USA > Massachusetts > History of Massachusetts in the Civil War > Part 18
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MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
triumphantly pass, and soon, emerging from apparent gloom, will breathe a freer inspiration in the assured consciousness of vitality and power. Confident of our ultimate future ; confident in the principles and ideas of democratic republican government, in the capacity, conviction, and manly purpose of the American people, wherever liberty exists, and republican government is administered under the purifying and instructing power of free opinion and free debate, - I perceive noth- ing now about us which ought to discourage the good or to alarm the brave."
The Governor then spoke of the nature of the war. "This is no war of sections, no war of North and South. It is waged to avenge no former wrongs, nor to perpetuate ancient griefs or memories of conflict. It is the struggle of the people to vindicate their own rights, to retain and invigorate the institu- tions of their fathers." He then recapitulated the services of the Massachusetts troops, - their prompt response to the call of the President ; the march through Baltimore ; the garrisoning of Fortress Monroe ; the advance by way of Annapolis and the Potomac River ; the saving of " Old Ironsides; " the activity of General Butler and of the State officers ; the cost of equipping and provisioning the regiments, which, up to that time, amounted to $267,645.18, exclusive of the fifty thousand pounds sterling drawn in favor of Mr. Crowninshield, for the purchase of arms in Europe, and of contracts made, which, when fulfilled, would amount to $100,000 more.
Up to that time, one hundred and twenty-nine new companies had been organized. The Governor recommended the formation of a State camp for military instruction, under proper rules and regulations, but which encampment "should be confined to those enlisting themselves for an extended term of actual service, and should not include the ordinary militia." He was opposed to towns' paying bounties to men enlisting in local companies, and to all costly and inefficient modes of organizing and disci- plining troops. His recommendations to the Legislature met with unanimous approval, as the patriotic and judicious acts passed at this brief session abundantly prove. Near the close of his address, the Governor paid the following merited tribute to the services and worth of the then commanding General of the United-States army : -
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THE GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS.
" For myself, I entertain a most cordial trust in the ardor and patriotism of the President of the United States and his Cabinet, and of the venerable head of the American army, whose long and eminent career has given him a place second to no living captain of our time. True to his allegiance to his country and to himself, may he long be spared to serve his countrymen, and to enjoy their gratitude ! and though white the marble, and tall the aspiring shaft, which posterity will rear to record his fame, his proudest monument will be their affectionate memory of a life grand in the service of peace, not less than of war, preserving in their hearts for ever the name of WINFIELD SCOTT."
He spoke also in fitting words of the generous sympathy and munificent gifts of the entire people for the soldiers and their cause, which came " from every department of social, business, and religious life ; from every age, sex, and condition of our community ; by gifts, by toil, by skill, and handwork ; out of the basket and the store, and out of the full hearts of the com- munity, - they have poured through countless channels of benevolence."
In concluding, he asks, -
" But how shall I record the great and sublime uprising of the people, devoting themselves, their lives, their all ? No creative art has ever woven into song a story more tender in its pathos, or more stirring to the martial blood, than the scenes just enacted, passing before our eyes in the villages and towns of our dear old Common- wealth. Henceforth be silent, ye cavillers at NEW-ENGLAND thrift, economy, and peaceful toil! Henceforth let no one dare accuse our Northern sky, our iey winters, or our granite hills ! ' Oh, what a glorious morning !' was the exulting ery of SAMUEL ADAMS, as he, excluded from royal grace, heard the sharp musketry, which, on the dawn of the 19th of April, 1775, announced the beginning of the war of Independence. The yeomanry who in 1775, on Lexington Common, and on the banks of CONCORD RIVER first made that day immor- tal in our annals, have found their lineal representatives in the historic regiment, which, on the: 19th of April, 1861, in the streets of Baltimore, baptized our flag anew in heroic blood, when Massachusetts marched once more 'in the sacred cause of liberty and the rights of mankind?' "
Before passing from the consideration of this remarkable address, we would refer to the following paragraph, which illus-
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MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
trates so well the liberal and just mind of the author, - we mean his defence of the right of citizens to freely discuss the acts of public men and the policy of government : -
" Let us never," he said, " under any conceivable circumstances of provocation or indignation, forget that the right of free discussion of all public questions is guaranteed to every individual on Massachusetts soil, by the settled convictions of her people, by the habits of her successive generations, and by express provisions of her Constitution. And let us therefore never seek to repress the criticism of a minority, however small, upon the character and conduet of any administration, whether State or national."
It is probable that the occurrence spoken of in the following letter of Colonel Lee caused the Governor to incorporate in his address the paragraph quoted : -
BOSTON, May 13.
Messrs. CARTES, HESCOCK, BIRD, and others, Quincy Market.
DEAR SIRS, - The Sunday papers report the extortion of one hundred dollars from a produce-dealer named Walker, who seriously and jestingly expressed sympathy with the secessionists, and hoped that our troops would starve. The receipt of this money casts a slur upon the reputation of our State, and upon the sincerity of all the generous men who freely contributed. It must be returned at once, or we are disgraced: our cause is too good to be injured with illegal violence. While* we fight for liberty and the law, let us respect them ourselves. I feel sure, upon reflection, you will agree with the Governor on the subject.
Yours truly, HENRY LEE, A. D. C.
When the Governor concluded his address, the Senate re- turned to its chamber, and the two branches entered at once upon the business of the session.
In the Senate, on the same day, on motion of Mr. Stone, of Essex, it was voted, that a committee of seven on the part of the Senate, and fifteen on the part of the House, be appointed, to whom the address of the Governor, and the accompanying documents, should be referred. The motion was adopted : and the committee appointed on the part of the Senate were Messrs. Stone of Essex, Bonney of Middlesex, Northend of Essex, Rogers of Suffolk, Davis of Bristol, Walker of Middlesex, and Cole of Berkshire ; on the part of the House, Messrs. Bullock
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PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATURE.
of Worcester, Calhoun of Springfield, Branning of Lee, Davis of Greenfield, Tyler of Boston, Coffin of Newburyport, Peirce of Dorchester, Peirce of New Bedford, Jewell of Boston, Gifford of Provincetown, Clark of Lowell, Kimball of Lynn, Mer- riam of Fitchburg, Bamfield of West Roxbury, and Hyde of Newton.
Mr. Northend, of Essex, introduced a bill of eighteen sections, entitled " a bill to provide for the disciplining and instruction of a military force."
Petitions were presented of James W. White, and eighty others of Grafton, and of the commissioned officers of the Twelfth Regiment of Infantry (Colonel Webster), severally for an act to legalize the appropriations of cities and towns in behalf of the volunteer militia, and for other purposes.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
May 15. In the Senate. - Petition of Robert Morris and seventy-one others, for a law authorizing colored men to form military companies ; of John Wells and others, of Chicopee, for a law to allow cities and towns to raise money for the support of volunteers and their families.
On motion of Mr. Carter, of Hampden, a joint committee was appointed to consider the expedieney of tendering the service of members of the Legislature free of expense.
Mr. Stone, of Essex, reported a bill regulating drill com- panies, also in favor of the bill for the establishment of a home guard. On motion of Mr. Boynton, of Worcester, it was voted, that the joint special committee on the Governor's address consider the expedieney of providing by law for the expense of improving and drilling the volunteer companies, and also of re-imbursing such expenditure of money as towns and military companies have incurred for such purposes.
Mr. Northend, of Essex, reported his bill from the joint committee to provide for the discipline and instruction of a military force.
The same gentleman, from the same committee, introduced a bill " in aid of the families of volunteers." Mr. Stone, of Essex, from the same committee, reported a bill to enable banks to purchase government securities.
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MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
In the House, Mr. Bullock, of Worcester, from the same committee, reported a bill " to provide for the maintenance of the Union and Constitution."
Also a bill to repeal the act of the previous session " to authorize the Treasurer and Receiver-General to indorse the notes of the United States."
And, under a suspension of the rules, these bills passed to a third reading.
May 16. In the Senate. - The Senate discussed the bill in aid of the families of volunteers. Several amendments were offered, after which it was recommitted. The bill for the or- ganization of a home guard was passed to be engrossed.
A bill to regulate drill companies was opposed by Mr. Rogers, of Suffolk, and Mr. Battles, of Worcester, and re- jected.
The bill to enable banks to purchase Government securities, under a suspension of the rules, was passed to be enacted. Mr. Whiting, of Plymouth, moved an amendment to limit the pur- chase to fifteen per cent of their capital stock. Lost.
The bill to provide for the discipline and instruction of a military force was amended, on motion of Mr. Schouler, of Middlesex, to limit the force to five thousand inen, instead of three thousand. The bill and the amendment were then re- committed.
In the Senate. Afternoon Session. - On motion of Mr. Hardy, of Norfolk, the aet to provide for the maintenance of the Union and the Constitution was taken up. An amend- ment was proposed by Mr. Clark, of Middlesex, to strike out the clause ratifying the acts done by the Governor and Council in any way connected with the disbursements made by them, &c. Mr. Whiting, of Plymouth, favored the amendment ; but it was rejected, - yeas 10, nays 11. The bill was then passed to be engrossed.
The bill authorizing the issue of State serip to the amount of seven millions of dollars was passed unanimously, by a yea and nay vote.
The bill for the discipline and instruction of a military force was reported, providing for five regiments of infantry and one
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DEBATE ON RIGIITS OF COLORED MEN.
battery of artillery, to be sent to camp; and, in this form, it passed to be engrossed.
The Special Committee reported, that the petitions of J. Sella Martin, and Robert Morris and others, to strike out the word " white " in the militia laws, be referred to the next General Court.
In the House. - A petition of John T. Hilton and twenty- two others, colored citizens of Massachusetts, that the word " white" be stricken from the militia laws, was laid on the table.
The Senate report referring the petitions of J. Sella Martin and Robert Morris and others, to the next General Court, was opposed by Mr. Slack, of Boston, who spoke in favor of striking out the word " white" from the militia laws. He said the colored men were anxious to serve their country, and that no law should be enacted to prevent them.
Mr. Hammond, of Nahant, spoke in favor of accepting the report.
On motion of Mr. Albee, of Marlborough, the question on receiving the report was taken by yeas and nays. The report was accepted, - yeas 119, nays 81.
The Senate bill to enable banks to purchase Government secu- rities was passed to be engrossed, under a supension of the rules.
The Senate bill for the organization of a home guard was passed to be engrossed, without opposition.
May 17. In the Senate. - Mr. Whiting, of Plymouth, moved a reconsideration of the vote whereby the petition of J. Sella Martin, Robert Morris, and others, was referred to the next General Court. Placed in the orders of the day.
In the House. - A petition was presented by B. C. Sargent, Mayor of Lowell, and a committee of the City Council of Low- ell, for State aid in the erection of a monument to Luther C. Ladd and Addison O. Whitney, who fell at Baltimore, April 19. Referred.
Mr. Jewell, of Boston, from the Special Committee, reported a bill " to provide for a sinking fund."
May 18. In the Senate. - The motion to reconsider the
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MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
vote referring the petition of J. Sella Martin, Robert Morris, and others, to the next General Court, was advocated by Mr. Whiting, of Plymouth, who said this was not a time to make invidious distinctions between the different classes of citizens.
Mr. Cole, of Berkshire, spoke in opposition.
The vote stood, for reconsideration, 11; against it, 22.
In the House. - Mr. Stebbins, of Boston, asked and ob- tained leave to introduce a bill, " withholding certain aid from the people in the so-called seceded States," which was referred to the Special Committee.
Mr. Drew, of Dorchester, asked leave to introduce a bill to strike out the word " white " from the militia laws. Leave was refused, - ycas 56, nays 139.
May 20. In the Senate. - Almost the entire day was oc- cupied in debating the bill "in aid of the families of volunteers." A number of amendments were proposed, some of which were adopted, others rejected. The bill, as amended, was ordered to a third reading. Laid on the table, and ordered to be printed.
In the House. - Mr. Bullock, of Worcester, from the Joint Special Committee, reported "resolves concerning the present crisis " (five in number) .
A debate arose upon ordering them to be printed, in the course of which Mr. Durfee, of New Bedford, said the resolves could not be fairly understood by the House from merely hear- ing them read. IIe wished to see them in print.
Mr. Drew, of Dorchester, spoke at length. In the course of his speech, he attacked General Butler, for offering, to the Gov- ernor of Maryland, Massachusetts soldiers to put down a slave rebellion. He said the war was a means of emancipation, and complained of the Legislature for retaining the word " white " in the militia laws, which forbids a portion of our people from taking part in the struggle.
Mr. Stevens, of Boston, could not see any thing objection- able in the resolutions, and was in favor of their immediate passage.
The resolves were ordered to be printed.
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PROCEEDING OF THE LEGISLATURE.
May 21. In the Senate. - The whole of the forenoon ses- sion was taken up in discussing and amending the bill "in aid of the families of volunteers." It finally passed to be engrossed, - yeas 27, nays 7.
The resolves from the House, " concerning the present crisis," were discussed in the Senate a great part of the afternoon ses- sion, but, before taking the question, were laid on the table, to allow a committee to be appointed to wait upon the Governor, and request him to return the bill "for the organization of a home guard."
The committee subsequently reported, that they had returned with the bill ; when, on motion of Mr. Stone, of Essex, the vote whereby the bill was passed, was reconsidered ; and on motion of Mr. Boynton, of Worcester, it was referred to the Commit- tee on the Judiciary.
In. the House. - Mr. Jewell, of Boston, from the Joint Special Committee, reported "a bill in addition to an act for the maintenance of the Union and the Constitution," which was passed to be engrossed, under a suspension of the rules.
Mr. Branning, of Lee, from the same committee, reported that the bill offered by Mr. Stebbins, " withholding certain aid from the people of the so-called seceded States," ought not to pass.
The resolves concerning the present crisis were taken up, dis- cussed, and ordered to be engrossed.
Mr. Pierce, of Dorchester, introduced a bill authorizing the Governor to pay the company of Cadets of Boston for guard duty at the State Arsenal at Cambridge, and at Captain's Island ; also, the Second Battalion, for garrison duty at Fort Warren, and the Fourth Battalion, for garrison duty at Fort Independ- ence, one dollar a day, including rations to each man while in service ; which was referred to Special Committee on Governor's Address.
The bill withholding certain aid from the people of the so- called seceded States was taken up, and, after being amended, was passed to be engrossed.
The bill giving aid to the families of volunteers was dis- cussed, amended, and passed to a third reading.
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MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
Wednesday, May 22. In the Senate. - On motion of Mr. Northend, of Essex, the bill to provide for the discipline and instruction of a militia force was taken from the table, - the question being on passing it to be enacted.
Mr. Bonney, of Middlesex, opposed the bill. He said that it authorized the Governor to order into camp a military force of not less than six thousand men. It provided for nothing less than a standing army, for an unlimited period. It conferred upon the Governor a power which the sovereigns of England and France did not possess over their troops.
Mr. Northend spoke briefly in support of the bill, after which, no amendment being in order, the bill was passed to be enacted, - yeas 27, nays 2.
Mr. Northend then moved to take from the table the resolves concerning the present crisis, which motion was rejected, - yeas 10, nays 24.
The House bill, entitled an act " withholding certain aid from the people of the so-called seceded States," was rejected.
Mr. Stone, of Essex, from the Committee on the Judiciary, reported, in a new draft, "a bill to provide for a home guard," which, under a suspension of the rules, was ordered to be en- grossed.
In the afternoon session, Mr. Whiting, of Plymouth, moved a reconsideration of the vote by which the bill " withholding cer- tain aid from the people in the so-called seceded States " was re- jected, which was placed in the orders of the day.
In the House. - The bill for aid to the families of volunteers was discussed in the morning session, until adjournment ; with- out taking the question, several amendments were offered.
In the afternoon, a petition was received from Robert Morris and sixty-three other colored citizens, for leave to form a home guard. Referred to the Committee on the Militia.
Mr. Pierce, of Dorchester, reported that the bill to pay for the services of the Cadets, and other militia organizations, for services, ought not to pass, as payment had been provided in another bill.
The bill giving aid to the families of volunteers was passed to be engrossed.
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DEBATE CONCERNING COLORED CITIZENS.
Also, the Senate bill to organize a home guard.
May 23. In the Senate. - Mr. Davis, of Bristol, intro- duced a series of resolutions "on the national crisis ; " but as they were opposed by Messrs. Northend of Essex, Bonney of Middlesex, Battles of Worcester, Cole of Berkshire, Carter of IIampden, and Boynton of Worcester, Mr. Davis reluct- antly withdrew them.
The resolves which had been rejected in the House, "in re- gard to the rights of citizens," elicited a warm debate. Mr. Schouler, of Middlesex, spoke in favor of the resolves. Hle could not see the objection to this act of simple justice to the colored man.
Mr. Northend asked what good the passage of these resolu- tions would do in the present crisis. Would it strengthen the hands of the Administration? No: no one believed that it would. It would embarrass them.
Mr. Bonney, of Middlesex, was not opposed to the sentiments of the resolves ; but he did not believe it was expedient to in- struct our Senators and Representatives in Congress at this time.
Mr. Davis, of Bristol, said it was always safe to do right. IIe should vote for the resolves.
Mr. Schouler said we were afraid all the time of doing some- thing that would hurt the feelings of the South. The resolves were then passed to a third reading, - yeas 18, nays 12.
On their passage to be engrossed, Mr. Cole, of Berkshire, and Mr. Hardy, of Norfolk, spoke in opposition. They were then passed to be engrossed, - yeas 17, nays 13, - and were sent back to the House.
In the House. - Mr. Durfee, of New Bedford, from the Committee on the Militia, reported that the petition of Robert Morris and others be referred . to the Joint Special Com- mittee. :
On motion of Mr. Slocum, the report and accompanying papers were laid on the table.
Mr. Durfee, of New Bedford, introduced resolutions in rela- tion to the rights of colored citizens, which were referred to the Special Committee. Subsequently, Mr. Davis, of Greenfield,
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MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
from the committee, reported, that, in view of the exigencies of public affairs, and the near approach of the close of the session, the resolves ought not to pass. He deemed it unwise to legis- late on a minor point of the controversy, when the fact is, the battle for the black man is being fought every day, and will be fought on battle-fields yet unknown.
Mr. Albee, of Marlborough, spoke in favor of the re- solves.
Mr. Slack, of Boston, recurred to the days of the Revolu- tion, when the deeds of the colored citizens were the subject of the highest marks of approval.
Mr. Pierce, of Dorchester, advocated the passage of the re- solve, and read the words of General Andrew Jackson in com- mendation of the bravery of the colored battalions at New Orleans, in the war of 1812.
Mr. Branning, of Lee, had always been, and was now, in favor of the rights of colored men ; but he did not think it was wise to pass these resolves at the present time.
The vote to accept the report that the resolves ought not to pass was then taken, - yeas 78, nays 69.
The following was the principal resolution : -
" Resolved, That our Senators in Congress be instructed, and our Representatives requested, to use their utmost efforts to secure the re- peal of any and all laws which deprive any class of loyal subjects of the Government from bearing arms for the common defence."
On assembling in the afternoon, a committee of the two branches was appointed to inform the Governor that the Houses were ready to be prorogued.
The House then took a recess of an hour. On re-assembling, at three o'clock, the resolves in relation to the rights of colored citizens came down from the Senate, adopted.
Mr. Pierce, of Dorchester, moved a suspension of the rules, that they might be considered at once.
Mr. Bullock, of Worcester, made an earnest argument against suspending the rules, and against passing the resolves. He avowed his willingness to remove every vestige of disability from the colored citizens, and, in a proper time, he hoped to see it.
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DEBATE. - RIGHTS OF COLORED MEN.
This was not the time. Twenty-three sovereign States are a unit in this conflict. He who would now cast a firebrand among the ranks of the united North and West and the Border States, will initiate a calamity, the extent of which will be appalling and inconceivable. Let us cultivate unity and union. Let us frown upon every element of distraction and weakness and dis- cord. "I am therefore willing," said he, "to place my name in the negative upon an imperishable record, believing that I am doing a service to my beloved and imperilled country."
After further remarks by Mr. Pierce, of Dorchester, the pre- vious question was moved ; and the House refused to suspend the rules, by a yea and nay vote of 74 to 69. Two-thirds not voting for suspension, the motion was lost. The resolves then went into the orders of the day.
Mr. Slack, of Boston, moved that a committee be appointed to wait upon the Governor, and request him to postpone, for the present, the prorogation of the Legislature.
During his remarks, the Secretary of State was announced, with a message from the Governor, that his Excellency had pro- rogued the Legislature, according to request.
The Legislature was then prorogued, and the resolves were left among the unfinished business in the orders of the day.
We have given prominence to the debate upon these resolves, as it reflects the opinions of members at that period in regard to the rights of colored men. This was undoubtedly the first debate in the war touching the right of colored men to bear arms, and the expedieney of employing them as soldiers to put down the rebellion. The resolutions passed the Senate ; and, if the vote in the House to suspend the rules was a test of the opin- ions of the members, the resolutions would have also passed the House, had it remained another day in session.
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