dopted the great ordinance of freedom.

"Does any man in this House believe that these people can be safely
left in these States without the aid of Federal legislation or
military power? Does any one believe that their freedom can be
preserved without this aid? If any man does so believe, he is
strangely blind to the history of the past year; strangely blind to
the enactments passed by Legislatures touching these freedmen. And I
shuddered as I heard the honorable gentleman from New Jersey [Mr.
Rogers] claiming that he was speaking and thinking in the spirit which
animated the Savior of mankind when he made atonement for our race;
that it was in that spirit he was acting when he was striving to have
these people left utterly defenseless in the hands of men who were
proving, day by day, month by month, that they desire to oppress them,
for they had been made free against their consent. Every act of
legislation, every expression of opinion on their part, proves that
these people would be again enslaved if they were not protected by the
military arm of the Federal Government; without that they would be
slaves to-day. And I submit, with all deference, that it is any thing
but the spirit which the gentleman claims to have exercised, which
prompted the argument he has made.

"For myself, I trust that this bill will be passed, because I consider
it the most appropriate means to secure the end desired, and that
these people will be protected. I trust that we will say to them,
Because upon our call you aided us to suppress this rebellion, because
the honor and faith of the nation were pledged for your protection, we
will maintain your freedom, and redeem that pledge."

On the following day, the House of Representatives resumed the
consideration of this bill. A speech was made by Mr. Thayer, of
Pennsylvania. He said:

"This bill is the just sequel to, and the proper completion of, that
great measure of national redress which opened the dungeon-doors of
four million human beings. Without this, in my judgment, that great
act of justice will be paralyzed and made useless. With this, it will
have practical effect, life, vigor, and enforcement. It has been the
fashion of gentlemen, holding a certain set of opinions, in this House
to characterize that great measure to which I have referred as a
revolutionary measure.

"Sir, it was a revolutionary measure. It was one of the greatest, one
of the most humane, one of the most benefici