at the people of the rebellious
States themselves will conform to the existing condition of things. I
do not expect them to change all their opinions and prejudices. I do
not expect them to rejoice that they have been discomfited. But they
acknowledge that the war is over; they agree that they can no longer
contend in arms against the Government; they say they are willing to
submit to its authority; they say in their State conventions that
slavery shall no more exist among them. With the abolition of slavery
should go all the badges of servitude which have been enacted for its
maintenance and support. Let them all be abolished. Let the people of
the rebellious States now be as zealous and as active in the passage
of laws and the inauguration of measures to elevate, develop, and
improve the negro as they have hitherto been to enslave and degrade
him. Let them do justice and deal fairly with loyal Union men in their
midst, and henceforth be themselves loyal, and this Congress will not
have adjourned till the States whose inhabitants have been engaged in
the rebellion will be restored, to their former position in the Union,
and we shall all be moving on in harmony together."

On the day following the discussion above given, Mr. Cowan moved to
amend the first section of the bill so that its operation would be
limited to such States "as have lately been in rebellion." In
supporting his amendment, Mr. Cowan remarked: "I have no idea of
having this system extended over Pennsylvania. I think that as to the
freedmen who make their appearance there, she will be able to take
care of them and provide as well for them as any bureau which can be
created here. I wish to confine the operation of this institution to
the States which have been lately in rebellion."

To this Mr. Trumbull replied: "The Senator from Pennsylvania will see
that the effect of that would be to exclude from the operation of the
bureau the State of Kentucky and the State of Delaware, where the
slaves have been emancipated by the constitutional amendment. The
operation of the bureau will undoubtedly be chiefly confined to the
States where slavery existed; but it is a fact which may not be known
to the Senator from Pennsylvania, that during this war large numbers
of slaves have fled to the Northern States bordering on the
slaveholding territory.

"It is not supposed that the bill will have any effect in the State of
Pennsylvania or in the State of Illinois, unle