The New York herald., 1866-04-20
He Claims to Be the Negroes
Best Friend.
His Whole Life a Labor for Emancipa-
tion and Universal Liberty.
Senator McDougall Apologies for Vio-
lating tho Decorum Of the Senate.

.>~~>>~>>>->>~>-~
Debate in the House on the Niagara Ship
Canal and Army Bills.
&c. DC. DC.
WASHINGTON, April 10, 1865
CoLoRED CELEBRATION OF THE ANNIVERSARY OF
THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY IN THE DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA.
The coored people Of Washington city and vicinity
had been preparing for several weeks past celebrate
the anniversary OF the abolition OF slavery the District
of Columbia, which occurred Monday last but
a that time by the nclemency OF the weather
from making the popular demonstration Of meet
ing and mammoth procession. The affair postponed
until to-day Yesterday and last night gave little pro-
mise OF fair morrow but the clouds cleared away early
this morning, and the shone out with unusual bril-
ancy The sable and daughters OF the capital
early ast and Franklin square the centre OF sttac
tion. Three oommodious stands erected TO
modate the expected crowd with public speakers The
principal one on the south side Of the square,
calculated to seat about hundred persons and
covered and tastefuy draped and decorated nation
al flags and bannen The different delegations and or.
ganzaons commenced arriving after ninc O'clock
under their respective marshals and took up the posi-
tions assigned them the intersections Of
line Of march Soon after eleven O'Clock tho whole
fairly in motion. The and the pleasant day
conspred to draw out the entire colorcd population Of
the city. The streets crowded with eager, hurry
Ing happy faces Of every conceivable shade between
delicate saddle color and jetty black dressed in
all the various and fantastic garbs that the
the inclinations Of the permitted few were
quietly and elegantly dressed showily and tawdry,
Q majority in manner TO betray themselves unaccus-
toned 10 good clothes and few In the rags indgence
and unmistakabe aspect OF recent bondage But free
dom for evclled all social distinctions among the
colored gentry and the plantation darkey the city
brcd shade jostled each other good -naurcdy
versed amicaby. The military represented in pro-
cession by two thce regiments the Odd Fellows and
FREQ Masons by several lodges each, and the Knights
Templars by commandery. The good Samaritans,
Galilcans Union Aid Societies, Union Leagues aud the
different wards Of the city represented by organi
cations and delegations, many of them with bands OF
music The procession halted In front OF the Executive
mansion making dense OF colored faces relieved
here and there by few white onos
After the firing OF and the playing OF several
martial airs three cheers given for tho President
OF the United States, who, having been escorted TO
prominent position by United States Marshal Goodng and
his private secretary, Colonel VIM @. More. addressed
the asscmbIage Us foilows:-
THE PRESIDENTS srErcn
MY CoLoRED FRIESDs-I have nothing more TO say TO
you this occasion than thank you this comp-
mont you have pad In presenting yourselves before me
this, your day OF celebration como forward for the
purpose Of indicating appreciation, and manfcsng
my appreciation OF respect thus offered conferred
thank you for tho compliment and mean what say,
and will remark In this connection that tho tmo will
come, and that too, before great whc when the
colored population Of the United will nd who
have selected them hobby and pretence by which
fbevca hee l,ro
and who have been their trues friends and wanted them
70 participate and enjoy the blessings OF freedom The
time will come when It will be made known who
tribsted much any other man, and who, without
being considered egotstca may say contributed more
in procuring tho great national guarantee of the abolition
OF slavery In all the States, by the ratification OF the
amendment the constitution OF the United states CIV
ing national guarantee thai slavery shall longer be
permitted TO exist be re-cstablshed any State u-
risdicon Of the United States know how easy 1t to
prejudice and how easy excite feelings of
prejudice and unkindness care not for that have
been engaged in this work, in which my all has been
penled. was not engaged in It a hobby, nor did
ride the colored men for the sake OF gaining power
What did for the purpose Of establishing the great
principle OF freedom; and thank God, feel and know
IL 10 be tina, my efforts have contributed much n
not more, In accomplishing this great national guarantee
than those Of any other living IN the United States
Enthusiastic applausel IL Is very easy for
colored to have pretended friends cnscorced
in high places, and far removed from danger,
whose eyes have only abstraciedy gazed on free
DOM who have exposed their limbs or
property, and who contributed a sixpence in fur
thcranco Of the great cause while another perled his
all and everything sacred and dear 10 man; and
those whom he raised and who lived with him enjoy
his property with his consent and receive his aid and
assistance Yet be- and others who have
done nothing considered the great defenders pro-
tccton Of the colored repeat my coored friends
here today, the time will come and that far
tant when win be proved who practically your best
friend NY friendship, far IL has gone, has not
been for place power for had these already It has
been principle with me- and I thank God the great
principle has been established that whenever any indi-
viduaI the language Of distinguished orator trcads
American SOIL chs soul swells within him In appreca-
ton Of the great truth that he stands forth redeemed
generated and discnthraed by the genius Of universal
emancipation" tAppiause) Thsn let me mingle with
you In celebration Of the day which commenced your
Freedom. do II In sincerity and truth, and trust God
tho blessings which have becn conferred may be enjoyed
and appreciated BY you and that you may give them
proper direction There Is something for all 70 do You
have high and solemn duties 70 perform and you ought
70 remember that freedom 10 not idea II must
be reduced practical reality Mem In being ought
TO deny themselves many things which be en-
braced In the idea Of universal freedom II with you
TO give evidence 70 the world and 10 the people Of
United States whether going 70 appreciate this
great bosn 10 should be, and that you worthy Of
being fresmen. Then let thank you with sincerity
for the compliment you have paid me by passing through
hers to-day and paying your respects 70 I repeat
again, the time viii when you will know who have
been your best fricnds and who have been your |
friends from mercsnav considerations Accept my
thanka
The band then struck up . lively tune Meanwhile |
the President remained very many Of the colorcd per-
sons approaching and shaking hands with him.
The procession then reformed and took up the line Of