I might dwell on the obligation of the nation, reaching everywhere with its hundred arms, to do what inferior charity must fail to do; and I might especially show that it is not enough to strike down the master, but that you must go…

If these are not supplied in some way by the Government, I know not where to look for them.

Surely, Sir, you will not hesitate to provide, so far as you can, carefully and wisely, the proper means to secure employment for them during the transition from one condition to another, and, above all, to throw over them everywhere the…

And such, permit me to say, is the single supreme object of the present bill, which has been so cordially misrepresented by the Senator from West Virginia, and so strangely misrepresented by my friend from Iowa.

I have said that the object was care and protection for persons actually free, and so regarded, who, from the peculiarity of their condition, might not be able in all respects to secure these without assistance.

To this end a central agency is proposed at Washington, with subordinate agencies where the freedmen are to be found, devoted to this work of watching over emancipation, so that it may be surrounded with a congenial atmosphere.

The language of the bill describing the functions of the Commissioner is plain and explicit; and yet out of this language, so guarded and so utterly inoffensive, the Senator from Iowa has conjured a phantom to frighten the Senate from its…

Why, Sir, if there were anything which by possibility could justify the fears of the Senator, if there were anything which even the most lively imagination could exaggerate into a lack of care and protection, then I should be the first to…

But there is absolutely nothing; and if you listen to the bill, you will agree with me.

Calling a man superintendent gives him no power except in conformity with law; but all the laws, general and special, are for Freedom.

Mark, Sir, there is not one word of power or control over the freedmen, but duties solemnly imposed, all in behalf of Freedom.

And generally, by careful regulations in the spirit of the Constitution, to protect these persons in the enjoyment of their rights, to promote their welfare, and to secure to them and their posterity the blessings of liberty.

The main object is protection in the enjoyment of their rights,--inborn, but new-found.

Obviously, the superintendent must superintend according to law; and since this is now for Freedom, whatever he does must be for Freedom likewise.

But the Senator would not think of attributing to either of these functionaries that “unlimited control and power” which he dreaded in the superintendent of freedmen,--bound to see that freedmen are protected in their rights.

By “superintendence of all freedmen” is meant that watchfulness of their rights and interests consistent with laws, general and special, for their protection, welfare, and liberty, so that they may be helped to employment and be guarded…

And permit me to say, I have misread this bill, if there is a single word in it, from beginning to end, which can give the most remote apology for any other idea.

Not in this way do tyrants or slave-masters wield a wicked power.

Here is advice, guardianship, and the adjustment of wages,--all inconsistent with Slavery in any of its pretensions.

The duty of these officers is “advisory.” They are not invested with power to enforce any provisions, unless by court of law or some other tribunal.

The freedmen are entitled to all the rights of freemen, just as much as the Senator.

Let him recognize them as free, like himself, and he will see that there is no remedy open to him which is not open to them, and that any outrage upon them is, in point of law, the same as if inflicted upon himself.

And in all such proceedings there shall be no disability or exclusion on account of color.

And this service is to be rendered in any tribunal, “civil or military”; so that, where the civil courts are closed, the freedmen may obtain justice in any military tribunal.

But whether in a civil or military tribunal, there is to be no disability or exclusion on account of color.