Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-04-18
THE ALEXANDRIA DENONSTRA-
TION.
TWO BASS MEETINGS SPEECHES OF COZ
PIERP0NT, non LEWIS NKENZIE
AND OTHERS.
The Resolutions Adopted, &c.

Tie Alexandria state Journal Of the ilh inst gives
aa extended account Of the public rejoicing in that
city the previous night Qlonday). 1t says:
An amount of good feeling and enthusiasm has been
cngendered among people by the glorious news Of
the mast few DAYS which seems imp Jssibe to repress
Since Grants first m)yemen. against Richmond COM
menced meetings have bean held almost nightly, and
such pouring out Of the has before been
witnessed this section No to tire OF these
demonstrations but eYery additional one appearing to
enl.ndle enthusiasm, and to be attended by in
creased numbers. Two great meetings were held last
nghtOne at Mr. Parkers Theatre building the ull use
OF which had been kindly rendered for the occasion and
at Liberty Hall-bOth of which were crowded by
immense audiences. The theatre building was draped
with the stars and Stripes and presented most beaut
fal appearance. The stage occupied by the speak
els and invited guests, and the excellent band of the
90lst Pennsylvania volunteers. In the orchestra was
seated the band belonging to the I'd d. G. volunteers
and the orchestra band Of the Theatre. choir COM
posed Of the ladies and gentlemen Of the Theatre led by
M j. C. Dunn opened the exercisr of the evening by
singing the glorious national air of the Star Spangled
Banner" Ii was received by perfect hurricane of ap.
pu,c and encOred 10 such extent that they had
return, when they sung another air which has already
received national reputaton-"Eaiy Round the Flag,
Bow"
The meeting was then organized By calling Andrew
Jameson Esq to the Chair and eectng a large mum
Der of Vice Presidents and Secretaries
Mr.. Jameson, taking the chair, thanked the audi!
ence for tho honor conferred upon him by calling him to
preside over such large and respectable meeting. He
congratulated those present on the gor)ls news when
had been brought of the continued success OF our
and the approach OF peace reunited cOun'
try would soon again bless landa country which
would hereafter be founded the broad principles OF
freedom. (Cheers)
Gov. Pierpont was then introduced amid immense ap-
pause. After few preliminary remarks he alluded to
the rebellion amongst the heavenly hosts and drew
comparison between il ard the which had caused
much suffering and bloOdshed in land during the
past four long years. Both originated from misguided
AmbOn-an nsa.ate thirst for power and the first end
ed as the present will aud all such unjustifabe rebel
lions must end in all time TO come Truth and justice
must prevail
But few years ago our national ensga-.he glorious
old stars and Stripes-was honored and respected
throughout the world. 1t was protection to every c
o. our land IN every civilized country under the sun
attempted to be stricken down by the leaders Of
this rebellion but thank God they had failed. To-day il
again appears undmmed by the loss OF star, and
floats proudly over every Satea beacon Of light and
Of hope the oppressed of every nation. wise Pro-
vdenc had caused to pass through the priyations-
the scenes of blood and OF desoaon of the past four
years for wise purpose We have already emerged from
the darkness which has enveloped nation purified
in many respects and let us hope better greater and
a wiser people in every way.
nation founded as ours must hereafter be, on the
great and mmutAble principles of truth and justice with
one a-the glorious stars and Strpes-no power
on earth will be able 20 prevail against it etard its
ward march to greatness and glory. (Cheers.)
The speaker continued at considerable length with great
eoluence and power frequently being interrupted by the
most enthusiastic cheers At the conclu sion of his re-
marks the audience and gave three rousing cheers
for armies and their commanders three for gal.
liant navy, and tiger for Gov. Pcrpont
Col II. H. Wells Provost Martial General for the de
fences south Of the Potomac then introduced and
delivered stirring speech
We make room for the following portion 0: rs re-
marks:
LADIES ASD GENTLEMEN The ringing of Joyous
bells which broke the stiffness of the morning through
the whole extent Of shs broad land woke millions
free men and ~ the happies morning light that
dawned them. They told the glad tidngs which
for four long years Of blood suffering and have
been prayed for the field the house and in the no.
vel Richmond has fallen General Robert L. Lee, the
Wisest and best of enemies has had the courage
surrender himself and his army. The fearful slaughter
of human life is ended-that unceasing tide of blood
which has deuged the land is dried upthe destroyer is
checked-the torch which has swept away so much Of
wealth cvzat and refinement is eXtngushe. Joy is
abroad in the andioy that full and boundless-oy for
ever heart aud altaeterna JOY TO OdVirgi.
MA Chief Of sinners she has BEEN she is redeemed,
dsnthralled and made free She will sit no with
the scorne-the evil spirit has been cast out and she
will sit in her right mind around the National altar
where her absence has so long been mourned. What a
baptism of blood she has hadhow her resdes and her
homes have been des)ated her substance wasted her
fame furnished and her slain, with Temorseless
blood thirstiness that would be satisfied But il
over nova new day has dlwned-new flowers will
bloom--l aud before unknown prosperity will smile
on her and though the deep which have marred
her beauty will remain solemn warning TO coming
times aud still she will rise life and beauty,
broader civilization and glorious history
Thank Heaven for the new birth!
What shall say tonight fOrSthe glorious army Of
the Union, whose blood and courage has all this
for Us All that have is theirs for them nothing Is
too good No woman's lovi too rich reward and no
remembrs nee too lasting Our children and chill
drens children to the latest generation should, while
playing around the mothers knee, be taughtto glory
in their tumphs and venerate their heroic deeds hat
shall say for him who planned these campaigns He
told nearly year since that he would tight II out
on that line il it took all Summer" and fight IL out
he did through the succeeding summers heat the rosts
of fall and winters cold The opening spring onnd him
more observation-disclosures and with more fight in him
than he had before To Withstand that iron will
and boundless resource impossible. The eyacua-
ton Of Richmond and the retreat followed OF necessity
But the retreat hopeless the defence OF Rich
rnond, for whichever way Lee and his worn out and
demoTszed army fed the relentless foe confront
ed him. till at last Tennison says Of the famous six
hundredr- Cannon to right of them, cannon to left Of
them cannon in front and rear voed and Numbered
When General Grant great in his magnanimity asked
General Lee to surrender, and offered him terms so gen
erous and just that are at loss which to admire
a. nnirs MANNED the cnnrare that achieYeA