The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-10-11
President JOhnson's Address tt
the Black Warriors.
Action or the President i'm Regard
to the Imbr0gliO.

WASHINGTON. Oct. TO- 1895.
ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT JOHNSON TO THE FIRsr
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA coLORED REGIMENT.
This hssbcen holiday with many Of the colored peo-
pie Of Washington, Who in large crowds have followed
tie First District of Columbia regiment they marched
through the Streets having recently returned from the
South yhe regiment proceeded TO the Executive Man
sion, and there addressed by the President who
spoke as foilows:--
NY FmsSDs-My object in presenting myself before
you this is simply thank you members Of
OF the colored regiments VIII oh has been in the
vice Of the country TO sustain and carry It's banner and
its laws trumphanty in part of this broad land
repeat that appear before you the present occasion
merely to tender you my thanks for the compliment you
have paid me your return home to again be
ated with friends and relations and those
hold sacred and dear repeat have but little TO
say. II being unusual in this government and in
most of the other governments to have coiored
troops engaged in their service, you have gone
forth as events have shown and served with patience
and endurance in the Of your country This is
your country well anybody elses country
tIheers.) This is the country in which You expect to
live and in which should expect to do something by
your examplen civil life, you have done in the field
This country is founded upon the principles Of equality
and the time the standard by which persons
20 be estimated Is according TO their merit and their
worth; and you have observed doubt that for him
who does his duty faithfully and honestly there Is al
ways just public Judgment that will appreciate and
measure QUITO him his proper reward. / know that
SINCE the late rebellion commenced to excite the white
against the black aud the black against the white
There things you should all understand and al the
time prepare yourself for what is before YOU
sjp0n the return Of peace and the surrender OF the
enemies OF Abe country it should be the duty
or every patriot and every one who calls himself
sChristian remember that with the termination of
che his resentments should cease that angry feel
iDgs should subside every should become
calm and tranquil and be prepared for what is before
atm. This sanohcr part OF your mission. You have
been engaged in the effort To sustain your country in the
lint fha tnfu inn IN han tba
period in which have just been engaged One great
question has been settled In this government and that
In the question OF slavery The Institution Of slavery
made against the United States, and the United
s,stes has lifted its strong in vndcaon of the
and appealing to the God OF Battles II has been de-
cided that The institution OF slavery GO down.
tChsers) Thshas been done; and the Goddess OF Lib
orty, in bearing witness over many OF our
battle fields the struggle commenced, has
made her loftiest fight, and proclaimed that
permanent and enduring basis than heretofore
(Applause) But this il not all and you have paid me
the compliment 10 call upon me, ! shall take the privi
Iege OF saying two words as am before you.
rOpeat that u Is not all Now when the sword is
Earned us scabbard when your and
the olive branch Of peace is extended remarked be.
FORE resentment and revenge should subsde Then what
do not you cannot und rs,and too soon that simple
liberty does not the privilege OF going into the bat
tie neIA into the service OF the country soldier IL
other things we'll And when you have LAID
down your there other objects OF equal import
ance before you. Now that the government has tri-
khe most gigantic battles the world saw the pro.
bem is befereyop and IL best that yon should under
stand h and therefore speak simply and plainly. Will
you now when you have from the army OF the
United States aud taken the position OF the citizen when
you have relirned TO the svocasions Of peace, win
eapabe and competent 10 govern y0nrsrlvesf
That is what you viii have 10 do. Liberty ia
MOI mere sdea mere vagary is an Idea or Is
reality and when you examine this question OF
Nberty you will not be mistaken In idea for the
reality Il does cons in dleness Liberty does
- doing all things AZ please; and there be
Iabcrty withoot law In government of freedom and
a. liberty them lust be law and there must be- obsd
and submission to the law without regard color
tCbeers Liberty land may not call you my country
" liberty oonssts In the glorious privilege Of work
- pursuing the ordinary avocaiions or peace with in
dusry and with economy: and that being done all those
uho have been Industrious ana economical permitted
90 appropriate enjoy the produc Of their labor
fCheers This Is OF the great blessings OF freedom
stating that liberty freedom TO work and enjoy
the products Of year own labor. You will soon be
tered out OF the ranks IL j. for yon 10 establish the
great fact that NJ and qualified TO be
free. Hence freedom is not a mere idea, but
is something thai exists in fact Freedom IL
mot simply the privilege TO live in dleness liberty does
not simply resort Ia the low saloons and other
gjnccs Of dsreputabe- character Freedom and liberty
10 that s1ope ought 10 live in Icentious
nsss; but liberty simply 10 be Industrious be
viruous, 10 be uprgh IN all oar dealings and relations
with men, cad 20 thosenow before members Of the
First regiment of coorad volunteers from the District Of
Columbia and che rapitsci the United states have
ssydhat a great deal depends upon yourselves. You
that toe gu, ~rrfrnt has g-raneed tn He~ceforh
each and all ~ you bs measured according your
merit II = more IaererioGs than the other
they csnno equals: ana be ia the moot exalted that
~ the Bost mersaious. without regard to color And
the idea OF having law passed N the morning that
will make white black iuaD before night AID
black man white sian heforc day y sIsurd That s
the standard 81 T. You conduct; 10 10 your
merit; u = ts Development Of Your own tsleats
and your intellectually and moral qualities Let
Ahs, then hn your course. Mnpts system ~ morality,
shsispn g.e.s al ees,tionsnes4 And let me say o.e
l Il !
= Southern state al say iiie aud know what has
pfta1 ieeu tte There u thing yDn should
ss,sem high,s aud supreme than almost ~ others
and thai Is tn solemn contract wish ai the pcnIltics
fbs a~sociatr 81 married life. Nsn avn WOMB should
abstain from dose qaattes aud liabbs that too ire
quently follow war. lnenrats AMONG your children
and ansna your sssp atps. notwithstanding yaa ere
inst back from army ~ c United sat~ that virtue
that merit that diligence the standards To b. Oh
served, anj those wnch You are neernlheu 70 nsinsan
during your luturs, JteS This T. the way 10 make white
men black and black men White. theersl Ne that te
most morio,sous aud viriuous and intellectual and woJ
informed mst stand h9hes' without regard To- color
IA l. ,he yey ba is rton which Heaven rcfts tses
Each indivdnss takes his degree ~ tm sphimer and
more exalted regions Ia proportion ~ his merits aud bis
virtue Then shall sv ~ Won 81 tins OecaHtOn IN re-
suynjuR 10 vour hogies and resdes, alter Keeling con
scous and proud of having iNhfnlly discharged your
dnty-roiurpng viii the denomination thai you WI
perform your dity IL Che fyse ~ YOU have 10 Ire pat
ab~ ain from al those chickering's aud eaousics ana re
vepgofn feelings which too often spring up butwscn an
fsrent There IL great problem before ~ ana
may az we'll sude IN Il ilcre ~ this connection, aud
thai III whether this b. Incorporated and mixed
with the people OF The United states, 70 be made har
monious aud permanent inNN1nt ~ we popu
jation. This = problem not YET settled; hui
we are 10 the right line 10 DO so Slavery raised
is head against The government, and ihe government
ysiaed its strong arm and struck il fbe ground 40
that part Of the problem settled; the Institution OF
slavery 10 overthrow. But another part remains 70 be
solved and That VI can four millions OF people, raised
ran they take their places In the community and be
|Un6a u -xeah kAlDnsAsaa's &c cQnalpQpns " RN !