The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-07-06

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THr FOURTH OF July IN RICHMOND
Time was, not many years ago, when our
people celebrated the anniversary of the
Fourth of July with great spirit; when
the day was ushered in by the booming OF
cannon, when flags hoated in the breeze,
the military made q grand display, and
everybody and family went in for a full
measure of enjoyment. But times have
changed. The Southern people, feeling
that they have no part in the government
of the country, have little disposition to
participate in the national jublees, and
hence the Fourth of July in Richmond, so
far as the white population were concern
ed, was dies non. Not so, however.
with the freedmen and irsedwOmen. They
took complete possession OF the day and of
the city; the highways, the byways, and
Capitol Square, were black with moving
masses of darkeys, many Of them armed,
and apparently ready for anything, belli-
gcrent or otherwise.
The day was beautiful, a refreshing
breeze rendering the atmosphere very
agreeable; and as many of our citizens as
could conveniently do SO, left the city,
partly TO enjoy a days relaxation from
business and partly to avoid the spectacle
which they could not have avoided wit
Messing had they remained at home. Busi-
ness, however, was only partially suspend
ed, many stores being open, and mechanics
pursuing their labors, while the numerous
barrooms of Richmond were in full blast
throughout the day. That good deal of
whisky was drank is quite probable, but
we heard Of no sanguinary encounters in
consequence-a fact which We record with
IL great deal of pleasure.
At quite an early hour procession of
negroes, mounted and on foot, moved
through the streets, displaying great va
ricty of mysterious regala and number
of banners. The same organizations that
participated in the negro celebration in
April last were again visible on this occa-
sion, with perhaps some additions. The
inscriptions on the banners told the names
of these "socictics.'' There were the
First District Tobacco Mechanics" the
New Nation Guard" lin honor of Bro
thcr Hunnicutt), the "National " Guard"
the "Union Aid Mounted Guard" the
Teamsters' Society,"" "MasonS," SO
called, &C., SC, and q considerable num-
Der of the rag-tag and bob-tail, not con-
nected with any particular organization.
The marshals were mounted, and the
principal business of the "chief" seemed
to be giving the order "IIead OBJ column
TO de right" in stentorian voice.
Capitol Square mean while was rapidly
filling up with negroes, and indeed this
seemed to be the central point of attrac-
tion for the colored race, big and little,
male and female. The flags OF the United
States and Of Virginia tloated from the
tlag-statis Of the capitol by order of the
, Governor, and we noticed on the latter the
, words Liberty and Union above the
coat -oi-arms of the State. This interpola-
tion was made by authority of the rump
Legislature at Alexandria. The negroes
had decorated the Washington Monument
, with evergrcens, and p laced in the hands
of each OF the statues of Jefferson and
Mason small calico flag. This was q
) liberty which no white man ever yet pre-.
sumed to take with Virginia's great work
of art, but, fortunately, the spectacle was
seen by very few of our citizens. AS far
as the eye could reach, the black moving
cloud might have been seen. Capitol
street was completely blockaded, and
funeral procession on the way to
DR.. Moore's Church was stopped, nor
could it move forward until the
services Of the police were brough,
into requisition TO disperse the crowd
The sidewalks were occupied by negro
venders Of ice-cream, weak lemonade
cakes, and fried chicken. 1t was painful
to contrast the scene with that presented
on each recurrence of this anniversary
before the war. In those days the Square
was thronged by well-dressed and happy.
looking white people, many of whom came
J in from the adjacent counties to see the
Fourth -; and the military companies o.
Richmond, drawn up in line, fired salute
at l2 o'clock in honor of the day. Now
with the exception of the Federal soldiers
scarcely white person was visible, while
the grass plats were trodden down by the
huge feet of negroes, crowding, dancing
, jostling, and sweating: and one could no,
help observing, in regard to the day, "tc
what base uses thou hast come at last"
The crowd around the monument seem
ed to be waiting for a speaker, but no one
| SdluC. LOuu CdllS NSlC uiduc upou DiothS'
Hunnicutt; but that individual, with more
discretion than we had given him credit
for, declined to respond. Finally, about II
o'clock, the scene was varied BY the arri
val of battalion Of the Eleventh United
States infantry, and company F, Of the
Fifth Artillery flour guns), under com
mand Of Major Houston, accompanied b!
splendid brass band. This was the sigma
for great commotion among the negroes
who rushed pell-mell hither and thither
each one desiring to obtain the most eligi
bic position. General Terry and staff
mounted and in full uniform, were also
present. One negro woman, more demon
strativs than the rest, shouted "Hurrat
for de Cnion," and fairly danced for joy
The majority, however, kept comparatively
quiet, seemingly absorbed in contemplating
their new and novel situation.
At l2 o'clock the artillery fred . salute
Of one gun for each State, including those
that are ont as well as those that are in the
Union, q circumstance which We could not
help regarding as rather strange, consider.
J ing the action Of the Radical Congress to.
wards US. The band mean while enter.
tanned the crowd with " Hail Columbia, >
: i" Yankee Doodle" and the Star-Span.
pled Banner" The guns made very loud
and startling reports, and colored fe.
male, being asked if she was not frighten.
ed, replied, "Scare whoi Ny house done
been tore to pieces by hghtnin' once, and
don't reckon Use afraid OBJ dem tings.'
The salute over, the guns were limbered
- .s~t~ ~nh