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

Yesterday afternoon, the President Of the United
States gave an audience to Edward M. Thomas,
John F. Cook, John T. Costn, Cornelius Clark
and Benjamin Mccoy, q committee Of colored
men,
They were introduced to the President by Rev.
J. 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 EIcellencv had 70 say.
The President, after q few preliminary obser-
vations, Informed them that . sum Of money had
been appropriated by Cong .ess and placed at bis
discretion, for the purpose Of aiding the coloni-
Lation, In some country, Of the people, or por-
ton Of them, Of African descent thereby making
It his duty, a. Il had for long time been his
inclination, to favor that cause.
The President then mentioned some Of the
sons why they should leave this country. You
aud we are different races-we have between Us q
broader difference than exists between almost any
other two races Whether II is right or wrong
great disadvantage to us both, as think. Your
race suffer very greatly, many OF them, by living
among us; while ours suffer from your presence.
mitted, Il affords reason, at least, why we should
You here are fteemen, / suppose IA voice
"Yes, sir:nl Perhaps you have long been free,
II
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
/ equal y with the white race. You are cut OF
| from many Of the advantages which the other
| race enjoy. The aspiration of men 10 to enjov
equality With the best when free. But on this
| broad continent not Q single man Of your race 10
made the equal Of single man Of ours. 60 where
you are treated the best, and the ban 10 still upon
you do not propose TO discuss this, but pre-:
| seat II a. q fact with which we have to deal.
cannot alter II II would. tits fact about which
we all think and feel alike-l and you.
We look 70 our condition owing 10 the exis.
| tence Of the two rsces on this continent. | need
not recount TO you the effects upon white men
Iieve In its general evil effects on the white race
eee our present condition-the country engaged
In war-our white men cutting one another
threats, none knowing how far Il will extend,
and then consider what We know to be the
truth-but for your race among Us this waf could
not have an sxistence; although many men On.
gaged on either side DO not care for yeu one way
Institution Of slsvefy, and the coiored race %
bsss, this vsr could not have an existence. II Il
better fos u, therefor, 10 b separated -
IL 1 know that these are free men among you who
evcn II thsy coul4 better their condition, ere no
much Inclined 70 20 out Of the country e thos'
whs being slaves, could obtain their freedom OF
ne oSsdiao1 -, supp'.s one e tSs p.ineipl.
J celofed man cannot see that his comfort woult
b advanced BY IL. You may believe you cal
| live quietly In Wsshiugtou, or elsewhere In thi
| United States, the remainder Of vow lie, pFf
laps more 90 tan you can In any fofeign conn
try, ana hence you may come 70 ths conclusioi
t6st yon have nothing 70 Do with the ises Of 10
ng 70 Soss4sa counAy fh'sss, speak ~ y