The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1865-05-09
Speech of Andrew johnson at Nash
vile.

sometime last winter Andrew John.
son addressed the colored people Of
Nashville. His speech on that occa-
sion was one Of his best efforts. From
il we take he following;
"Tharepresentutives of this corrupt
and if you will permit me to swear u
little this damnable arisiocarcy, taunt
US with our desire to see justice done,
and charge US with favoring negro
equality. Ofall living men they should
be the last TO mouth that phrase; and
evtn when uttered in their hearing, il
should cause their cheeks TO tinge and
burn with shame. Negro equality. in
deed Whys pass, any day, along the
sidewalks of High street, where these
aristocrats more particularly dwell
these arlstocrats, whose sons are now
in the bands of guerrillas and cut
throats who prowl and rob, and murder
around our city--pass by their dwell
ings, ! say, and you will see as many
muatto as negro children. the former
bearing unmi>akable resemblance to
their arlslocratic owners
"Colored men OF Tennessee This,
too, sha cease Your wives and
daughters shall no longer be dragged
Into concubinage. compared TO which
polygamy is virtue, TO satisfy the
brutal lusts Of shareholders and over
seers Hencetorth The sancity of
Gods holy law of marriage shall Le
respected in your persons, and the
Great State of Tennessee shall no more
give her sanction 10 your degradation
and your shame
"Thank God Thank God r. came
from the lips of a thousand women,
who in their own per.on had expert
enced the helish iniqnity Of the man
sellers code "Thank God !" fervent.
ly echoed the fathers, husbands and
brothers OF these women.
"And if the law protects you in the
possession OF your wives and children
if the law shields those women you
hold dear from the unlawful grasp oil
lust, will you endeavor 10 be true TO
yourselves and shun, as if it were
death itself, the path Of lewdness, crime
and vice r
"We will we will r cried the as.
sembled thousands and. joining in .
sublime aud fearful enthusiasm. anoth
er mighty shout vent up to bea' en-.
Looking at this vast crowd of col
ored people" continued the Go ernor
land rehrcting through what a storm
OF persecution and obloquey they ar,
compelled TO pass. | am almost com
pelIrd to wish that, as in the days o
old, Moses might arise, who SHOULD
lead them safely TO their promised lanc
Of freedom and happiness"
You are a Mnse !" shouted sever
al voices, aud the exclamation wa,
raugh up aud ch erred untll III Cap
raj ruug a.aIE.
tod. continued he speaker, IN,
,loubi hss prepared somewhere an in.
srrument or the great work be de
signs TO perform 10 bebaI Of this ont
rag d eoplr and il due time youI
leader will come forth your Moses
will be revealed to you."
I'VE want 10 Moses but you !
again shouted tho crowd.
"Well lhen,' replied Tue speaker
humble and unworthy as / am. if nc
other better shall be found, | will in
deed be your Moses, and lead yor
through the Red Sea Of war and bond
age to a fairer future Of liberty anc
peace. ! speak, too, as eitizen-oi
Tennessee. ! am here on my owr
soil and here mean 10 stay and
dght the great tat'le Of truth and jus,
tice to a triumphant end. Rebellion
and slavery .liaii by Gods good hell
40 longer poiluie our State. Loya
men, whether white or black, shal
alone control her destnies and wher
this strife in which we are all engage
is past, trust, know, We shall have
a better state ot things. and shall al
rejoice that honest labor reaps ih,
fruit Of is own industry, and that ey
cry man las fair chance 10 The rac'
Of hie."
II is impossible TO describe the en-
thu.iasm which toll wed bese words
JOY beamed in every eountenanee -
Tears AID laughter followed each 9th
er in quick succession. The grea
throng mpyed and swayed bank anC
firth IL the intensity Of emotion. ans
shout alter shout reut the air.