Year: 1866

come, and that too before great
while, when the colored population of
the United States will find out who
have selected them as hobby and a
pretence, by which they can be sue.
cessful in obtaining and maintaining
power, and who have been their truest
friends, and wanted them to partici-
pate in and enjoy the blessings of
freedom; the time will come when it
will be made known who contributed
as much as any other man, and who
without being considered egotisticaI,
may say contributed more, in pro-
curing the gseat national guaranty of
the abolition ofslavery in all the States
by the ratification of the amendment
to the Constitution of the United
States, giving national guaranty that
slavery shall no longer be permitted
to exist or be re-established in the
State or jurisdiction Of the United
States. | know how easy it is to
cater to prejudice, and how easy it is
to excite feelings of prejudice and I'M
kindness. | care not for that.
have been engaged in this work in
which my all has been periled,
was not engaged in it as a hobby, nor
did [ ride the coiored men for the
sake of gaining power, but for the
purpose of establishing the great prin-
ciple of freedom 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 guaranty than those of any
other living man in the United States.
( Enthusiastic applause.) 1t is very
easy for colored men to have pretend
ed friends ensconced in high places
and far removed from danger, whose
eyes have only abstractedly gazed on
freedom, who have never exposed their
limbs or property, and who never con
trlbuted a sixpence in furtherance Of
the great cause, while another perilcd
his all and put everything sacred and
dear to man, and those whom he
raised and who lived with him now
enjoy bis property with his consent.
and receive his aid and assistance
I ct some assume to be, and others
who have done nothing are consider
ed, the great defenders and protectors
Of the colored man. | repeat, my
colored friends here to-day, that the
time will come, and that not far dis
tant, when it will be proved who is
practically your best friend. Ny
friendship, as far as it has gone, has
not been for place or power, for l had
these already.


1t has been a principle with me and
| thank God that the great principle
has been established, that whenever
any individual, in the language of
distinguished orator, treads the Ameri-
can soil, His soul swells within him
in the appreciation of the great truth
that he stands forth redeemed, rcgcn-
Grated and disenthralled by the genius
of universal emancipation "a D.
plause.) Then let me mingle with
you in the celebration of the day which
commenced your freedom. | do it
in sincerity aud truth, and trust in
God that the blessings, which have
been conferred, may be enjoyed and
appreciated by you, and that you may
give them proper direction. There is
something for all to do. You have
high and solemn duties to perform,
and you ought to remember that free
dom is not Il mere idea. 1t must be
reduced to practica! reality. Men in
being free are to deny themselves
many things, which seem to be en-
braccd in the idea of universal freedom.
1t is with you to give evidence to the
world and the people of the United
States whether you are going to APP
preciate this great boon as it should
be, and that you are worthy of being
free. Then let me thank you with
sincerity for the compliment you have
paid me by passing through here to-
day and paying your respects to me.


Irepeat again the time will come
when you will know who have been
your best friends, and who have not
been your friends from mercenary
considerations. Accept my thanks y