Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-03-22
Last Sunday Evening.

Il is thousand pitiss tbs prisoners did lot arrive
three hours earlier last Sunday evening. Time
aud tide wait no man. not even the courteous Capt
Hatch aud the delay, trying as it was TO the thousands
oOnEregG,ed in the Capitol Square and on the hills
around Rockets was made endurRble by the conscious
asss of the fact that no blame fer the head
sind then prevailing STILL it Is pity the prisoners
did not arrive sooner.
Two hours mora Of daylight would Lave enabled US
20 arrange matters properly the Square. The hui
iredS Of lRdies packed the steps OF the Washington
monument would have given way, and the President
Governor Smith and other military and civil dignties
vl OF whom the prisoners and the people would have
oeen glad to got look Az would have had BETTING
rOstrum The returned officers and soldiers could have
clustered arcu2d the base Of the monument, with the
people outside of them and then the speeches could
Gave been heard by everybody.
As il VAS the President heard only by the group
Of officers and soldiers nearest him. The reporters
Ers ulAble penetrate the dense Of the crowd
and hence no report of the speech appears in the paper
This Is TO be regretted, for judging BY the animation
Of his gestures and the ienOy and energy Of bis Tones
he Presidents speech well worth hearing. Night
SAs falling fast, the crowd was weary aud chilled and
he OVAt TO the prisoners ended somewhat abruptly
Notwithstanding all thtss drawbacks, the reception
sas glorious one and surprising far the one which
pecedsdiL Seldom has suoh gathering been seen in
Richmond. There ust have been ten thou aud per
in aud around Rockets ID nearly many in tie
square. Our best people tufn,d out provisions we're
furnished q short notice, ami al! seemed anxious TO
testify their pleasure the return Of the Iapves.
Unless The interchange Of prisoners be stopped
abruptly, (which God Forbid We will manage better
ns1E time Each successive instanent may expect to
lad better prepared to receive them and each ova
ton will show System, order ard convenience,
both for the prisoners and the psope We promise our
selves number of delightful ets days. As the weather
gsous warmer and the trees put forth, there will be
greater disposition TO turn out and the scene will be-
come more lively and attractive. We lave but few
amusement and these receptions wi answer n lieu of
all Others Surely, nothing can be more innocent, or
more beneficial.
Blu. everything depends on the continuation Ct the
system Of paroles which MAJOR Milford has prOsred.
SlAn it be pedS Thousands more Of our officers
and men anguish in Northern dungeons Shall they
be permitted TO remain We ought to SO long way
aud give up great deal for who have gone so far
and done so much for US. Think, too, Of the effect o.
sudden stOpFage of this system. Already the hopl Of
getting home has had hehipPiest effect upon the health
aad moral hrmness Of our prisoners. Destroy this
hope, and despair will seiE, them They will desert
the govern N mt which will appear TO have deserted
them. We must have the rsst of our boys back. If
close the door to their homes they will find new
homes for Themselves L. will never do 10 let them do
that