The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1865-10-20
gplhifal
speech of President Johnson.

The First Regiment Of colored troops
belonging to the Distaict of Columbia, called
upon President Johnson at the Executive
Mansion the other day. On their arrival
they were received by the President, who
addressed them in the following language
Nix FRtENps: My object of presenting
myself letore you on this occasion is sim
ply to thank yon, members of one of the
colorod regiments which have been in the
service OF the country, to sustain and carry
its banner, and its Laws lrinmphantly in
every part OF this broad land. repeat
that appear before yoti on the present oe.
casion merely to tender you my thanks
for the compliment you have paid me
on your return home, again to be associ-
ated with your friends and yOur relatives
and those you hold most sacred and dear.
repeat have but little 10 say, il being
Unusual in this Government aud other COY
crnments to have colored troops engaged
in their service you have gone forth, as
events have shown, and served with
patience aud endurance in the cause Of your
country. This is yom country as well as
anybody clSe's country. lChters This is
the only country in which yon expect to
live and in which you should expect to do
something by your example in civil life as
you have done in the field. This country
is founded Oh the principles Of equality, and
at the same time the standard by which
persons are to be estimated, is according 10
their merit and their worth, and you have
observed, no doubt, that for him who does
his duty faithfully aud honestly, there is
always a just public Judgment that viii ap-t
prec.ato and measure Ont to him PROF or re-
ward know thatthefe il much well calcu-
lated in this Government, and siRce the hate
rebellion cOmmenced TO excite the while
aga'n the Llack and the black againet the
white man, there are things you should all
UNDERSTAND and at the SAME time prepare
yourselves for what is before you. Upon
the return of peace and surrender of the
enemies of the couutry, it should be the
duty OF every patriot aud every ole that
calls himself y Christian, to remember that
with tho termination Of the war, his resent
menis shonldl cease. that angry feelings
should subside and lhat every man should
become calm AID tranquil, aud be prepared
for what is before him: this is another part
Of yoIlr mission. YOu have been engaged
in the effort to sustain your county IN The
past, but the fntnro is more important to
you than the period in which You have just
been engaged. One great question las been
settled in this Government, aid that is sll.
very. The institution of slavery made war
against the United States and the United
States lifted its strong arms in vipdication
Of the Governmcn. and Of free Government,
and in lifting that arm and appealing TO the
God Of Battles, i has decided that tho in
stitution Of slavery must 90 down. Cheers
This has beeu done, aud the Goddess oi
Liberty. 10 bearing witness oyor many Of
our hAtile-6elds siIce The struggle CON-
has made her loCtiest light aud
proclaimed that true liberty lias heen cs.
tablished on more permanent and endnr-
lpg basis than heretofore. IApplansel
But this is mol oil, aud as you have paid nle
the pplimenitq 70 call upon INC, shall take
The priv ilcge of saving one or two words as
am before yOu. repeat, that is not all.
Now, wheu the sword is returned TO ta
ieablRds when yonr arms are reversed aud
he olive. branch Of peace Is extended, as ] 4
before, reseptInent aud revenge
,hopld snbside. Then what is 10 follow? |
You.do not understand, aud il you do vol. !
you can upt understand too spou Chat sind.