, 1865-04-20
SPEECH OF ANDREW JOHN
Hd1N AT NASHVILLE


President Andrew Johnson's speech to the
colorcd people Of Nashville on the 24th ult.-
already noticed-Is fully reported By acor-
respondent Of the Cincinnati Ga.etft, 'ho
says; "That part Of the Governors speech
in which he described and denounced he aris-
tocracy Of Nashville cannot hope to render
properly; but there ras one point which
must not overlook. He spoke ~ follsws:"
"The representatives. Of this corrupt land
II you will permit mo to swear !itt!e) lh:s
sire to see Justice done. and charge US With
favoring negro equality. OF all living nen
they should be the last to mouth that phrase;
and even when uttered In their hearing, It
should cause their cheeks to tlnge and bum
with shame. Negro equality, indeed Why, wy,
Street. where thsEe arlstocrats more parttcu-
larly dwell-thcsc atistocrats, whose sons are
now in the bands Of gnerillat and cut throats
who proW}. aud rob, and murder around our
city-pass by their dwellings, say, and you
will see as many mulatto as negro enl!oren,
the former bearing an unmtstakable resem-
bIaRce to their aristocrasic owners!
"Colored men Of Tennessee! This, too,
shall cease! Your wives and daughters shall
no lopgsr be dragged into concubinage, COM
pared to which po)ysamy is virtue, to safis-
il the brutal lusts Of shareholders ana over
inv Of marriage shall be respected III your
persons, and the great State Of Tennessee
shall no more give her sanction to your dce~
radiation and your shamc!"
- Thank God thank God. !" came from
the ltps of q thousand women, who IN their
iquity Of the man'sel.er's eede. Thank
| God II farventlJ echoed the fathers, husbands
| and brothers OF these women.
| And If the law protects yen In the pos
session of your wives and children; tne
law shields those women you hold dear from
the unlawful grasp Of lust VII you eaaea.es ps
10 be true to yourselves, and shun, as It were
death itself1the path Of lewdness, crime, and
1--WE will! we will ~ cried the assembled
Thousands and, Joining in sublime ana
fearful enthusiasm, another mighty shon1
WI" aIookipg at this vast crowd Of colored
ncon|e.n continued the Governor, and re-
flecting through what storm OF persecution
and ob}oquy they are compelled to pass, am
almost compelled to wish that, Us In the lay;
Of old, q Moses might arise, Mho should lead
them safely TO their promised land Of freedom
stYnn are our Moses n shouted seyera
vo,ces, and the exclamation was caught ur
and cheered untI} the Capital rung again.
"God," continued the apeak;er, no aonn 70
thr rrcat work he dcGigns to perform In be
. haIf Of this outraged people and IN due tim
4onr leader will come forth your Moses VII
oe e.I i've want no Moses but you!" agai'
s;Well. then, replied The speaker, "humbl
: and Unworthy as am. If no other bette
y ahali he found, will indeed be -Four Moses
hs9ph r. ns Red of ssi SI,1 G TaF
:, -eacsI speak nov as one who feels th
: Eor1d bis country, and all who lore eqns
: iuhts T his friends. speak, too. as cltize
: rT ~ Tennetsec. am: hare on my own soil
y ~ "a iere mean to stay and fight this gtea
!, hattis hat n nf truth and justice to triumphau
u end Rebellion aud slavery shall by God
:, eno snoi helm no longer pollute osr State: Loyl
C 5uua s.n whether Write or black, shall alo1
a oan41o! her dcstinics and when this strife
% % ssh,c3, We ara all engaged is past, trust,
u ,'nnH Mmsn we shall have better state Of thing
% sna shall III rejoice that honest labor real
~ nv nv frnSt Of it's own industry, and that ere
VI VI .n has a fair Glance in The race Of life.'
~ 'c # IL impossible to describe the enthuslas
u vhici1 fnlIoved these We1ds. Joy heamed
+. s,nrx connt nance. Tears aud laughter #
sae inwcd zach other In quick succession. T
~ g1rat tbrong moved and sWayed back Al
- - S1h in the intensity Of emotion, and aho
he after shout rent Inc Az