Year: 1865

try and economy, and that being done, all


who have been industrious are permitted


to appropriate the fruit of their own labor


Cheers This one of the great blessings


of freedom, and hence we might ask the


question, and answer it by stating that


liberty means freedom to work and enjoy


the products of our own labor.


You will be soon mustered out, and it


is for you to establish the great fact


that youare fit to be free, Hence freedom is


not mere idea but is something that ex-


lists. In fact freedom is not simply privi-


lige to live. in idleness. Liberty does not


mean simply to resort to saloons and 9TH


erplaces ofdisreptable character. Freedom


and liberty do not mean that people


ought to live in licentiousness. Liberty


means simply to be industrious, virtuous.


upright in all our dealings and relations


with men, and those now before me, mem


bers of the lst regiment of colored volun-
teers from the District of Columbia and


Capitol of the United States, 1 have to
say that a great deal depends upon
yourselves.


l Ou must give evidence that you are COM
petent for rights that the Government has
guaranteed to you. Henceforth each and
all of you must be measured according TO
your merit. II one man is more merito-
rious than another, they cannot be equals,
and he is the most exalted that is the most
meritoriOus, without regard 10 color and
the idea of having a law passed inthe
morning that will make q white man q
black man before night, and black man
a white man before day, is absurd. That
IS not the standard. 1t is your own con-
duct. 1t is your own merit. 1t is the
development of your own talents, and of
your own intelligence and moral qualities.
Let this, then, be your course. Adopt
system of morality. Abstain from all
and let me say one thing.
for am going to talk plain. / have
lived in a Southern State all my life, and
know what has too often been the case.
There is one thing you should esteem
higher and more supreme than almost all
else; and that is the solemn contract, with
all penalties, in the association of married
life. Men and women should abstain from
these qualities and habits that too fire.
luently follow a war. Inculcate among
your children, and among your associates,
you are just back from
.he army of the United States, that virtue.
hat merit, that intelligence, are the stand
lrds to be observed, and those which YOU
IRE determined to maintain during your
future lives. This is the way to make
white men black and black men white.
'Cheers)


ne that is most meritorious and virtuous
and intellectual, and well informed must
Itand highest without regard to color.
Each individual takes his degree in
ublimer and more exalted regions in pro-
portion to his merit and his virtue. Then
shall say to you on this occasion, that in
to your homes and fresides, after
ceiling conscious and proud of having
discharged your duty, re- |
urn with the determination that YOU
will perform your duty in the future as
'ou have in the past, and abstain from all /
hose chickering's and jealousies and re-
-engeful feelings which too often spring
lpbetween different raees.


There is a great problem before us, and


may as well allude to it here in this con-
lection. 1t is whether this race can be
and mixed with the people of
ne United States, to be made a harmOni-


us and permanent ingredient in the pop
Ilation. This is problem not vet settled,
'ut we are in the right way to do so.


Slavery raised its head against the Gov
rnment and the Government raised its
trong arm and struck it to the ground.
o part of the problem is settled. The in
titution of slavery is overthrown, but


mother remains to be solved, and that is:
Jan four millions of people raised as they
AVE been, with all privileges of whites,
an they take their places in communitysI
nd be made to work harmOniOusly and
in our system. This is a pro-
lem to be considered. Are the digesta-
i've powers our own Government suffi-
lent to receive this element in a new
hape, and digest and make it work health
llly upon the system that has ineorpora-
ed 1t; this is the question to be determin-
d. Let us make an experiment, and
lake it in good faith. If that cannot be
one there is another problem that is be-
Ore us.


If we have to become a separate and
istinct people, although l trust that sys-
EN- can be made to work harmOniOusly,
nd the great problem settled without go
lg and further if it should be so that
he two races cannot agree and live in
eace and prosperity, and the laws of Prov
lence require that it should be so; in that
vent, looking to thef far distant future and
rusting it may never come if it shOul
ONE, Providence that works mysteriously
ut unerringly will point out the way, and
he mode and the manner by which these


eople are to be separated, and they are to
e taken to their lands of inheritance, and
he promise for such one is before them,
ence we are making experiments.


Hence let me impress upon you the i'm
ortance of controlling your passions, de-


clipping your intellect and of applying
our physical powers to the industrial in
crest of the country, and that is the true
rocess by which this question can be set
led. Be patient, persevering and for


earring and you will help to solve the
iroblem and make for yourselves a repu-
alton in this cause as you have won for
a reputation in the cause in
which you have been engaged, In speak
ng to members of this regiment l want
hem to understand, so far as l am con-
erned, do not assume or pretend that
m stronger than the laws or the course of


ature, or that am serthan providence
I is our duty to try and discover what
hese great laws are which are at the
of all things, and having
iseovered what they are, conform our
ctions and our conduct to them
nd to the will of God who rules
Il things. He holds the destinies of ma
ions in the palm of His hand, and He will
olive the question and rescue these people
rom tho difficulties that have 50 long
them. Then let US be patient,
Industrious and persevering. Let US de-
elope our intellectual and moral worth.


1 trust that what have said may be
and appreciated. Go to your
omes and lead peaceful, prosperous and
Apply lives, in peace with all men, Give
tteranco to no word that would cause
ascension, but do that which will be cred
able to yourselves and to your country.


To the officers who have so nobly led
nd commanded you in the field, 1 also
,turn nv sincere thanks for the comph-
tent conferred upon me.


The troops then returned to Campbell
Iospital, where they partook of the abun-
ant hospitalities of their colored fellow :
tizens.
he Episcopal Convention.