Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-09-24
The Presidents Southern Trip.

dent for the city of Atlanta, and Gov. Co!quatt
for the people of the State of Georgia:
The President responded as folloTs:-My
friends of Georgia, regret that by reason OF
slight cold taken day CIR Two ago 10 raln
storm in East Tennessee, my voice is not 10
condition to be heard in The first few sentences
Of my address by any considerable portion Oh
this vast audierce, but If you will bear With me
[ expect 10 very few minutes l SHALL make
myself heard. The day before yesterday at
Chattanooga met committee of your cltlzsns'
who desired me and urged me to extend With
the party accompanying me our trip to your
beautiful aud prosperous city. We were all
very DESTROYS to accept that invitation. we
felt that extended as it was it was very great
honor to US. Individually we felt that it would
be very great pleasure TO meet you at your
homes, but our arrangements ahead had Deen
made, and supposed it was out ct the question
to extend the trip. Happily our railroad friends
assured US that by riding all Of last night aud
all of 10 night We should be able to visit Atlanta
aud at once those who we're the healthier and
stronger Ct the party, urged by those CT the
other sex, consented to come, and now we are
here. wish to say 10 a single sentence we are
glad 10 be here. The very eloquent address to
which we have listened, and especially the very
encouraging statements we heard from the
Governor Of Georgia. are surely OF themselves,
rtcted as they have been and endorsed
by the applause Of this great audience, OF
themselves so great qualification that 1 would
not Oh any account have missed the pleasure L
have felt this morning. | suppose that here as
everywhere else | am in the presence OF men OF
both great political parties. | am speaking also
10 the presence of citizens Of both races. | am
quite sure that there arc before me very macy
Of the brave men who fought in the Conledc.
rate army. Some, doubtless, of the men who
fought 10 the Union army and here we are, re-
publicans, democrats, colored people, white
people, Confederate soldiers and Union soldiers,
all of one mind and 600 heart to day; and why
should we not be-? What is there to separate
US longer? Without aay fault of yours or any
fault of mine, or anyone OF this great audience,
slavery existed in this country. 1t was in the
Constitution Of the country, the colorcd man
was here, not by his own voluntary action; it
was the misfortune Of his fathers that he was
here. think it is safe 10 say that it was by
the crime Of our fathers that he was here. lie
was here, however, and we Of the two sections
differed about what should be done with him.
As Mr. Liucon told US 10 the war, there was
prayer on both sides for him. both sides found
10 the Bible confirmation OF their opinions, and
both sides fiually undertook TO settle the ques'
ton by that last fnal means cf arbitration
force Of arms You here mainly joined the
Confederate side and fought bravely. risked
your lives hcroically in behalf of your conVc'
tons, aud can aoy true man anywhere tall to
respect the man who risks his life tor bis con-
victions? And as [ accord that respect to you,
and believe you 10 be equally liberal and gener'
Gus and just, | feel that, as | stand before you
as one who fought 10 the Union army for his
convictions, | am entitled to your respect now
that the conflict is over. My friends, Governor
Hampton repeated to you last night the way IN
which | have been 10 the habit Of putting 1t
portion of trained soldiers 10 your army at first
than 10 ours. 10 much larger proportion you
we're good marksmen and COED horsemen, and
that is two thirds OF good soldier. But grad
ually we learned to ride too, and. as some of
you koow, gradually learned to shoot. l. hap
pen to know how we'll you could shoot. Well,
having learned how to tide and shoot, it was a
case Of fighting between Greek and Greek.
When Greek meets Greek, you know what the
conflict is. And more than that, you know ex-
acty how it will terminate, that the party IN
that fight will always Conquer that has the most
Greeks. So, with no discredit to you and no
special credit to US. the war turned out as it
did. Now, SHALL We Quit fighting. Cries OF
eyes, yes | have been 10 the habit OF
telling an anecdote about General Scott and 8
statesman at Washington, in which the states
man sid, as soon as the war was over and the
combatants laid down their arms. We would
have complete peace. No, said General Scott,
it will take several years.. in which all the pow.
ers Of the General Government will be employed
IN keeping peace between belligerent non COM
batarts. Now, I think, We have gotten through
with that, and having peace between soldiers
and non comta:ants, that is an end ct the war.
Is there any reason. then. why We should not Do
the same voysge; upon the same ship. under
the same old flag; good fortune or i'll fortune
affects you and /; your children, as we'll as my
people and my children. Every interest you
possess is to be promoted by peace Here is the
great city CT Atlanta gathering to itself from ell.
pats Of the country, its wealth and business by
its railroads; and say to you that every. de-
scription Il industry and legitimate business
needs peace. That is what capital wants. Dis
cord, discomfort and Dissatisfaction are the enc
mics Of enterprise Then oil our Interests are
for peace. Are we not agreed about that? What
do we want for the future? believe it is tho
duty Of the General Government to regard
equally and alike tho interests and rights OF all
sections Of this countr-. am glad you agree
with me about that believe further that it is
the duty o. the G0Yernmont TO regard allko anu
equally the rights and Interests of al classes of
citizens. Tint covers the whole matter. That
wipes out in the future in our politics the section
line forever. Let us wipe out in our politics the
color line, and les me say q world upon what
has been done do net undertake to discuss or
defend particular measures leave the people
with their knowledge Of the facts to examine
and discuss, and decide for themselves as to
them. l only speak Of the general considera.
tons and motives. What troubles our people
at the North, what has troubled them, was that
they feared that these colored people who had
been made freemen by the war would not be
safe in tn cir rights and interests in the South un
less it was by Interference of the General Gov.
eminent. Many good people had that idea. |
had given that matter some consideration, and
now, my colored friends, who have thought or
who have been told that was turning my back
upon the men for whom I tough. now listen.
After thinking it over believed that your rights
and interests would ba safer if this great mass of
intelligent white mon were let alone by the
General Government. And now, my colored
friends let me say another thing We have
been trying it for these six months, and in my
opinion for no six months since the war has there
been so few outrsges and invasions of your righ's
nor you 80 secure in your righ',, persons and
homes than in the last six months. Than, my
49, A., Ill