The Richmond palladium., 1865-03-23
FLAG PRESENTATION.
Washington


liorh Indiana Volunteers. was presented to-
day, to Governor Morton, in front of the Ma
tional Hotel. A large crowd was in attendance.
Governor Morton made briefspeech, in which
he congratulated his auditors on the speedy end
Of the rebellion, and concluded by introducing
President Lincoln whose purity and patriotism
were confessed he said, by all. even among the
most agtators. [Applsuse.l
His administration would be recognized as
the most important epoch Of history. 1t had
struck the blow to slavery [appausel and
built up the Republic with power it never be-
fore possessed. If he had done nothing more
than put his name to the Emancipation Proc
Iamation. that alone would have made his name
immortal. lApplause.I
The Presidents Speech.
The President addressed the assembly sub
stantially as follows:
ow-Ciiizens: 1t will be but q very few
words that shall undertake to say. l was
born in Kentucky, raised in Indiana, and lived
in Illinois. Laughter. And | am here,
where it is my business to care equally for the
good people Of all the States. ] am glad to
see an Indiana regiment on this day able to
present the captured Gag to the Governor Of
Indiana. [Applause.] am not disposed in
saving this to make . distinction between the
States. for all haze done equally Is WELL Ap-
plause.
There are but few views Of the aspects Of this
great war upon which have not said or writ
ten SO nething whereby nay own opinion might
be known. But there is one-the recent at
tempt Of our errins breathren. as they arc some
times called [laushterl to employ the negro to
fight for them I have neither written nor
made a speech on that subject, because that
was their business not mine. and if l had a
wish upon the subject. had not the power to
introduce it or make it effective. The great
question with them was whether the negro be-
ing put into the army will 6ght for them. do
not know, and therefore cannot decide. laugh
teri They ought to know better than We.
have in my lifetime heard many arguments why
the negroes ought to be slaves; but if they fight
for those who would keep them in slavery
it will be a better argument than any have
yet heard. Laughter and Applause He
who will fight for that ought to be . slave.
[Applause.l
They have concluded at last TO take one out
of four Of the slaves, and put them in the army;
and that one out Of the four who will fight to
keep the Others in slavery ought to be slave him
SELF unless he is killed in fight. Applause ]
While have often said that all man ought to
be free, yet would allow those coiored per
sons to be slaves who want to be; and next to
them those white persons who argue in favor
of making other people slaves. lApplausel
am in favor of giving an opportunity to
such white men to try is on for themselves.
rApplause. Twill say one thing in regard TO
the negro being employed to fight for them. l
do know he cannot fight and stay At home and
make bread too. Laughter and applause.
Lam rather in favor Of allowing them to try
them as soldiers. IApplause. They lack one
vote of doing that and wish l could send
nv vote over the river so that might cast it
plausel But they cannot fight and work both
We must now see the bottom Of the ene.ny's
resources They will stand out as long as they
can; aud If the negro will sht for them they
must allow him to fight.
| They have drawn upon their last branch Q
resources [applausel and We can now zee ia
bottom. [Applausc-l lam glad to see ths
end SO near a, hand. lApplause.l Ihaye ssi'
| now more than intended, and will, therefore
bid you good BY.
| The President then retired. while the crow
below saluted him with loud and hearty cheers
and the band played lively tune.
Gov. Morton then STEPPED forward and RI
marked that they had now seen the rebel ras
and he proposed that each one in favor of ii
perpetuity Of this great Union take of his h
and give three cheers for the Union Gag. TT
request was responded to with hearty goc
will. Three hearty cheers were given q
President Lincoln, with three more for Go'
srnor Morton, sAeG which the band struck I
Yankee Doodle.
Owr New EupIand editor afaly asks