The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1866-02-21
Interview Between the Presi-
dent and 4 NeorO Dclnrot;,r

$1,000 NV Nv wv CCI lIC IISSl-
dent and a Negro Delegation.
a body of negroes, headed by Fred.
Douglass, on Wednesday visited the
White House and were ushered into n
reception.
Fred. Douglass advanced and address.
ed the President, saying:
"MR. IREsIDENr-We are not here 10
eniGhten you. sir, as TO your duties rs
the Chief Magistrate Of this republic, but
to show our respect and present, in brief.
;ne claims of our race TO your favorable
consideration. In the order Of Divine
Providence you are placed ina position
where You have the power 10 save or de
siroy ns-,o bless or blast us. Imean
our whole race. Your noble and humane
predecessor placed in our hands the sword
to assist in saving the nation, and We do
hope that yea, his able successor, will fal
rorsb'y regard the placing in our ands
tie ballot which to save ourselves. We
shall submit no argument on ths, poin..
The fact that We are the subject. Of Gov,
ernmsnt, and subject to taxation, subject
to yolnni-a. - -. .~--;-- - al -.
sstje 10 be drafted, subject to bssr the
burdens Of the Stale, make il not impro.
per that We should a,k to share 10 the
privilege Of this cor di,iou. have no
speech TO submit on this occasion. ! sim.
ply submit these ol Observations "a q limited
expression Of the views and feelings OF
the delegation with which | have come"
The President, AFTER stating generally
that he was n friend TO ell men, both
black and white, said
III know myself and the feelings Of
my own heart, they have been for the
colorsd man. have owned slaves and
bought slaves, but | never sold one. |
nigh; say, hoSs,er, that practically, so
far ss my connection with slaves has
gone, | have been their slave instead Of
their being mine. Some have even fol.
10 we'd me here, while olheTs are occupy.
ing and enjoying my property with my
eonsent. For the colored race my means
my time. my oil have been perilIed; and
now, a, this late day, after giving evi
dence that is tangible, that IS practical, |
am lres TO say to you that | do not like
to be arrsigned by some who Ca es, up
handsomely rounded periods and deal in
rhetorical talk about abstract ideas Of lib.
erty, who never peri!ei life. liberty or
property. This kind Of theoretical, hol.
low, impractical friendship amounts TO
bat very little. Willie I say that i am
a friend 70 the co!ored man, I do not
want 10 adopt a policy that l Le!ev.
will end in contest between the races
which, If persisted in, will result in the
determination OF one or the other. God
forbid that l sh ou!d be engaged in such
a work.
Now, it is best to talk practically and
in common sense way. Yes, hav,
said, and / repeat here, that il the color
ed men in the United States could inc
no other Moses or any Moses ,ha, wouIc
be more able and efficient than myself,
would be his Moses to lead him from
bondage to freedom; that | would pas
him from a lsud where he had lived ia
slavery, 10 a laad-if il were in ou
resch-of freedom! Yes, would b,
willing to pass with him through the Rec
Sea and the land Of promise to the lane
Of liberty. But am not willing, unde
either circunstauces, TO adopt a polio,
which | believe will only result in tn
sacrifice Of bis life and the shedding q
his blood. think I know what | say
I feel what ! say. and feel we'll assure,
that il the policy urged by some be per