Mr. VANHORN, of NewYork. I wasnot aware of the fact. I ive the information I have received, and lad y accept the statement of m friendfrom Pennsylvania. This large property interest has a right to be heard in the administration of affairs in this District, to protect itself against injustice, and secure for itself a proper direction and share of the public charities and public expenditures. It is a remarkable fact, which I hope does not now exist, that up to quite a recent period this unfortunate class of people were prohibited from forming and sustaining schoo s by their own ellbrts, and at their own expense, for the education of their children and this here, where it is admitted Congress has supreme control, and is charged with the duty of seeing justice and equality take place. While 1 be. e and believe atsuch isnot the factnow, to the same extent at least as formerly, if at all, I am not quite willing to leave these people entirely powerless to protect themselves against wrong and injustice, especially when I have the best reason to know that any rights they may have extended to them by law will be properly appreciated, and by no means abused i What record do these colored people in the District present to the country? According to the census of 1860 the colored population was a little less than 15,000]. It has been somewhat increased of late, as one of the consequences of the war, but the statistics which I here submit present a state and condition of things produced by the enterprise, intelligence, and thrift of the population above referred to, and before the war: “The value of real and personal propertynowowned by them is over 1,250,000 dollars. “The value of church property held by them is about 125,000 dollars. consisting of 23 churches. which are supported at a cost of over 20,000 dollars perannum. The numberof church communicants is 4300. while the average attendance upon religious services is 9,000, someof these being attendants upon service at Catholic and Episcopal churches control edby whites. The number of Sabbath schoolsfor colored personsis 23, at tended by between 3 and 4000 upils. "01ot or schools for colored children there are 33 and thenumber of pupils attending thein during the month of November 1863, was 4030. 6 of the sescliools are ported by the colored peeple“;others are sCuDppUoIrEtIeYdSUE the generosity of northern enevolent soeieties ahpug the necessary books stationery. 620. are furnished chiefly by the colored people themselves. “4,000 of the colored population of the district can read and write. They subscribe for about 4500 copies of newspapers, a large proportion of these being dailies. “Of socictics lor litera, bencvolcnt and other purposes, they have over 30, and through the agency of thesethey, to a ver great extent, provide for and support the needy an infirm of the irracc in the district. the city government having but a very small pe“r cent. of colored paupers to support. This is the recordofa class of citizensin this communit, 90%. of which were slaves or the immediate descendants of slaves, many having ur chasedtheir own freedom and that of their families.” and what record, sir, have they made during the war, and since they were allowed to reiin force our armies, and share in the trials and honors of the “great conflict?" The colored population of this District, as a class, have shown as much devotion to our country during the severe struggle through which it has passed as their white neighbors. They have exibited, to say the least, as high order of loyali, and as much of it, as the white population. They were always true, always the riends of the Government, in sunshine or in storm, in victory or defeat. While man with a whiter skin were plotting treason an conspiring to overthrow the Government which had made them all they were, and given them their daily bread, no treason or cons iracy was ever found in their ranks, or stained their hands with the innocent bloodof the loyal and faithful defen.ers of the Republic. Out of a population to which I have referred, they contrinited 3 full regiments, over3,500 enlisted men, while the white population of u ward of 60,000 sent only about 1500 men for the support of the Union, the constitution, and the liiws. In all our countrys trials their loyalty has never been questioned, and their patriot ism has been unbounded. They volunteered with alacrity without the incentives of high. pay, bounties, or promotions, led by white officers, with no expectation of any advancementin the ranks for gallantry or heroic conduct. They were willing to trust themselves and theirs in the hands of the loyal people of the country, for the honor of which they fought, and many of them died, and whose free institutions they desire to see perpetuated to the latest generations. In their memorial to this House they say: “We cherish fond hopes and laudable desires and honorable aspirations in connection with the future of our country.” Who shall say that this record is not a good one? How dare we turn our backs upon these people in view of these facts, when we must now, too, that through all the way we have passed the hand of the Invisible has led us on to this glad hour of triumph, that we may do justice, and for the future work the works of righteousness that we may be exalted indeed? But it is said that the people of the District are OPEOSEd to the principle of impartial suffrage, an voted against it by a large majority. So were they o posed to the Government in the dark days of the early part of the recent war, and if they had voted then would no doubt have voted down the Government by a large majority. What though the voters of this District express an opinion adverse to this reposition at the polis? They are a part in interest, in fluenced by strong and most cgrading reju dices against the colored poulation, an will actunder the influence of such i prejudices often times, irrespective of the justice in the case. Shall the Government fail to do justice to its loyal subjects, because of the opposition of those who are governed by strong prejudiccs, and others who have persisted in their efforts to destroy the Government until failure is certain, and now seek to control and regulate its policy? Again, had it been left to the people of the District in 1861 to abolish slavery by their votes, it would have been today, as former], the disgrace of the nation; and instead ofbe holding the national capital, the great heart of the Republic so to speak, throbbing with the healthy flow of a purer and a higher life, slavery would still be festering at its very core, consuming all its vitality and hope. What harm. sir, has resulted from such abolition in this District? Who would go back to the old state of things, of servitude and wron in the national capital? Not one; and so will it be if impartia, wellregulated suffrage become a law, when the people have a complete demonstration of the spirit and devotion to law and order on the part of this class ofour citizens. Tell me that a majority of the people here are against this proposition! Letit be remembered that the aggregate of the majorities of all the Union members of this House is the majority in favor of the principle of justice here proposed, and the verdict rendered by the people, who have a right to be heard in the solution of this question. They have long since declared that this District shall be free; that no slave shall tread upon its soil, or within it carry his chains; that the last stain made by the curse of human bondage shall be wiped out, and this District elevated to a higher and a no bler life of freedom, justice, and equal protection before the law. There can come no possible injury to anyone, as I can conceive, should impartial suffrage be established here by law, regulated by wholesome and wise provisions. It will be no precedent for future action upon equal suffrage anywhere else, for here we are agreed upon the question of right to legislate in this regard; while there is appropriety, to say the least, in placing this District above any of the degradin conditions of partial or unequal legislation. Let us not upon the suggestions I of the President, that it is wise to try these people, and not prejudge their case before a l air trial is made, so that if in the end they fail t to be worthy of the privileges conferred, it cannot be said that it was “ from any denial of justice on our part.” and here, sir permit me to say in conclusion, that while I do not pretend to speak for the President upon this or any other question, I have the greatest confidence in his patriotism and fidelity, and believe he is actuated by the urest and highest motives to do the best for is country. Gentlemen upon the other side are continually endeavoring by every means in their power to convince the country that the majority of this House are opposed to the president and his policy. It is time to make out such a case when the facts exist to warrant it, for they do not now. Newquestions are continually arising upon which the President and each member of, this House has a right to, and should, act. independent] and for the greatest good to the greatest num or after acareful and conscientious examination of the whole case; and it would be strange, indeed, if even here there could be harmonious action always upon all these important and new questions. Upon details we may differ. It cannot be expected that upon all questions that will arise or that force themselves upon usnew questions that never before have been presentedwe can come to the same conclusion as to all etfects and bearings in the future, et the great purpose of the majority of this case is to secure the greatest good to our common country and stand together with the President to heal, restore, elevate, and ennoble by doing justice to all. He knows what the Union has cost and by what people it has been saved. He knows the temper and spirit of those who sacrificed in its beha f, aroun whose hearthstones there is deep lamentation and mourning because loved ones are gone and do not return. He knows who, when the skies were covered with thick darkness, and the cloud of battle and defeat gloomed about us, stood steadfast and made imstrong in his purpose and hope of final triumph and he Euows they are still able to sustain and carry him through his present hour of trial, while he continues to aid in solving the great problem before us, and securiu union, berty, and justice, the legitimate results of the great conflict, for all comm time. His patriotism has been tried as by re. His devotion to country needs nomention from me, for it is one of the most sublime features of the recent struggle for the nations life, and will fill a bright page in its history. With moderation, generosity, and due consideration of the great questions to be solved; with an earnest pur ose to stand together in the right, as it shall o given us to see the right, we shall, step by step, advance toward the grand consummation of all our loyal hopes, and our starry banner wave over a Unibid. people filling our broad land from shore to s ore.