negro, freed and emancipated by us, would naturally vote on the
side of his deliverer to-day, that it is any guarantee, when new
parties are formed and a competition arises, that the whole or the
major part of his vote will be cast on the right side. White men and
black men are liable to the same infirmities.

"Let us rather, sir, rejoice at what has been already done for him,
and be content to watch his future. Let us help to elevate and improve
him, not only in education, but in morals. Let us see to it that he is
not only protected in all his rights of person and of property, but
let us insist that the amplest guarantees shall be given. Let us wait
until the great problem the African is now working out has been
finished, and we find that he thoroughly comprehends and will not
abuse what he has got, before we attempt to confer other privileges,
which, when once granted, can never be taken from him. Sir, let it not
be forgotten that 'revolutions never go backward;' and if you ever
confer this right on the negro, and find it will not work well, that
you have been too hasty, that you should have waited awhile longer,
you will find it is too late, and that, once having possessed it, they
will not part with it except with their lives."

On the 17th of January the debate was resumed by Mr. Darling, of New
York, who remarked:

"What public necessity exists for the passage of this bill at this
time? There are no benefits which the colored people of this District
could attain by the exercise of the right of suffrage that Congress
could not bestow. Our right and power to legislate for this District
are unquestioned, and instead of wasting days and weeks over a
question which is exciting bitter feeling among our own people, had we
not better give our attention to matters of great national interest
which so urgently demand speedy action on our part? Let us pass laws
for the education of the people of this District, and fit them
ultimately to receive the elective franchise; or, if any thing is
required to satisfy the intense desire, manifested by some gentlemen
of this House, to bestow the franchise on those not now possessed of
it, give it to every soldier who served in the Union Army and was
honorably discharged, whether old or young, rich or poor, native or
foreign-born, white or black, and show to the world that the American
people, recognizing the services and sufferings of their brave
defenders, give them, as a recogniti