Mr. TRUMBULL. I do not rise, sir, with a view of discussing the bill under consideration: it is one relating to questions of a very grave character, and onght not to pass without due consideration. The Senfrom Massachusetts tells us that it has been submitted to distinguished lawyers, and they all conceded its propriety, and nobody disiutes the power of Ghagress to pass it. Doubt as that was their opinion and is the opinion of the Senfrom Massacliusetts. Perups it would be my opinion upon investigation. I will not undertake to say, at this time, what the powers of the congress of the U.S. may be over the people in the lately rebellious States. There was a time between the suppression of the rebellion and the institution of any kind of government in those States when it was absolutely necessary that some power or other to prevent anarchy should have control. The Senfrom Delaware, and I believe the Senfrom Maryland, said the rebellion was over, but at the time that the rebellion ceased there was no organized government whatever in most of the rebel States; and was the Government of the U.S. to withdraw its forces and leave the people in a state of anarchy for the time being? Surely not. As a consequence of the rebellion and of the authority clearly vested in the Government of the U.S. to put down the rebellion, in my judgment the Government had the right, in the absence of any local governments, to control and (govern the people till State organizations could be set up by tic people which should be recognized by the federalGovernment as loyal and true to the constitution. It must be so. It is a necessity of the condition of things. But, sir, I donot propose at this time to discuss this bill. It is one, I think, of too much importance to be passed without a reference to l. I”43 I., a me comm re. The bill does not go far e ough, i whmt we Have been told todayin regard to freedmen in the southerp states is true. The bill, perhaps, also may berIiIQlillljllrp in the sense slated by the senatoriiom Ohio fW have not yet the official information of the adOption of the constitutional amendment. That that amendment will be adopted, there is very little question; until it is adopted there may be some question (I do not say how the right is) as to the authority of Congress to pass such abill as this, but after the adoption of the constitutional amendment there can be none. The 2nd clausg of that amendment was inserted for some purpose, and I would like to know of the Senfrom Delaware for what purpose? Sir, for the purpose, and none other, of preventing State Legislatures from enslaving, under any iretense, those whom the 1st clause declared should be free. It was inserted expressly for the purpose of conferring upon congress authority by appropriate legisation to carry the 1st section into effect. Vhat is the 1st section? It declares that throughout the U.S and all places within their jurisdiction slavery nor involuntary servitude shall exist: and then the 2nd section declares that Congress shall have authority by appropriate legislation to carry this provision into effect. What that “apprppriate legislation” is is for Congress to determine, and nobody else.