[Twenty Years of Congress, Volume 2 (of 2) by James Gillespie Blaine]@TWC D-Link bookTwenty Years of Congress, Volume 2 (of 2) CHAPTER VII 12/38
I was pleased to learn from the leading men whom I met that they not only accepted the decision as final, but now that the smoke of battle has cleared away and time has been given for reflection, that this decision has been a fortunate one for the whole country." He suggested that the Freedmen's Bureau be put under command of military officers in the respective departments, thus saving the expense of a separate organization.
This would create a responsibility that would secure uniformity of action throughout the South.
His general characterization of the Bureau was, that it tended to impress the freedman with the idea that he would not be compelled to work, and that in some way the lands of his former master were to be divided among the colored persons. The supporters of the Administration considered General Grant's report a strong justification of their position towards the South, and they used it with some effect throughout the country.
The popularity of the Lieutenant-General was boundless, and of course there was strong temptation to make the most of whatever might be said by him.
Mr. Sumner immediately demanded the reading of the report of Mr.Schurz. He likened the message of the President to the "whitewashing" message of President Pierce with regard to the enormities in Kansas.
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