SPEECH IN THE SENATE, ON A JOINT RESOLUTION FOR THIS PURPOSE, JANUARY
5, 1865.
As early as January 8, 1864, Mr. Wilson, of Massachusetts,
embodied in a bill to promote enlistments a clause declaring,
that, when any man or boy of African descent, owing service
or labor in any State, under its laws, shall be mustered into
the military or naval service of the United States, he and his
mother, wife, and children shall be forever free. This bill
was considered from time to time. March 18th, Mr. Sherman, of
Ohio, moved to postpone the bill, “with a view that we may act
upon the main proposition, the Amendment to the Constitution to
abolish Slavery in the United States.” Mr. Sumner replied: “The
Senator speaks about acting on ‘the main proposition.’ The main
proposition, Sir, is to strike Slavery wherever you can hit
it.” That session closed without final action on the question.
December 13, 1864, Mr. Wilson brought it forward again, in
a joint resolution to encourage enlistments and promote the
efficiency of the military and naval forces, by making free the
wives and children of persons who had been or might be mustered
into the service of the United States.