Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-05-16
president johnson andtne ooIored peopls

GA Thursday last, delegation Of colorcl
pastors waited On President Johnson for the
purpose Of presenting copy Of the resolutions
passed by the members Of the National Theoo-
gioll Institute for colored ministers, In Wash
in9ton, expressive Of their grief at the death Of
Tue late President, their gratitude at the emau-
c'pation wrought in connection with his Admin
istfation, containing also reference TO his ex-
preston of devout regard for the Sacred
Scriptures as the book Of God and the revelation
OF a Saviour, and u declaration Of their spirit
Of loyalty and fidelity aud devotion to the Gov
ernment with reference to the future. They
were cOurtsousy received, and ln reply to a
speech OF the Rev. \. rurney, d. d President
johnson said ;--
Ia responding to what you have said on this
occasion as the representative and organ Of
those colJred msn who stand about you, pre-
eume it il hardly necessary for mo to inform
them as to what my course has been in reference
To their condition. | imagine there is not a
colorcd man within the reach OF information but
has TO some extent been Informed upon, and
placed in possession of, a knowledge OF the
coarse hasO pursued in the past in reference to
their present condition.
Now shall talk TO them plainly. They know
| have been born and raised in slave State
that have owned slaves, raised slaves, but
never sold one.
They know. presume, that my slaves have
been made free, and that there is q difference ia
the responsibility that persons have taken in
reference to emancipation when living In or out
of slave States IL is very easy for man who
lives beyond the borders to talk about the con-
dition OF colored men, when 10 fact they know
little about H. They know they have some
friends who feel as cordially toward them, and
who live beyond the Southern lines They
know, ton, there arc men there who, though
they have been masters, yet feel as deep at
Interest in aud regard for them, and would dc
as much for their elevation and amelioraton, o.
those who live anywhere else
feel it would be unnecessary for me to stat
what have done in this great cause Of emauci-
patton. ! have stood in thtir midst met thei
| iaunts and jeers, and rsked all in the shape ol
property life, md lmb-not that would claim
anything to myself in establishing, sustaining
and carrying cut tue great principle that mar
could not owl property in man. | was tho frs
| that stocl in slave community and announced
the great fact that the slaves OF Tennessee wer'
| free upon the same principle as those were wht
assumed 10 own them.
know il is easy to talk and proclaim senii
nenls upon paper, but It is one thing to hsSi
theories and another to reduce them to practice
aud | must say here, what have no doubt il
permanently fixed in your minds, and the i'm
| preston deep, that there is one thiog you ough
TO teacb and they ehould understand, that in
transition state, passing from bond to free, whei
\ the tyrants rod has been hent and the yok'
broken, we ind too nany-it is best to tall
| plaiu-ihere are, say, too many in this transi
ton state, passing from bondage to freedom
who fOrl "a. II they should have nothing TO do
and fall back upon the Government for support
too many inclined to become loafers aud depen.
| . lta In nba ~
They seem to think that with freedom ever.
hing they need Is to coma like mama frog
heaven.
Now, ] want to impress this upon your minds
that freedom simply means liberty to work au'
enjoy tut product II your own hands. Til s j
| the correct d,huiti0u ot freedom, in the mos
extensive sense Of the term.
| There is another thing aud I have been sur
prised that people beyond the lines have no
pressed upon You this important idea. II is eas.
in Congress and from the pulpit North au
South to talk about polygamy, and Brigham
Young, and debauehery of various kinds, bu
there is also Que great fact, that four millions G
people lived in open and notorious ooncubinase
The time has come when you must correct thi
thing. You know what say is true, and yo
must do something to correct il by example a
well as by words and professions.
1t is not necessary for me to give you any RS
eurance of what my future course will be iu ref
erence toyour condition. Now, when the ordra
is passed, there can be no reason to think that
shall turn back in the great cause in which
have sacrificed much, and perilled all.
can give you no assurance worth more thai
my course heretofore, and | shall continue 1
do oil that can for the elevation and ameiora
tion of your condition; and ! trust in God tn
time may soon come when you shall be gathered
| together, in cline md country suited to you
should it be found that the two races cannot Z,
along together
trust God will continue 10 conduct us til
the great end shall be accomplished aud the
WORK reach its great contamination,
Accept my thaOks for this manifestation Of
your respect ani regird
.sast