Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1866-04-27
er man, and who, without being considered

er man, and who, without being considered
egotistic, l may gay contributed more, in
procuring the great national guarantee Of the
Eabolition Of slavery in all the States, by the
ratification of the amendment to the Consti-
tuition Of the United States-giving a nation
al guarantee that slavery shall no longer be
permitted to exist or be re-established in any
State or jurisdiction of the United States.
z know how easy it is to cater to preju-
dice, and how easy it is to excite feelings Of
prejudicel and unkindness I care not for
that. have been engaged in this work in
which my all has been periled. I was not
engaged in it as a hobby, nor did I ride the
1colored man for the sake of gaining power.
What I did was for the purpose Of establish
ing the great principles 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 national
guarantee, than those of any other living
man in the United States. applause
|. 1t is very easy for colorcd men to have
pretended friends, esconsed in high places,
and far removed from danger-whose eyes
have only abstractly gazed on freedom who
have never exposed their limbs or property,
and who never contributed sixpence in
furtherance Of the great cause; while another
periled his all, and put up everything sacred
and dear to man, and those whom he raised
and who lived with him now enjoy his prop
erty with his consent, and receive his aid and
assistance; yet some who assume, and 9TH
ers who have done nothing are considered,
the great defenders and protectors of the col
ored man.
/ repeat, my colored friends, here to-day,
the time will come, and that not far distant,
when it will prove who is practically your
best friend.
: My friendship, as far as has gone, has not
been for place or power, for I had these al
ready. It has been principle with me and
I thank God the great principle has been es-
tablished that wherever any individual, in
the language Of a distinguished orator and
statesman, treads American soil, his soul
swells within him beyond the power of chains
to bind himiin appreciation of the great truth
that he stands fourth redeemed, regencrated
and disenthralled by the genius of universal
emancipation! Applause.
AASA Nv AiS AnihSA ~ WIZ you III CcltUld-
ton Of the day which commenced your free
dom, l do it in sincerity and truth, and
trust in God the blessing which have been
conferred may be enjoyed and appreciated
by you, and that you may give them a prop
er direction
There is something for all to do. You
have high and solemn duties to perform, and
you ought to remember that freedom is not a
mere idea. It must be reduced to practical
reality. Men in being free have to deny them
selves many things which seem to be en-
braced in the idea Of universal freedom.
It is 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 it should be, and that you are worthy Of
being freemen. Then let me thank you with
sincerity for the compliment you have paid
me by passing through here to-day and pay
ing your respects to me. [ repeat again, the
time will come when you will know who has
been your best friend, and who has not been
yonr friend from mercenary considerations.
Accept my thanks.
The President, after concluding his re-
marks, waited sometime outside while the
procession passed, and during this time large
numbers Of the colorsd people advanced to
pay their respects to him and take him by
the hand