Mr. MOULTON. Mr. Speaker, I desire to submit some thoughts in connection with the bill now under consideration, and in doing so I desire, as far as my time will allow, to answer some of the objections that have been urged, especially by my distinguished colleague from the 11 t district of Illinois, [Mr. Mna SHALL] It will be impossible for me, in the short time allowed to me, to enter as fully into the consideration of this question as I should issue. I will, therefore, proceed at once to submit as briefly as I can some reasons why I shall vote for this bill. What is the object of this bill? As I understand it, it is to protect 4 million people who have solong been denied civil rights in the southern States, and who are now deendent to a greater or less extent for the enjoyment of whatever rights they have upon protection from our Government. This state of things is one of the consequences of the war. These men have been thrown upon our hands in a helpless condition; they are unable to defend themselves, and are in the midst of a population whose prejudices have ever been against them. Now, in regard to the 1st of the objections made by the Idistinguished Gentfrom Illinois, [Mr. hIARSllALL] as well as by the Gentfrom Indiana, Mr. Kenn? on yesterday, which is that this bill is in vioation of the constitution of the U.S., that we have no authority whatever to pass any such bill as this, permit me to say that this is the very argument that we have heard from the other side of this Chamber for the last 5 years with reference to ever single measure that has been proposed to this House for the prosecution of the war for the Union. No measure has been passed for the benelit of the country, for the prosecution of this war, for the defense ofyour rights and mine, but has been assailed by gentlemen on the opposite side of this House with the argument that the whole thing was unconstitutional. This objection has been set forth in. very elaborate, distinct, and set phrase in the platform the adopted at Chicago. It was the grarameno the charge they madeagainst the Administration, that its acts were unconstitutional and void, and were usurations. Now, the Gentfrom Illinois [Mr. Mane SHALL] asks us on this side of the House to in form him where we get the power to pass this bill for the protection of this class of people in the South. I will recite some of the provisions of the constitution in which I believe ample and sufficient constitutional authority can be found for every word and every letter in this bill. The constitution declares that Congress shall have power to declare war and make rules and regulations concerning captures on land or upon water; that Congress shall have power to raise and support armies; that Congress shall have power to make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces of the U.S.; that Congress shall have power to provide for calling out the militia to execute the laws, to suppress insurrection, to secure tranquillity, and to repel invasion; that Congress shall have power to make all laws necessary and proper for carrying into execution the oregoing powers and it is also made the duty of Congress to guaranty to each State a RFG, and to provide for the common good and for the general welfare. The constitution also provides that the citizens of each State shall be entitled to all the immunities and privileges of the citizens of the respective States and last, though not least, the constitutional amendment which has just been ratified for the abolition of slaver provides that Congress shall by properlegisation carry into execution the provisions of that amendment. Here, Mr. Speaker, is where I find ample and sufficient power for the enactment of every provision of t 5 bill. This bureau is completely and entirely a military establishment. tis not dependent at all upon the civil authority of this Government. It proceeds upon the assumption that it emanates from the POTUS as Commanderin Chief, and it is to he executed through the milita Dept of this Government. ow, I understand that in time of war whatever is necessar for the purpose of carrying on the war and rining it to atriumphant conclusion, provided it e in accordance with the laws of nations, is within the authority of the conquering Power. This Government is now acting upon the assumption that war exists today in althe rebel States. The Government has proceeded upon that policy up to the present moment. ll ilitary orders are being issued every day for the regulation and government of alfairs in those States. Why, sir, GenlGrant afew days ago, or li s the 14th or 16th of last month, issue an cider embracing substantially the revisions of this bill, and applying them to all tesouthern States. That order provided that wherever any discrimination had in any of those rebel States been made in regard to the freedmen or the refugees or the loyal ieople, these should be completely and perfect y protected against the enforcement of all orders or statutes ema nating from State or local authority. I would like to ask the gentlemen on that side whether they consider that order constitutional or not; for I understand they intend to run GenlGrant as their candidate for President in 1868. GenlGrants order is in these words: [General OrderS.No. 3.) WAR DEPT. Anmrsnr GENERALSOFFICE, wABHINGTON, January 12, 1866. To protect parlor }:quaimt improper civil mils and pm alticaat laterebelliousStates. Military division and Dept commanders. whosecommandsembraceor are composedof any of the late rebellious States, and who have not already done so. Wlll at onceissueand enforceordersprotecting from prosecutionor suits in the State or municipal courts of such State. ulloflicers and soldiers of the armies of the U.S and all persons thereto attached, or in anywisethereto belonging. subjectto military apthority. Charged with offensesor actsdone in their military capacity, or pursuant to ordersfrom proper military authority; and to protect from suit or rosccution all loyal citizens or personscharged with offenses done against the rebel forces, directly or indirectly, during the existence of the rebellion and all persons. their agents and omployCs. charged with the occupancy of abandoned lands or plantations, or the possession or custody of any kind of property whatever. whooccupied used. Possessed or controlled the same pursuant to the order of the President or any of the civil or military Depts of the Government and to protectthemfrom any penaltiesordam esthat may have been or may be pronounced or judged in saideourtsin anyof such cases: apdalso protecting colored persons from prosecutions in any of said States charged With otfcnsesfor which white persons are not prosecuted or punished in the same manner and degree: By command of Lieutenant GenlGrant: E. D. TOWNSEND. Asst Adjutant General. Sir, I repeat, we have proceeded up to the present moment upon the assumtion that war still exists. Military officersal through the southern States have issued orders nulfying completqlily the statutes of those States.