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[25] A negro soldier's speech.--At a celebration of Christmas by a negro regiment at New-Orleans, one of, the men made the following speech:

Fellow-soldiers ob de Sebenth Regiment: I is mighty glad to enjoy dis ‘portunity for enjoying dis fust free Christmas in dis world what we live in. A year ago, where was we? We was down in de dark land of slavery. And now where are we? We are free men, and soldiers of de United States. And what have we to do? We have to fight de rebels so dat we never more be slaves. When de day of battle come, what will we do? I speak for me, and I say for myself, I go and fight de rebels till de last man die. Yes, under de flags what was presented to us from New-York, we fight till de last man die; and if I be de last man, what will I do? I hold up de flags, and if I die, den I go to my grave cousified for doing my duty. De President of de United States is one great man what has done more good dan any oder man whatever was borned. I bless de Lord we fight for so good commander. I have no more to say now and evermore.--Amen.

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