The New York herald., 1867-04-16
RECONSTRUCTION.


| S6SSVS nOOttS/Ns
MASS MEETING At RICHMOND.
|
Address TO the Freedmen By NIessrs. Daniel
!ehnses asa Nlacfarland-Great Enihusi
! ssli. sc.
WASHINGTON, April 1s 1851.
From Richmond to-n..Ls get the following account
Of an important meeting th. took place in the new
theatre This Is the rss meeting OF k'no ever neid
IN Richmond few weeks ago, while sess "'ai NOISY
local radical agitators were uttering innam matc.y
harangues to creduous and ignorant freedmen with the
sole motive Of occurring political self advancement At the
expense Of the OF both whites and blacks
dozen Of the most respectab and intelligent OF
the colored citizens in this community met together
and consulted on the best way Of inaugurating policy
for bringing together themselves and the prominent
men In the late rebellion. comparing views and IL pos
sioie amlIatng for their common welfare II per-
ceivsd that Hunncutt and such fanatca guides were
mot alone engendering lfssng bstwsen the races but
also materially impeding the return OF former business
prosperity II was eventually decided to extend an in
vitasion to three prominent genilemen to meet tho
coored citizens and address them the vital issues OF
the hcur. The following is the request:--
TO MsssrA MARkADUKs JOHNSON. wnLAx H MAcrAR-
LAND and RALncH 7 DAs.sL:-
GnsfixnEN-We the undersigned colorcd citizens of
cumstancss both novel and embarrassing ana
coming respectable and loyal citizens aop'l Of Rich. Cs
. mond. virginia and tho Union, take the
Ssry Ss a. asking ~ a. you VIM to US through
may be most convenient to you that salaary and i'm
partial advice which We SO much need and which your
past career ana present standing well henable you to
give Hoping to receive favorasle answer we remain
Here follow tho names OF thirteen Influential coored
Those to whom the foregoing we'll meaning note was
saaressea unnesitanngy condescended To- meet their
sei s rms evening at eight o'clock was set apart
for the meeting and at the appointed hour the new
Richmond theatre was hronged to lis fullest capacity.
The private boxes, orchestra, the perqustto aud
galleries, 6presented singular sight for theatre in
southern city Whites and blacks, shining ebony and
aaDaster races mingled with the happest effect the
sidewalks and across the street front OF theatre
Numerous groups, for whom space was available In
the interior Of tho house, gathered in discussion
struction. Eventually, before the speakers made made
the ooghts the rear OF the stage was occupied by
throng OF influential white citizens. AS tho time ap-
johnson went up from s the audience ue'ss "
colOred gentleman named Mr.. Scion johnson
!, the nIe Of m e hem meeting M by saying he was
know the partisans OF certain notorious demaeogue
were present in the meeting but he trusted the friends
OF liberty would that freedom Of speech and hear
ing OF both sides would be allowed.
Mr.. Travers Daniel said he cordially thanked them for
the invitation they had given him to together In
friendly and conversational way aud talk over the
duties dsvolving upon them. We have waited con
always have and always intend treat you with kind
and consideration and feel ready TO acknowledge
know wha. our duties are to each other: il seemed to
him that II they are to 1.-Two together 1t is they
should cultivate friendly feelings. We ask from you
those friendly services you have heretofore ara still
performing. He would ask them, is it TO be peace
war between them' cres Of :. Peace-peace. y With
regard to their political duties he would say they
had "a great and unparalleled task, dsvolving
sS.v On ns% sss ..s BY ,.S violent political Tsva:.a
never expected and which many Of them were UNITED
to AL He would advise them 10 select tho rep
resent them who wsrs nonorsd aad trusted IN the com
goguc, who taught them to hats their neighbors
NJ MAa.ADuk. Josssos .. this junctore. announced
thousand colOrod people outside whe could aos gain
scsno Of considerable confusion cnsued the white
ana women crcwding forward TO the already
burdencd stage from the parquet until hardly suscient
were great but the audience paid no attention
the Inconvenience resulting thersfrom
say that the people Of The North had proved
themselves the voriess hypocrites on EARTH In
storation Of the Unon and that all The lights of the
several States should remain unmpaired Il not,
my friends for love Of you they prosecuted this war
villages. and committed the grossest atrocities
people "a colored voce-"rhs rebs did dat-'y Why
him vote in the Souths The speaker concluded By
saying that he hoped there would bs peace and unity
During his remarks the speaker was occasionally in-
terruped BY questions from his colored hearers
the most ridiculous, but others Of very pertinent
Mr. MARsADuKs JOHNSON next came forward and ad.
dressed the audience his coored brethren OF the city
OF Richmond He born In the nursery, rocked In
the cradle and raised 10 the shadow Of slavery He
taught through his childhood to be polite 10 the colored
people, and he had any other experience bat that
OF politeness from them He came to speak to them in
. temper Of kindness and sincerity. They were now
free people, The constitution Of the United States.
cordng TO the Sherman BILL gave them the privilege to
vote Having been slaves before, and comparatively
nA 4.
lie affairs There are some who would say he de-
grading himself in doing but when he canvassed for
the sea he was called . traitor when he saw all
around him impoverished aud despondng he saw nothing
10 aDa
Associations kindred and all are there Then why should
you not labor TO preserve ~ He would not ca himself
liberties q his - state he ' socrea least
intended by the radicals why does Mr. Hunnicutt ihcir
representative ge. an organization al over this state TO
man2 Why do itf Many voices-"For Union for
peace, 'For republican goyernment = aud many inco.
hesv essl % sns white Do You want s
TO stay fighting here iorcver' voice.-"So, no,n
s ao s seys .us saw the sss
brought Il No. We want peace Tor Cordial ira'ernza-
ton between them and let each pan have his .own
with him2 tcries-"W We wi-'se viii, ~ and loud ap
plnusel E
for brief period and was listened 10 with profound
attention.
The last speaker, Mr. srURprvASr, created usTnen-e
applause and merrmcnt by bis ecathln denunciation
or the mean whites in the audience, from whom, be
said he had closely watched the Interruptions cmnat
ing during the proceedings The New England preach
ers that came down among them 10 relieve them OF
their spare cents. came in for heavy snare OF re-
proaches
The Immense audience dispersed late this evening
with much enthu siasm and good feeling
SntlTL TAD ~ sAA