nscientiously say ought to be denied, are to be enforced through the
ordinary instrumentalities of courts of justice.

"While engaged in this great work of restoration, it concerns our
honor that we forget not those who are unable to help themselves; who,
whatever may have been the misery and wretchedness of their former
condition, were on our side in the great struggle which has closed,
and whose rights we can not disregard or neglect without violating the
most sacred obligations of duty and of honor. To us they look for
protection against the wrongs with which they are threatened. To us
alone can they appeal in their helplessness for succor and defense. To
us they hold out to-day their supplicating hands, asking for
protection for themselves and their posterity. We can not disregard
this appeal, and stand acquitted before the country and the world of
basely abandoning to a miserable fate those who have a right to demand
the protection of your flag and the immunities guaranteed to every
freeman by your Constitution."

Mr. Eldridge, of Wisconsin, opposed the bill, in a speech of which the
following are the concluding remarks:

"I had hoped that this subject would be allowed to rest. Gentlemen
refer us to individual cases of wrong perpetrated upon the freedmen of
the South as an argument why we should extend the Federal authority
into the different States to control the action of the citizens
thereof. But, I ask, has not the South submitted to the altered state
of things there, to the late amendment of the Constitution, to the
loss of their slave property, with a cheerfulness and grace that we
did not expect? Have they not acquiesced more willingly than we dared
to hope? Then why not trust them? Why not meet them with frankness and
kindness? Why not encourage them with trust and confidence?

"I deprecate all these measures because of the implication they carry
upon their face, that the people who have heretofore owned slaves
intend to do them wrong. I do not believe it. So far as my knowledge
goes, and so far as my information extends, I believe that the people
who have held the freedmen slaves will treat them with more kindness,
with more leniency, than those of the North who make such loud
professions of love and affection for them, and are so anxious to pass
these bills. They know their nature; they know their wants; they know
their habits; they have been brought up together, and have none of the
prejudices and un