Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-04-20
BY~TELEGRAPH
yERYLATEST FROM ALL POINTS
NOON DIsPAToHEs.
Reported for the Public Ledger.

of colored troops, various association
I? and citizens Of color, numbering severa
( thousand, yesterday celebrated the eman
Q cipation Of slaves in the District of Co
! lumbia, and proceeded to the Executive
mansion, when President johnson ad
dressed them as follows.
MY CoLoRED FRIENDS; Il have moth
ing more to say TO you on this occasion
, than to thank you for this compliment
/ you have paid me, in presenting your
', selves before me, on this your day of eel
ebration. | came forward for the pur
pose of indicating my appreciation, and
manifesting my appreciation of the re
spect thus offered or conferred. THANK
you for the compliment, and mean what
l say, and will remark, in this connec-
ton, that the time win come, and that
before great while, when the colored
population of the United States will find
out who has selected them as hobby,
and pretense, by which they can be
|
successful in obtaining or maintaining
power, and who have been their truest
| friends, and wanted them to enjoy the
blessings of freedom The time will
come when it will be made known who
contributed as much as any other man,
and who, without being egotistical,
III may say, contributed more in
procuring the great national guar
antee Of the abolition of slavery
in all the States by the ratification of the
amendment to the Constitution Of the
United States, and give national guar
antee that slavery shall no longer be per-
mitted to exist or be re-established in any
State in the jurisdiction Of the United
States. know how easy it is to cater to
The prejudices, and how easy it is to ex-
cite the feelings of prejudice and unkind-
ness. / care not for that / have been
engaged in this work in which my all has
been staked / was not engaged in it as
hobby, nor did ride the colored man
for the sake Of giving power to what |
did for the purpose of establishing the
great principle of freedom, and ! thank
God feel and know it to be so that my
efforts have contributed as much if not
more in accomplishing this great nation
al guarantee than any man in the United
States Enthusiastic applause.
1t is very easy for colored men to
have pretended friends, ensconced in
high places and far removed from danger
whose eyes have only abstractedly gazed
on freedom, who have never exposed
their limbs or property, and who never
contributed sixpence in the further
ance of the great cause; while another
periled his all, everything sacred and dear
to man, and those he had raised and who |
live with him now enjoy his property |
with his consent and receive his aid and |
assistance. Yet some Others who have
done nothing, are considered the great |
defenders and protectors of the colored |
man. / repeat, my colored friends, here
to-day, that the time will come, and it is
not far distant, when it will be proved |
who are your hest friends. My friend
ship, as far as it has gone, is not for
place or power, for | had these already
1t has been principle with me, and
i thank God that the great principle has
been established, that whenever being,
in the language of distinguished orator,
treads American soil, his soul swells
within him in appreciation of the great
truth that he stands forth redeemed and
regenerated by the genius of universal
emancipation" [Applause
Then let me mingle with you in the
celebration of the day which commenced
your freedom. ! do it in all sincerity and
truth, and trust in God that the blessings
which have been confsred may be en-
joyed and appreciated by you, and that
You may give them a proper direction.
There is something for all to do You
have solemn duties to perform, and you
ought TO remember that freedom is not
an idea it must be reduced to practical
reality. Men in freedom deny themselves
things which seem to be embraced in the
idea of universal freedom. Its with you
to give evidence to the world and the
people of the United States whether you
are going to appreciate this great boon
as 1t should be, and that you are freed
men Let me thank you for the compli-
ment you have paid me by passing
through here to-day and paying your re-
spects to me. | repeat again, the time
will come when you will know who have
been your best friends, and whether
have not been your friend. Accept my
thanks
SANDY Hook, April l9-The steamer
Prussia has arrived. 1t is reported that
Prussia continues in an uncompromising
attitude. 1t is also reported that the
Emperor Of Russia has sent two notes to
the sovereigns, rendering mediation.
Rumors Of ministerial changes are cur
rent in Paris.
The reform agitation continues in
England. There was demonstration at
Liverpool in honor Of Gladstone one
day, and a reform mass meeting the next.
The enthusiasm is high both for the Min