The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-05-18
THE CONDITION OF THE NEGF

bfVWluk oAy GUM ASosASSs
THE CONDITION OF THE NEGRO.
On Thursday, the 1lth inst, a deputation
of colorsd olsrgymen called upon President
johnson, and addressing him, expressed a
hope that they might have his aid in the
amelioration and elevation of their race. He
responded as follows:
In responding to what you have said on this oe-
easion, as the representative and organ of those
colored men who stand about you, presume 1t 10
hardly necessary for me t. inform them as TO
what my course has been in reference to their
condition. imagine there 10 not colored man
within reach of information but has to some sx-
tent been informed upon, and been placed IN
possession of, 4 knowledge OF the course have
pursued in the past in reference to their present
condition.
Now shall talk to them plainly. They know
have been born and raised a slave state that
1 have owned slaves, raised slaves, but never
sold one.
They know, presume, that my slaves have
been made free, and that there Is difference IN
the responsibility that persons have taken In re-
ference to emancipation when living IN or out OF
slave states. II 10 very easy for a man who lives
beyond the borders to talk about the condition OF
eolorcd men, when in fact they know little about
it. They know they have some friends who feel
a. cordially towards them, and who live beyond
the southern lines. They know, too, there are
men there who, though they have been masters,
yet feel as deep an interest and regard for them,
and do much for their elevation and ameliora
ton, as those who live anywhere else.
feel it would be unnecessary for me to state
what have done in this great cause OF emancl-
patton. 1 have stood in their midst, met their
taunts and jeers, and risked all in the shape OF
property, life, and hmb-not that 1 would clam
ANYTHING to mrself in establishing sustaining, and
carrying out the great principle that man could
not own property in man. l was the first that
stood in a slave community and announced the
great fact that the slaves of Tennessee were tree
unop the same principle those were who as
sumed TO own them.
know it il easy to talk and proclaim sentl-
ments upon paper but ii 10 one thing to have the
cries and another to reduce them to practice
and must say here, what l have no doubt is
permanently fixed in your minds, and the impress
sion is deep, that there is one thing you ought to
teach, and they should understand, that IN
transition state, passing from bond to free, when
the tyrant's rod has been bent and the yoke brok-
en-, we find too many-it is best to talk plain
there are say, too many In this transition state,
passing from bondage to freedom, who feel as II
they should have nothing to do, and fall back up
ON the government for support; too many IN.
cIined to become leafers and depend upon the
government to take care of them They seem to
think that with freedom everything they need ID to
come like mama from heaven.
Now, want to impress this upon your minds,
that freedom simply means liberty to work and
enjoy the product of your own hands This Is the
ct definition OF freedom, In the most extens-
There is another thing; and have been sur
prised that people beyond the lines have not
pressed upon you this important idea. 1t il easy
in congress and from the pulpit north and south
to talk about polygamy, and Brigham Young, and
debauchery of various kinds, but there is also one
great fact, that four millions of people lived In
open and notorious concubinage. The time has
come when you must correct this thing. You
know what say is true, arc you must do some
thing to correct it by example az well az by words
and professions.
1t il not necessary for me to give yeu any as
surance of what my future course will be in refer
past, there can be reason to think that / shall
turn back in the great cause in which have sacri-
feed much and perled all.
l can give you no assurance worth more than
my course heretofore, and shall continue to do
all that can for the elevation and amsioration
of your condition; and trust in God the time
may soon come when you shall be gathered 10
gether, in a cline and country suited to you,
should il be found that the two races cannot get
along together.
trust God will continue to conduct us till the
great end shall be accomplished, aud the work
reach It's great contamination.
Accept my thanks for this manifestation of your
respect and regard
This response of the president covers the
whole question. The rebellion, as one of it's
consequences, has given freedom to q portion
of the slaves. The balance viii soon be freed
by the constitutional. amendment. That
freedom 10 nothing moro nor less than that
enjoyed by the white race, and is most aptly
expressed by the president to mean elderly
to work and enjoy the products of their own
hands, .s~s "a
The emanoipated people, says the Chicago
Post, have freedom, and the right to enjoy
the po1ucka of THAR own lahoy. Int tha
owners Ae released from the obligation and
0na.se Oh in.aing, clothing and taking care
VI 'neM' Inc spancipated people have now
o' new. and it is to be hoped
men. that they will sro,s son., - IN .sa
duties of their new rehtion;T. '.'
The moral evils to which the o a1'
ludes and which were incidental to Ss1' Ill
will follow them into their new condition
buA a Mr. johnson SAYS, that ell must b.