Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-08-15
INTERVIEW BETWEEN President
LINCOLN AND A COMMITTEE OF COL
ORED MEN.

Yesterday afternoon, the President Of the United
States gave an u1ience to Edward M. Thomas,
John F. Cook, John T. Costin, Cornelius Clark
and Benjamin Mccoy, q committee Of colofed
men.
They were introduced to the President by Rev.
} Mitchell, the commissioner Of emigration.
The President received them with great kindness,
shaking hands very cordially with each one.
The Introductory ceremonies being over, Mr..
Thomas, chairman Of the committee, rose and re-
marked that they were there by invitation TO hear
what his Excellency had to say.
The President, after q few preliminary obser-
Sstions, informed tn that sum Of money had
discretion, for the purpose OF aiding the eoloni-
zation, In some country, Of the people, or por-
tion Of them, Of African descent; thereby making
II bis duty, a. II had for a long time been Ills
inclination, to favor that cause
The President then mentioned some OF the rea-
sons why they should leave this country. You
and we are different faces-we have between us a
broader difference than exists between almost any
other two races. Whether II Is RICH or wrong
need not discuss, but this physical difference is q
great disadvantage to us both, as I think. Your
race suffer very greatly, many Of them, by living
among Us; while ours suffer from your presence
In a word, we suffer on each side. IL this Is ad-
mi.ted, It affords reason, at least, why we should
You here are freemen, suppose. IA voice
eyes, sir.'l Perhaps you have long been free,
or all your lives. Your race are suffering, In nv
| judgment, the greatest wrong indicted on any
| people; but even when you cease to be slaves,
| you are vet far removed from being placed on an
| co uali with the white race. You are cut of
from many Of the advantages which the other
race enjoy. The aspiration Of men 10 to enjoy
| equality With the best when free. But on this
broad continent not q single man Of your race IL
| made the equal of single man Of ours. Go where
you are treated the best, and the ban II still upon
| you. do not propose to discuss this, but pre-
| sent II as q fact with which we have to deal. I
cannot alter II II would. Its fact about which
| we all think and feel alike-l and you.
| We look 70 our condition owing TO the exis-
| tence Of the two races on this continent need
not recount to you the effects upon white men,
/ growing out Of the institution Of slavery. be.
ieve IN Its general evil effects on the white race
See our present condition-the country engaged
| In war-our white men cutting one another q
threats, mono knowing how far II will extend,
| and then consider what we know TO be the
| uuth-but for your race among Us this war could
gagged on either side do not care for you one way
OF the other. Nevertheless, repeat, without the
Institution Of slavery, and the colored race az q
bash, this war could not have an existence IL Ia
better for ~, therefor, 70 be separated. 80
4 know that there are ffee men among you who,
even II they could better their condition, are no;
q much inclined TO 60 out Of the country - those
who being slaves, could obtain their freedom on
this condition. I suppose one Of the principle
eolored man cannot see that his comfort would
be advanced by It, You may believe You Ca
i've quietiy In w ashington, or elsewhere in the
| United sac, the remainder Of you .ise pef.
| e4ps more 20 Than You tan In any for 1, n % IN.
uy, an1 hence you n-as cyne 10 the coLcluslon
| that you have nothips 70 ID with the Idea ef 90
ing To- tessisn country. This ", speak N NJ