Year: 1865

W m1iuVhhu uurln& your Iutufe Qve1. 1nlo II
the way TO make white men black and black
men white. [Cbeers. He tba1 10 most mer.
isorious, and virtuous, and intellectual, and
well informed, must stand highest, without
regard to color. 1t is the very basis upon
which heaven rests itself Each individual
takes his degree in the sublimer and more ex.
alted regions in proportion to his merits and
his virtue. Then 1 shall say to you, On this
occasion, in returning to your homes and frs.
sides, after feeling conscious and proud OF
having faithfully discharged your duty, re-
turning with the determination that you will
perform your duty in the future as you have
In the past, abstain from all those chickering's
and jealousies, and vengeful feelings, which
too often spring up between different races.


There is great problem before us, and /
may as well allude to it here in this connec.
ton, and that is, whether this race can be in
corporated and mixed with the people of the
United States, to be made harmonious and
permanent ingredient in the population. This
il problem not yet settled, but we are in
the right line to do SO. Slavery raised its
head against the government, and the gov
ernment raised its strong arm, and struck II to
the ground; SO that part of the problem is
settled. The institution of slavery, 10 ovor-
thrown, bat another part remains to be solved.
and that is, can four millions Of people, raised
IS they have been, with all the prejudices of
the whites, can they take their places in the
community and be made to work harmoniously
and oongrpously in our systemf This is =
problem to be considered. Are the digestive
powers of the American government sufficient
to receive the element in new shape, and
digest it, and make il work heslihfully upon
the system that has Incorporated i'll This is
tho IN action IN he doforxp,uaJ ~, wa Lie
the experiment and make II in GOOD faith. If
that cannot be done, there is another prob
lem that Is before us if we have to become a
separate and distinct people, although trust
that the system can be made 70 woek Aarmo-
niously and that the great problem will be
settled without going any farther, if it should
be so that the two races cannot agree and
live in peace and prosperity, and the laws of
Providence require that they should be sepa-
rated and are TO be taken to their lands
of inheritance and promise; for such . one is
before them. Hence we are nakipg the ax-
pertinent. Hence, let me impress upon you
the importance of controlling your passions
Of developing your intellects and of applying
your physical powers to the industrial inter
ests Of the country; and that is the true pro-
cess by which this question can be settled.
Be patient, persevering and forbearing, and
yoa will help to solve the problem. Make for
yourselves reputation in this cause, as you
have won for yourselves . reputation in the
cause IN which you have been engaged


In speaking to the members of this regi.
ment, want them TO understand, that 80 far
as am concerned, do not assume or pre-
tend that am stronger than the laws or
course of nature, or that l am wiser than
Providence itself. Iii our duty to try and
discover what these great laws are which are
the foundation Of all things, and, having dis.
covered what they are, conform our actions
and our conduct to them, and TO the will of
God, who rleth all things. He holds the
destinies Of nations in the palm of His hand,
and he will solve the question and rescue
these people from the difficulties that have
long surrounded them. Then let us patient.
industrious and persevering. Let us develop
our intellectual and moral worth.


trust what have said may be understood
and appreciated Go 10 your homes and lead
peaceful and prosperous, and happy lives, in
peace with all men. Give utterance to no
word that would cause dissention, bu, do that
which will be creditable TO yourselves and to
your country.


To the officers who have led and so nobly
commanded you in the field, / also. return my
thanks for the compliment you have conferred
upon me.


The troops then returned to Campbell hos
pital, where they partook of the abundant
hospitalities Of their colored fellow citizens.