Litchfield enquirer., 1865-10-19

Atcnnelo, Conn., Tnufsoay, Dot. Is, 1865
 Mr. Johnson and tho Negro..
 On last week Tuesday, the First District Columbia colored regiment, which had just re turned home, marched to the Executive Man sion and was addressed by President Johnson. Had not his enemies been engaged for months in misrepredenting his sentiments, neither the fact that he received negro regiment or the matter of his speech would be worthy of special notice but as these contradict and overthrow the libels that have been circulated against him by the Democratic party, they possess 9 lively interest and importance. r asr -
 He opens his speech by thanking them for the service they had been to the country, in as- sisting to carry it's banner and its laws tri- umphantly in every part of this broad land.'- This is certainly very contradictory to one of the resolutions of his hypocritical friends, who, while endorsing him in one resolution, in another declares that the success of our arms was due to white soldiers only He recognizes, as every other sensible man does, but az dem ocrats' do not, that negro troops have been oi some service in the late war. stt
 But, Mr. Johnson proceeds to tender them his thanks for the compliment they have paid him on their return home. Mir. Johnson's ac- kuowledgement of this compliment is a, most severe rebuke to those fastidious patriots who scof at the black mans claims to respect and consideration. sE'
 This is your country as well as anybody else's country That is true. The spirit of our free government is to make this land the asylum for the oppressed of all nations.' And though We are not surprised that Mir. Johnson should say this, we are glad that he did, for it completely confounds his enemies who have been telling us that he believed this to he only a white mans government and that no nig- gers had any rights here anyhow. < gill;.
 You do understand no doubt, and if you do not you cannot understand too soon, that sim pie liberty does not mean the privilege of going into the service of the country as soldier. It means other things as we'll If it means more than this, what does it meanf He answers among other things: to govern yourselvss.'- MT. Johnson struck the bottom there, as well as when he said, This country is founded upon the principles of equality.' The President is not in favor of sweeping them from our land, or of keeping them in half emancipated state in it, but of placing them on an equality with their white neighbors according to their merit and their worth How many of his new fedged friends will endorse that2 .2s
 A little further on, as if purposely to collide with his conservative' admirers, he calls these black heroes his couatrymen.' Why should he notf Does any one doubt that there is deeper common sympathy between the patriot Andrew Johnson and these returned colored who have risked all for the Union that he cherishes, than between him and the rebels and rebel sympathizers, who for months have been Awning at his feet7 Doubtless he esteems them higher; for he says that, He is the most exalted who is the most meritorious without regard to color,' and if there is any merit in integrity and patriotism these black men are more neritorious' than their caiumni- ators. .tF 8'' "H4 c,
 In regard to the future of the negro MT. Johnson said that the problem to be solved is,
 Can four millions of people rsared as they have been, with all the prejudioes of the whites, can they take their places in the community and be made to work harmoniously and con gruously in our system?' It will.,be noticed that he mentions the prsjudices of the whites as the chief obstacle to negro equality, but he declares that he trusts that the great problem will be settled without going any farther.' If hat cannot be done and the two races are to become a separate and distinct people, Prov dence, that works mysteriously but unerringly md certainly, will point out the way by which 'hese people are to be separated, and they are Q be taken to their lands of inheritance and ,romise.' 7 s2 afad8 3'9'd sge s' oi*
 These brief quotations from his speech, are ! key to Presidents sentiments regarding the freedmen. Let us see if the ambitious scoun. lrels who have promised him their unqualified 'upport will adopt them. E. '' 05
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