The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-04-19
Aitl(mond 5lispatth.
19, 1867. /


proceeded to the Capitol Square TO attehd
the meeting called to assemble there, and
found but few on the ground. As soon,
| however, as the Convention at the African
church adjourned, an immense crowd
| thronged up from towards the Governor
mansion, and in a short time such an as
semblage was around the monument as
we have never seen in Richmond. While
we were writing these preparatory notes by
the light of the moon, which shone In her
brightest splendor, a pistol was acciden-
| tally discharged on the north side OF the
monument, but the occurrence created
little excitement; and in few minutes
the meeting was called to order by Mr.. John
| Oliver, colored, who nominated Mr.. Will
liam Rye as chairman.
On taking his seat, Mr.. Rye "guessed "
that the compliment paid him was due to
the fact that he was called the war-horsc
of Shenandoah, and it was his purpose to
lead out the colts and fiiles to show their
mettle at the next races. Three cheers. ]
At this time we were cOurteously fur
nishcd with table, chair, and candle, and
every possible facility to report was at-
forded us. The Chairman then introduced
Mr.. Conway.
Mr.. Conway, in beginning his remarks,
referred to the meeting held in this city at
the Theatre a few days since, and was
glad that the use Of the same build
ing had been refused to the loyal
men, for it would never have held one
fourth of the loyal people before him.
They were now in such large theatre,
thank God, that all would have an op-
IL hay Il
listen. [Voicc.-Conway, where did you
come from ?"l 81 came from New York,
and paid my way down here" "Did you
ever own negro" Loud cries of" Put
him out. put him out. kill him !" &c.l
There was evidently no disposition on the
part of anybody to obey such inhuman
sentiments, and quiet being restored, Mr..
Conway proceeded. This, my friends, is
the commencement Of an epoch in the
history of the Old Dominion" and
the colored people here, in the lam
guage of Victor Hugo, is new element
OF power. And the sentiment with me
now is, that you are not "colored people,
but loyal citizens. "Speakers at the
theatre meeting had told you how sud
denly they bad begun to love you" but he
enioyed that meeting more than any cir
Gus he ever attended, for he thought that
they had proved themselves too sharp for
the speakers. They always said no when
they were expected to say yes, and they
said yes when they were expected to say
no, in answer to all questions put to them.
Mr.. Daniel, he said, got out OF temper, and,
he rather thought, out OF love, before he got
through. Mr.. ID. said that he had accepted
the situation. "Well, when | was boy |
once accepted situation. got into
fight with another boy and was whipped !;
but do YOU think ] wanted to fight any
more No; | made friends with that boy,
and we have been friends ever since"
The rebels, who fought to destroy this
Government, called the people Of the
North robbers, liars, invaders, hypocrites,
and demagogues, and coming from them,
lie accepted it as compliment. They
also said that the war was not waged TO
set the negroes free but the loyal Con-
gress determined that this should be done.
But even il that was not the lnten-
tion Of the loyal men at the time
the war began, cannot men repent !
He would ask Mr.. Daniel whether
freedom was a blessing or curse! lie
had said that freedom was the greatest
curse that could bcfall the negro. lie
further said that the Radicals did not in
tend to give them the use of the ballot,
except for party interests. But his party
intended to teach the blacks to be united
and strong, and would secure their rights.
The Convention at the African church
would be called diSorderly, but it was in
fact harmonious, while the greatest inte-
rest was felt in its proceedings, and the
little agitation meant anxiety and earnest
ness. Mr.. Conway continued for some
time in strain similar 10 the above, and
at times exhibiting more vindictive and
bitter feelings against the white peo-
pie OF the South; but the pres
sure upon our columns forbids our
following him further except to add
that he announced his intention to visit
the more southern States, and there in
form them that the colorcd people were
one in Richmond and in New Orleans.
The Chairman then introduced "Colo-
mel" Hinton, of Washington, d. c., I'VE
would have said "'appy Hingland y who
made a long speech of very lncendiary
character. Mr.. Conway interrupted him
in the beginning of his violent harangue TO
inform the meeting that "Colonel " linton
was with old John Brown at Harper's
Ferry.
Mr.. Hunnicutt then made one Of his
characteristic speeches, at the termination
of which the meeting unanimously pledged
itself to vote for him for Governor of Nir-
ginia.
Mr.. II. was followed by a venerable re-
preventative from Chicago, called Dr..
Calver, whose remarks We could not re-
main to hear. As we were leaving the
Square we inferred that the meeting was
being closed with song.