The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1865-10-18
President Johnson's Speech to
the Negro Troops.

iment of black troops, and took occasion
to make little speech, which contains a
great deal of practical sense and is valu-
able as indicating the temper and pur-
poses Of his mind regarding questions
which are becoming CT painful import
ance, both to whites and blacks. The
President probably knows the black race
as well as anybody, and if we had no
other reason to believe this we should
have it in the way he addresses them on
this occasion:
This is your country as well as anbody
else's country. [Cheers. This is the
country in which you expect to live, and
in which you expect to do something by
YOUR example in civil life as you have
done in the field. This country is found
ed upon the principles of equality, and
at the same time the standard by which
persons ale to be estimated is according
to their merit and their worth; and you
have observed, no doubt, that for him
who does his duty faithfully and honest
ly, there is always a just public judgment
that will appreciate and measure out 10
him his proper reward. | know that
there is much well calculated in the gov
eminent and since the late rebellion com.
menced, to excite the white az inst the
black and the black against the white
man. There are things you should all
understand, and AT the same time pre-
pare yourself for what is before you. Up
on the return of peace and the surrender
of the enemies of the country, it should
be the duty OF every patriot and every one
who calls himself Christian to remem-
Der that at the termination of the war
his resentments should cease, that angry
feelings should subside, and that every
man should become calm and tranquil,
and be prepared for what is before him.
This is another part of your mission
You have been engaged in the effort 10
sustain your country in the past, but the
future is more important to you than the
period in which you have just been en-
gagged.
lie labors to impress them with a sense
of the responsibility they have taken on
becoming freemen, and to show them
the true way to use their new acquisition,
so as that it may be blessing to them
and to the country.
Will you now, when you have returned
from the army of the United States. and
taken position of citizen; when you
have returned to the associations of
peace, will you give evidence to the
world that you are capable and compe-
tent to govern yourselves That is what
you will have to do. Liberty is not
mere idea; a vaga'y 1t is an idea, or
it is reality; and when you come to ex-
anime this question Of liberty, you will
not be mistaken in mere idea for the
reality. 1t does not consist in idleDess.
Liberty does not consist in idleness.-
Liberty does not consist in being worth
less Liberty does not consist in doing
all things as we please, and there can be
no liberty without law. In government
Of freedom and Of liberty there must be
law and there must be obedience and sub
mission to the law, without regard to col
or. Cheers. Liberty land may not
call you my countrymen) consists in the
glorious privilege of work; of pursuing
the ordinary avocations of peace with in
dustry and economy; and that being
done, all those who have been industri-
GUS and economical are permitted TO APP
propriate and enjoy the products Of their
own labor. Cheers This is one of
the great blessings Of freedom and
hence we might ask the question, and
answer it by stating that liberty means
freedom to work and enjoy the products
Of your own labor. You will soon be
mustered out of the ranks. 1t is for you
to establish the great fact that you al e
fit and qualified to be free.
He assure them that legislation can do
little for their elevation, except as il is
aided by their own efforts for the devel-
opment of their moral and intellectual
qualities, and that as race, and rela-
lively as individuals, their social rank
must mainly depend on this He speaks
of the future of the two races attempt
ing to live together as a problem--a
problem which he expects will be settled
"without going any furt her." but if not
Providence will point out the way.
He holds the ,destinies of pations in the
palm Of His hand; and He will solve he
question and rescue these people from the
difficulties that have 50 long surrounded
them. Then let us be patient, .ndustri-
Gus and persevering Let us develop our
intellectual and moral worth. | trust
what l have said may be understood and
appreciated. Go to your homes and
lead peaceful, prosperous and happy lives,
in peace with all men. Give utterance
to no word that will cause dissensions
but do that which will be creditable to
yourselves and your country. To the
officers who have so nobly led and COM
manded you in the field, / also return
my thanks for the compliment you have
conferred upon me.
The whole tone of the speech indi-