New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-02-10
Public Meeting at thc African Church:

In response TO the call of Governor Smith OF
Virginia TO meet him 1T the African Church. the great
est concolrse OF people assembled N lAt Ou1s |
lected under its roof The meeting was a'erliseu 10
be held at 4 O'clock. Before O'Clock very
scat and position where man could stand "as oecu'
Med and with each moment the crowd became greater
BIZ additional arrivals. until at last what nad peen
crowd became JAM The galleries were ~ Cosy icy
hacked that serious fears were entertained tnlt tley
wou!d give way under their weight and crush al De-
Meath them. 80 ,o<
Ii was gratifying to this immense attendance ofs
meeting whose object was to hurl back into lincons
teeth the insult put upon the Southern people by MS an
swer TO the Confederate Commissioners sent to ooher
with him the subject Of peace between the
tries Standing in that immense assemblase aLd nearing
The of the ctzensand soldiers Tiers
gathered together Involuntary carried BACK
by the sight aId by TIC eager spirit that nla,,J AZ
piosent 10 the first days Of SECESSION Never o"l0re
ba, the war spirit burned erccy and steadily lhs
Grm resolve to resist 10 the very death the DEMANDS OF
the Northern tyrant that now anin'ates inc Nho'o
southern people was plainly visible IN that meeting.
| About o'clock Gov. Smith. attended by Pfesidens
Davis and several distinguished citizens, came upon
the stand The proceedings were openeI WIZ pr1yer
nv the Rev Dr. Burrows. OF the Baptist Church. Iho
Governor addressed the multitude IN patriotic ana
soul stirring speech duriag when he was frequently
interrupted by thunders Of applause lie was ionoweu
by President Davis In address Of ABOUT th'eeqnar'
tors of an hour curing hch he frequently luer-
rupted with the widest outbursis oi applause. pom
the subject Of the recent peace commission iTeseehs
Davis said he himself had never enertalnei n!ch h"po
al efsctinc honorable terms long onr cause waS
meeting with seVeISes; but, under The clrcuIn-
stances, when semi.olcial repres' NATIVES had so
frequently visited Government, intimate
ing that negotiations might result IN sats-
factory adjustment of difficulties. and when II was
plain that The sucrlgs Of the people dictated tnat every
effort his part should be mode to BRING ABOUT ces
sotion of hosttcs be felt il ls duty as he mad always
done to eppont those whom he regarded ms amoH TO
best men We had, who were most calculated TO Neal tao
existing breach which severed and obtain thar lhde-
ncndnce for the Confedcrecy from the Federal Govern
mcnt which other Power on the face oI the earn ps
the Yankees would think Of DENYING. AS 70 .ho
conditions of peace President Davis emphatcaiy ss-
serted that none save the independence OF the 'ol
fcdcracy could ever receive his sanction. lie hau en-.
barkcd in this cause with IAN k.owlcuso y. ~ -
tremendous odds against us; but, with the approval 0,
a inst Providence which he conscientlonsiy Dehe'eu
was on our side and the united Oh our pcop 10
doubted not that victory womb YET crown our aOois
G his oorresnondence with Lincoln, that fnnctoE.ry
nal always spoken of the United States and the Con-
fe coy ms our afflicted country; but, IN his replies 10
ohe speaker had never ilieu 10 REFER 10 tieli -
snnarafe and distinct governments, and sooner an We
sbpnlI ever be united again, he would bs wilin; Z"
Weld ND everything he has on earth, and, il were
noeshle would sacrifice thousand lives before ho
would succumb 1t was impossible ut the late hour
when President Davis concluded to give any.
thing like accurate summary OF his remarks.
Suffice 1t say. that 1t was everything which might
have been expected from distinguished patriot and
no one Of the cOncOuEe present failed 10 be en-
Enthusiastically gEltiied. uo concluded by exhor'inS
those at home who are able 10 bear arms, to unite vita
those alrcacy the army in repens the foe. believing
that thereby would compel thc Yankees IN less than
twelve months TO petition US for peace upon our own
terms.
AT the conclusion of President Davis's spesoh, Gov.
Smith arose and read The following preamble ana eso-
utons ssriotim, which were unanimously adopted az
the sentiment Of the meeting; .,
Bhereas The Commonwealth Of Nirginl. ia concert WV.
other American States, did in the year li't, soephy
forth that when any form of government becomes de'unc
of the happiness dangerous 20 the liberties oil u, I91
IL j. the hight and duty Of the people to alter OF aoos ~
pursuance wheeoih did dccl-re os p,hst o.
States nnd trhereIs her separate Independence sno
IN. eosting States aerwTd acknowledged oy ~ h
and ,rLs,eas Virginia did subsequently torA WIN 49,
states common government, agency for the @anase"
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