Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1865-10-19
,.,,dcnt JohnsOn's speech Ia the
Negro Troops.

Mansion on Tuesday last, where they
,r,-. reviewed by the President, who
a3jrqssed them as follows;
II NV FRIENDS: My object in present
rr, myself before you on this occasion
Is SIMPLY 10 thank you, members OF one
nfthe Colored regiments which have
bpen in the service Of the country, TO
snstaip and carry it's banners and its
H laws triumphant!y in every part OF the
broad land l repeat that | appear be-
before YOU on the present occasion mere
IL to tender you my thanks for the COM
nliment you have paid me on your re-
turn home, TO again be associated with
vour friends and your relations, and
4 those you hold most sacred and dear
renrat, | have but little to say. 1t
beipg unusual in this government and
in most of the other governments to
have cOlOred troops engaged in their
service you have gone forth, as events
have shown, and served with patience
and endurance in the cause of your
country This Is your country as well
as ANYBODY else's country. Cheers. J
Tbis !, the country in which you expect
10 live and in which you should expect
10 do something by your example in
civil life a. you have done in the field
n This country is founded upon the prin-
cipes Of equality, and at the same time
the standard by which persons are to be
estimated is according to their merit
and their worth; and you have OBJ
served, no doubt, that for him who does
his duty faithfully and honestly, there
is always just public judgment that
will appreciate and measure out to him
his proper reward. | know that there
is much well calculated in the govern
meDt and since the late rebellion com
menced to excite the white against the
black and the black against the white
mau. There are things you should all
understand, and at the same time pre-
pare Yourself for what is before you.
Upon the return of p ace and the sur
render of the enemies of the country, it
should be the duty of every patriot and
every one who calls himself Christian
10 remember 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 to sustain your country in the
past, but the future is more important
10 you than the period in which you
have just been engaged. One great
question has been settled in this govern
ment, and that is the question of slav-
sery. The institution of slavery made
war against the United States, and the
$Cnited States has lifted its strong arm
lin vindication of the government and
of free government; and in lifting that
arm, and appealing to the God of Bat
Ties it has been decided that the insti-
button ofslavery must go down. TCheers
This has been done; and the GODDESS of
N Liberty, in bearing witness over many
o. our attle-tieds since the struggle
commenced has made the Hottest flight,
and proclaimed that true liberty has
I'D been established upon a more perma-
lent and enduring basis than heretofore.
Il iApplause
But this is not all and as you have
paid me the compliment to call upon
ne. l shall take the privilege of saying
4 one or two words, as | am before you. |
repeat that it is not all Now, when
n the sword is returned to the scaboard,
MWhen your arms are reversed, and the
sbiye branch Of peace is extended, as |
Saemarked before, resentment. and re
l@sengc should subside Then what is to
4oHOw You do understand, no doubt,
Sbnd if you do not, you cannot under
Stand too soon that simple liberty does
pot mean the privilege Of going into the
#Dattle field, or into the service of the
Afolntry as a soldier. 1t means other
NthIngs as well and now, when you
NnaYe laid down your arms, there are
Eother objects OF equal Importance be
4 lore you. Now that the government
Mas trlumphantly passed through this
#rebe.on, after the most gigantic bat
lies the world ever saw, the problem is
4 before you, and it is best that you
Ashould understand it and therefore, |
Speak simply and plainly. VIII you
nov when you have returned from the
trmy OF the United States, and raken
position Of citizen when you have re
Nrned to the associations of peace, will
wv give evidence to the world that you
81 capable and competent to govern
yourselves That is what you will have
! 40 Liberty is not a mere idea Il
sasafy, 1t Is an idea, or it is a reality
shu when you come to examine this
d a1t, OF liberty you will not be mis-
IN a mere idea for the reality. 1t
zsoeS not consist in idleness. Liberty
20 not consist in being worthless.
y oerty does not consist in doing all
lngs as we please, and there can be
- liberty without law. In a govern
ZEN OF freedom and of liberty there
&ust be law aud there must be obedience
"a submission to the law, Without re
Ard to color. Cheers Liberty (aud
nay not call you my couutrymen) con
- IN the glorious privilege of work
pursuing the ordinary avocations of
r. WIN inanstry aud economy and
mai being done all those who hive
peen industrious and economical arr. nar.
htted to appropriate and emo, the prn
9pcts of their own labor fCbeers I
MS Is one of the great blessings of free
SCm and hence we might ask the cues
~ ~, aud answer it by stating Thai
means freedom to work and on.
~ 'ne products of your own labor
~ Will soon be mustered ont Of the
IS 1t is for you to establish me
81 ~ '%C' mat you are tt and qualified
w. De free H.. 't'N' f"''iiuSN