Changes

In 1861, Wilson was elected to the U.S. House from Iowa's 1st congressional district (the southern portion of the state), defeating [[Democrat]] opponent Julius E. Neal by sixteen percentage points.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=474326 IA - District 01 Race - Special Election Race - Oct 08, 1861]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved November 27, 2021.</ref> He filled the vacancy left upon the resignation of Samuel Ryan "S. R." Curtis,<ref name=nytimesobit/> who was appointed to become a [[colonel]] in the [[American Civil War]].

In 1861, Wilson was elected to the U.S. House from Iowa's 1st congressional district (the southern portion of the state), defeating [[Democrat]] opponent Julius E. Neal by sixteen percentage points.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=474326 IA - District 01 Race - Special Election Race - Oct 08, 1861]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved November 27, 2021.</ref> He filled the vacancy left upon the resignation of Samuel Ryan "S. R." Curtis,<ref name=nytimesobit/> who was appointed to become a [[colonel]] in the [[American Civil War]].

Rep. Wilson's first action in Congress was introducing a resolution prohibiting fugitive slaves from being returned to [[the South]] and ordering the dismissal of any military officer that instructs troops to do such, which was enacted.<ref name=nytimesobit/> He in addition reported legislation which enfranchised blacks in [[Washington, D.C.]], as well as shepherding a bill that granted freedom to the family of black soldiers.

Rep. Wilson's first action in Congress was introducing a resolution prohibiting fugitive slaves from being returned to [[the South]] and ordering the dismissal of any military officer that instructs troops to do such, which was enacted.<ref name=nytimesobit/> He in addition reported legislation which enfranchised blacks in [[Washington, D.C.]], as well as shepherding a bill that granted freedom to the family of black soldiers.

Wilson in 1863 introduced a joint resolution aimed at ratifying the [[Emancipation Proclamation]].<ref name=legalisticfreesoiler/> The following year, he authored the [[13th Amendment]] which abolished [[slavery]] in the United States.<ref name=iowalegislaturebio/> Wilson also later rallied House Republican support for the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which was considered a forerunner to the [[14th Amendment]].<ref name=legalisticfreesoiler/> His speech refuting arguments calling it unconstitutional were remarked by [[James G. Blaine]] as having:

Wilson in 1863 introduced a joint resolution aimed at ratifying the [[Emancipation Proclamation]].<ref name=legalisticfreesoiler/> The following year, he authored the [[13th Amendment]] which abolished [[slavery]] in the United States.<ref name=iowalegislaturebio/> Wilson also later rallied House Republican support for the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which was considered a forerunner to the [[14th Amendment]].<ref name=legalisticfreesoiler/> His speech refuting arguments calling it unconstitutional were remarked by [[James G. Blaine]] as having:

{{cquote|...great strength and legal research.|||James Gillespie Blaine}}

{{cquote|...great strength and legal research.|||James Gillespie Blaine}}