Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1865-03-24
Speech of President Lincoln.
His Pieces on the -frmine Of Shares By the
Rs6sis.

WASHINGTON, March ls.-A rebel flag, cap
tured by the l4th Indiana at Fort Anderson,
Was presented 10 Governor Morton, to-day.
During the ceremony President Lincoln, who
was present, spoke as follows:
Fellow Cit zens Il will be but q very few
words that | shall undertake TO say. was
born in Kentucky. raised in Indians. and Ivod N
III in0is, (laughter,) and DOW ! am here, vher
il is my business TO care equally for the good
people Of all the States ! am glad TO see an
Indians regiment this day able 10 present the
captured flag 70 the Governor Of Indiana. Zap
plause) | am not disposed in saying this TO
make n distinction between the States, for all
have done equally well.
There are but few views or aspects Of this
great war upon which have not said or written
some HOG, whereby ny own opinions might he
known. But there is one the recent attempt
of cur erring brethren, as they are sometimes
called, (aughter,) to employ the negro TO fight
for them ! have neither written nor made
speech on that subject, because that was their
business not mine, and if had wish upon
the subject, l had not the power TO introduce II
or make il effective. The great question with
them was whether the negro being put into the
army will fight for them. | do not know and
therefore cannot decide. (Laughter.)
They ought TO know better than we. hav
in my lifetime heard many arguments why the
negroes ought 10 be slaves; but if they hight for
those who would keep them in slavery, twill be
a better argument than any have yet neard.-
daughter aud applause.) Tie who will fight for
that, ought TO be a slave. tApplsuse.)
They have concluded al last 20 take one out 9f
four of the slaves and put them tn the army,
and that one out Of the f ur. who viii fight to
Keep the others in slavery, ought to be slave
IL L., l. q 81. Z -
plause)
" While have often said that all men ought
to be free, vet would ! allow those colorei per
SOUS to be slaves vino want to be, and next to them
those white people. who argue in 'avOr Of max
ing other people slaves. (AppaHse)- am IN
favor a. giving an opportunity 10 such white
men TO try il on for themselves. (Applause.)
will suggest one thing m regard 10 these negroes
being employed 10 fight for them. DO know
they cannot fight and stay al home and make
bread TOO, laughter aud applause and As one Is
about as important as the other to them, don {
care Nh Oh they do. (ReneWed applause an
rather in favor OF having them try the slaves As
soldiers (Applause.)
They lack one vote Of doing that, aud wish
could send my vote over the river. so that
might cast it in favor Of allowing the negro TO
fight (Applause.) But they cannot work and
fight both. We must soon see the bottom Of the
enemy's resources. They will stand out a long
as they can, and if the negro viii fight for them
they must allow him to fight. They have drawn
upon their last branch Of resources, (applause, J
and we can see 5he bottom (ApPlause.) / am
glad 10 see the end so near az hand. (Ap-
plsu>e.)
have said now more than / intended. and
viii, therefore. bid you good bye. tAppause)