The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1865-10-18
Yours truly,
CHARLEY. '
President johnson to the ColOred Troops.

\ few days since, the President made a
speech TO the colored regiment Of the Dis
trict Of Columbia. which has some interest
as beng supposed perhaps. 10 be measurably
indicate of the views and policy Of the
President on some political points We
subjoin some portions Of the address, which
show very good sense But We protest
against our public men continuing TO lug
in forever the idea Of colonization. or Of any
general separation Of the two races. The
impracticable idea has been harped upon
generations aud why continue the
discussion longer. A. a practical thing.
il would be Just az wise to discuss the feas-
ibi.ty Of q railroad to the moon, or wheth-
er il We're possible for man TO live seventy
years without food
You have gone forth, Is events have
shown, and served with patience and endu-
rance in the cause OF your country. This Is
your country as well IS anybody else's cOun-
try. [Cheers. This IS the country in
which YOU expect 20 live, and in which you
should expect 10 DO something by your ex-
ample in civil life. as YOU have done in the
field.
This country is founded upon the princ.-
pies OF equality. and Al the same time the
standard hy which persons are 10 be estima-
ted is according ID their merit and their
worth. and yOu have observed, no doubt.
that for him who does his duty faithfully
and honestly there IL always a just public
judgment that viii appreciate and meas
ure out 70 him his proper reward. know
!. al. 81.
eminent and since the late rebellion COM
menced, TO excite the white against the
black. and black against the white man,
these are things you should all understand.
and at the same time prepare yourself for
what is before you, upon the return OF peace
and the surrender OF the enemies OF the
country. Il should be the duty OF every
patriot and every one who calls himself q
Christian, 10 remember that with the ter
minatiOn Of the war MS 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 ls 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 10 You
than the period in which YOU have Just been
engaged. One great question has been
settled in this government, and that is the
question Of slavery. The institution OF
slavery made war against the United states
and the United States has lifted its strong
arm in yndicatiOn of the government and
Of free Government. and in lifting that arm
and appealing 10 the God OF battles it has
been decided that the Institution Of slavery
must 90 down. lCheers. This has been
done and the Goddess Of Liberty, in bear
ing witness over many OF our battle fields
since the struggle commenced, has made
her iOitiest flight and proclaimed that true
liberty has beeen established upon q more
permanent and enduring basis than hereto
fore. [Applause.l
When the sword is returned 10 its scab-
bard. when your arms are reversed and the
olive branch OF peace Is extended resent
ment and revenge should subside. Then.
what Is 10 follow YOU understand, no doubt,
and II you do not You cannot understand
too soon. that simple liberty does not mean
the privilege OF going into the battle field
or into the service Of the country as a sol
der. Il means other things Is well. and
now when YOU have laid down YOUR arms.
there are no other objects OF equal lmpOr-
lance before You. Now that the Govern
m has passed through this mighty rebel
~
world ever saw, the problem Is before You
and il Is best that You should understand it;
and therefore | speak simply and plainly.
viii You now, when YOU have returned from
the army OF the Uni-ed States and taken, /
the position OF citizens. when you have re-
turned ID the avOcatiOns Of peace. will you
give evidence 10 the world that You are ca
paOle and competent 10 govern yourselves /
That Is what You will have TO DO. Liberty 4
IS not mere Idea. a mere vagary. II is 4
an Idea or II Is a reality, and when you 4
come 10 examine this question Ofliberty you 4
VIII not be mistaken IN a mere Idea Tor the .
reality. II does not consist in ideuess.
Liberty does not consist IN being worthless. /
Liberty does not consist in doing all things
as we please, and there can be no liberty
without law. In a Government of freedom
and OF liberty, there must be law, and there
must De obedience and submission 10 the
law without regard 10 color. Cheers
You must give evidence that you are
competent for the rights that the Govern
ment has granted 10 YOU; hencef0rth each
and all OF you must be measured according
10 Your merit. Ifone man Il more meritO-
-i0us than the other. they cannot be equals.
and be IS the most exalted that Is the most
neritorous without regard 70 color and
ne idea OF having a law passed in the NOR
llng that VIII make a white man a black
nan before night and black man white
nan before day, IS absurd. That IS not the
standard. Il Is YOUR own conduct: il Is
'our own merit: it Is the development OF
'Our Own talents, and Of your Intellectual
y and moral qualities. Let this be your
.ourse. Adopt 4 system OF morality, al
tain from all licenuOusnes. I have lived
n q Southern State all nv life, and know
What has too often been the case. There
one thing You should esteem higher and
more supreme than al others, and that Is
ne solemn contract. with all the penalties
the association Unmarried life. Men and
women should abstain from these qualities
nj habits that too frequently 20 low q war.
nculcaie among your children and among
our associates that virtue. that merit, that
Intelligence. are the standards 20 be Observ-
Z, an1those which you are determined 20
maintain through your future lives. This
the way 20 make black men white
Cheersl He that i most meritOriOus, and
lrtuous. intel ectual, and well-informed,
lust stand nigh, without regard 10 color.
s the very BASIS upon which heaven
aSts Itself Each individual takes bis de-
zee IN he sub.imer and more exalted re
ions. IN proportion TO his merit and his
lrtue.
l shall say 20 YOU, on this occasion. il 4
sturning 10 your homes and fresi6es. after
.ehng conscious and proud Of having faith
lily discharged your duty-returning with .
le determination that you viii perform
0uF duty il the future as you have in The 2
from a. those chickering's and
al0usies and reFengeful feelings which TOO
fen spring up between different races. Q
here Is q great problem before rs: and y
ay a vel ailude 10 i here II this eonnsc- Z
that Is where the race can be il a
AMI mixed with the people OF e
e United States 20 be made Harmonious
Cd permanent Ingredient in the pouula-
o. This IS problem not yet settled. L
II We are in the right Line 70 DO 20. s!a- .