Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-10-10
SECOND EDITION.
O'CLOCK p. m,
THE PRESIDENTS sPEpuH

THE PRESIDENTS SPEDUH.
The First District Colored Regiment marched,
from their quarters in Campbell Hospital to
the Executive Mansion this morning, to be re-
viewed by the President, who briefly addressed
the command. He said that he appeared
simply to tender his thanks for the compliment
they had paid him on their return home to the
associations of friends and relatives and those
they held most dear. He appeared because it
was unusual in this and other Governments
to have colored regiments in the army, and he
appreciated their good will in thus visiting
him, as he had the evidences Of their faithful
ness in the service. They were now expected
to do as much in civil life as they had in the
field. The standard by which people are to be
elevated is their conduct and worth, and he
who did his duty faithfully and justly would
always find that popular sentiment would
measure out proper reward. He knew that
there had been much during the war TO
excite the white against the black
and the black against. the white, but
now on the return Of peace all resentment
should terminate, and their minds should be
directed to the future before them. The future
was far more important than the scenes through
which they had passed. 1t was true slavery
had ended. That institution had made war
upon the Government and the Government
had lifted its strong arm and decided that
slavery must 60 down. But this was not all.
Now when the sword was returned to it's scab-
bard and the olive branch of peace waved over
us all, resentment and revenge should end.
They should understand that liberty did not
consist wholly in going into the service as a
soldier. When they laid down their arms and
DOTTED their uniforms another subject would
come up to engross their attention. There was
great problem before them, and they were to
decide how to solve it. Now that they. We're
about to return to the avocations of peace, they
must give evidence to the world that they were
competent TO govern themselves. Liberty was
not mere idea or vagary, but a reality. 1t did
not consist in being idle and worthless, or in
doing as they pleased. There must be law, and
obedience and submission to law without re-
gard to color. Liberty consisted of the I'll orious
privilege to work, each pursuing the avoca-
tons of peace with industry and economy, and
to enjoy the products Of ones own labor Lib
erty meant to be moral, industrious, virtuous
and upright in all their dealings with men. As
they went from the Capital of the Nation it
was of great importance that they should OBJ.
serve these principles. They had heard a great
deal about men standing equal before the law,
ed, without regard to color. The talk of pass
ing laws to make the whites black before night,
and blacks white before day was all stuff.
That was not the idea of equality
He had lived in the South all his life, and
knew the habits of the colored people. Now,
they should observe, above all other things,
the contract and associations OF married life.
Women should abstain from the habits ac-
qured during the war. Virtue, marriage, and
intelligence was the standard to observe as
their ruling principle of life. They should
return to their homes and firesdes with a
fixed and unalterable determination to do their
duty in the future as they had in the past, and
should abstain from all the chickering's that
follow competition between races The great
problem now was whether their race could be
incorporated with the white people of the
United States, so as to live together in har-
mony. We were trying TO solve that question
Slavery had been struck to the ground, and
that part of the problem was solved, but now
arose the more important query, whether these
four millions could take their place among the
population and work tremendously in our
system. Are the digestive powers of the
Government able to take In this ele-
hnaI ryx,J
what they We're trying to do, but il the
experiment did not succeed, they must sepa-
rate as distinct people. If the laws of Provi-
dence required that they should separate,
Providence would point out the way they
were to take to the land Of their inheritance
and promise if there was one before them. Our
duty was to discover what are the laws that lie
at the foundation of things, and then conform
ing to them, Providence would deliver us from
the difficulties we had contneded with so long.
In conclusion, he would thank them again
for the compliment they had paid HIM, trust
ing that what he had said in a desultory man
ner would be appreciated, and would stimu-
late them to acts Of worthiness and value to
the country.
The remarks Of the Presiden: were fire.
quently interrupted by applause, and at their
end Col. Hogman moved into the avenue with
his column, marching down to eth street, and
thence to Campbell Hospital, where the regi-
ment was to partake of the Inequalities Of the
cOlOred citizens OF Washington.
Upon the arrival of the regiment at Camp
bell Hospital 1t was closed in mass by divis-
ions in front Of the music stand in the enclo.
sure, where they stacked their arms, and stood
prepared to hear the addresses. Upon the
stand with the committee of arrangements and
| field officers of the regiment was Rev. Mr.
Raymond, who was first to take an active part
| in organizing the regiment, and who was first
| intended to command it: Rev. Mr.. Mace, mis-
sionary of the colored people of the District
| Mr.. G. H. Bliss, DIR. Woolley, Rev. H. NJ
Turner, chaplain Of the regiment, and several
representatives OF the press. The crowd Of
spectators was very numerous, but orderly
After the performance of music by the regi-
mental band, Mr.. Robert Booker introduced
George +. 7. Cook, son of the late Rev. John
+. Cook. as the person who presented the regi-
ment with the beautiful flag, of which all that
remains is the staff
Mr.. Cooke proceeded in an appropriate man.
ner to welcome the regiment home. The regi-
ment, he said, lett the District a so-called ex-
pertinent, but returns an indisputable fact
attested by the 220 who remain Of the original
1000 who marched away. The speaker de-
scribed in feeling terms the sufferngs they had
endured and the battles they had participated
in in defence of their country. The orator, in
behalf Of the coiored people of the district.
greeted the returned soldiers. and pledged the
ment.
This address was followed by brief addresses
from Colonel Raymond and Mr.. q. H. Bliss.
Sergeant q. w. Hatton, colored, recently of
the regiment, addressed the regiment briefly
upon their trials in the past and their hopes for
the future, which ended the speaking at the
stand.
After half an hour given the troops to rid
themselves of their trappings and prepare for
dinner, they were conducted to the dining
room. The tables were arranged in splendid
style, extending the entire length of the hall.
The committee Of arrangements, of which
James Wormley, well known caterer for the
public, was chairman, had provided every
thing that the season affords, prepared in the
best style, and, to their credit we would saw
not drop Of intoxicating liquor was seen.
RESTORATION OF THE soTHOBoN ESTATE.
dered the restoration to Mrs. Col. John H.
Sothoron Of the valuable property in St. Mary's
county, Md, upon which one of the govern
ment farms for the use of the freedmen is loca.