm of the Senator from Indiana shall be given to the Senator from
Ohio; I contend for no such principle. But following that up, the
Senator wants to know by what authority you buy land or provide
school-houses for these refugees. Have we not been providing
school-houses for years? Is there a session of Congress when acts are
not passed giving away public lands for the benefit of schools? But
that does not come out of the Treasury, the Senator from Indiana will
probably answer. But how did you get the land to give away? Did you
not buy it of the Indians? Are you not appropriating, every session of
Congress, money by the million to extinguish the Indian title--money
collected off his constituents and mine by taxation? We buy the land
and then we give the land away for schools. Will the Senator tell me
how that differs from giving the money? Does it make any difference
whether we buy the land from the Indians and give it for the benefit
of schools, or whether we buy it from some rebel and give--no, sir,
use--it for the benefit of schools, with a view ultimately of selling
it for at least its cost? I believe I would rather buy from the
Indian; but still, if the traitor is to be permitted to have a title,
we will buy it from him if we can purchase cheaper.

"Sir, it is a matter of economy to do this. The cheapest way by which
you can save this race fro