I shall not object, if the Senator from Ohio thinks it proper, on
this important occasion, to dispense with the reading. In my judgment
the Senate cannot listen to anything of more consequence than this
accurate, authentic, most authoritative report with regard to the
actual condition of things in the States lately in rebellion. Here
is an eminent citizen, lately a major-general in the army of the
United States, sent by the President on a special mission to visit
those States and to report upon their condition. The visit has been
made,--not a hasty one, like that of General Grant, for instance,
or of other officers or citizens, but a sojourn occupying time,
extending through different States,--and the results are recorded in a
careful document. Now, Sir, if the question were trivial, if it were
transitory, I should think the Senator was right; but, if he persists
in his motion, I shall not oppose it.
Mr. Sherman insisted upon his motion, and said: “It is unusual
to read documents in this way.” Mr. Doolittle, of Wisconsin,
called attention to a remark of Mr. Sumner, which he thought
he ought “to qualify at least, if not altogether retract.” The
objectionable remark was then stated. “Speaking of the message
just received from the President of the United States, he said
that it was like the whitewashing message of Franklin Pierce,
to cover up the transactions in Kansas.… Now, Mr. President, I
think the Senator from Massachusetts must have let fall that
expression without due consideration”; and he concluded by
saying: “I believe, Sir, certainly I think I ought to believe,
that the honorable Senator from Massachusetts will at least
modify or qualify, if he does not wholly retract, this strong
expression.”