The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1866-04-27
Andrew Johnson's Last Speech to the
Freedmen.

Andrew Johnson's Last Speech to the
Freedmen.
The following is the speech in full of the
President to the colored troops and colored
societies in Washington on the 9th inst:
BE WARNS THE FREEDMEN
My colored friends. have nothing more
to say to you on this occasion than to thank
you for this compliment you have paid in
presenting yourselves before me on this
your day of celebration.
come forward for the purpose of indi-
eating my appreciation and manIfesting my
appreciation of tie respect thus offered and
conferred. thank you for the compliment,
and 1 mean what 1 say. and 1 will remark
in this connection that the time will come,
and that before great while, when the col
ored population of the United States will
find out who has selected them as hobby
and pretense, by which they can be sue
cessful IN obtaining power, and who have
been their truest friends, and wanted them
to participate and enjoy the blessings of
freedom.
THE NEGRO NOT HIS HOBBY.
I know how easy it is to cater to the pre-
JUDGE, and how easy it is to excite the
feelings of prejudice and unkindness. I
care not for that. I have been engaged in
this work in which my all has been staked.
I was not engaged in it as a hobby, nor
did ] ride the colored man for the sake of
giving power to what 1 did for the purpose
of establishing the great principle of free
dom, 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.
Enthusiastic applause.
ANOTHER LICK AT THE sHIRKERs.
1t is very easy for colored men to have
pretended friends, ensconced 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 a sixpence in
the furtherance of the great cause, while
another periled his all and put everything
sacred and dear to man, and those he had
raised and who live with him nos, 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 color
ed friends, here to day, that the time will
come, and it is not far distant, when it will
be proved who are your best friends.
WHO ARE YOUR TRUE FRIENDS.
My friendship, as far as it has gone, is
not for place or power, for I had these
already. It has been a principle with me,
and 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.
Al plause, Then-let me mingle with you
in the celebration of the day which COM
Iscerity and truth, and trust in God, and that
I the blessings which have been conferred
may be enjoyed and appreciated by you,
and that you may give them proper di-
rection. There is something for all to do,
Y GU have solemn duties to perform; and
you ought TO remember that freedom is not
/ an idea, it must be reduced to practical Re
ality. Men in freedom dsny themselves
things which seem to be embraced IN the
idea of universal freedom.
THE FREEDMAN AND HIS 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
freedmen.
Let me thank you for the compliment you
have paid me by passing through here to.
day and paying your respects to me. ]
repeat again. the time viii come when you
1 will know who have been your bestfriends,
and whether have not been your friend.
Accept my thanks.
.ENTHUsiAsM AMONG THE FREEDMEE.
The band struck up a lively tune. Mean
while the President remained, very many o.
the colored persons approaching and =
ing hands with him. The procession Iher
reformed and took up the line of marcel
along Pennsylvania avenue. When passing
the Capitol cheer after cheer rent the air
in compliment to their legislative friends
Never before has there been such demon
stration of colored people in Washington
who were joined by friends from Other
places. There was probably four or fiv
thousand persons in the procession. while
ten thousand of the same race were inter
ested spectators, manifesting their Joy anc