Xliii.
On the 26th of May—1862—of the previous year, Senator Sumner had introduced a Resolution to the effect that the time had come for the nation to invite all persons, without distinction of color, to come forward everywhere to render all the assistance in their power to the cause of the Union, according to their ability, whether by arms, labor, information, or in any other way. On the 17th of the following July, an Act was approved, authorizing the President to receive into the service of the United States, persons of African descent who might be found competent to aid in constructing entrenchments, or performing camp service or labor.This was the beginning of a wise policy in our legislation regarding the employment of Colored men. In the following October, at Fanueil Hall, Mr. Sumner had spoken in justification of a direct appeal to the slaves of Rebels: but this was on all sides regarded as premature, at least. On the 9th of the following February, 1863, however, he introduced a bill to raise additional soldiers for the service of the United States, and to accept every able-bodied free male person of African descent, of the age of eighteen, and under forty-five years, for military service, the monthly pay of such free persons to be the same as that of volunteers; provided, that the whole number thus called into the service should not exceed [418] one hundred thousand men. But the Bill was not reach ed during the session. Colored volunteers had, however, been accepted everywhere, and the evidence of their bravery, and above all, their patriotic zeal, was placed beyond criticism—it was above praise.
