The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-05-16

FORTRESS MONROE, May 14.-A large and
enthusiastic Republican meeting was held in
Hampton last night, at which over 1000
colored people, and many of the principal
residents Of the town, were present, and re-
ceived the addresses of both white and colored
speakers with cheers and applause. The
meeting was organized by the selection of DR..
X. R. Craig, white, Chairman, and E. w. Hill,
colOred, Secretary.
The Rev. Mr. Henson, Pastor of the Catha-
rne Street Church, Norfolk, opened the meet
ing by religious and philosophical discourse
upon the slave question, the degraded condi-
tion in which it has left the negroes of the
South, and showing the great Importance of
moral and mental improvement as a means of
lifting them up to the position of freemen.
He gave some excellent advice to his colored
hearers, and was frequently interrupted with
loud and boisterOus expressions OF approval
Mr.. Charles H. Porter, of Norfolk, followed
him in long and able speech, in which he
advocated the principles of the Republican
party, as containing the only acceptable truths
by which the colored men of the State could
ever hope to redeem themselves from the con-
dition in which they now are, and advised an
answering support from the people of Hamp-
ton, to assist in carrying the State by large
Republican majority. He felt no fear for the
colored voters-he knew that they were well
aware who were their friends and their enc
mics, and he desired that they should put this
dividing line between the two when they came
to the election polls.
He spoke of the Convention held in Rich
mond by the Union Republican party, and re-
garded the platform there adopted, and which
has been unqualifedly approved by Senator
Wilson and other leading Republicans, to be
that upon which all the colored voters could
unite and fight for the protection of their rights
conferred upon them by the Reconstruction
H. ii Sc,
which had been created in Richmond between
the whites and blacks, and congratulated the
colored people of Hampton and the peninsula
upon their uniform good behavior, and the dis
position they had always exhibited of obeying
the laws and preventing all kinds of dis
turbances.
Mr.. Porter continued at great length, and
the utmost interest was manifested in his re-
marks.
Numerous other speakers addressed the
meeting, in humorous and instructive man
ner, and after taking up the collection, the
audience dispersed about midnight, amidst
loud cheers for the Republican party.
Hampton, where this meeting occurred, is a
growing little village of much importance,
and with the same rate Of increasing wealth
and prosperity which has marked its progress
during the last four years, ensuing years will
place it in no inconsiderable position in this
vicinity The influx of Northern merchants
and business men since it was destroyed by
General Magruder, with the assistance
Of the colored people and the return
ing old residents, have built it up
again; and now the main street is thronged
with stores and houses of trade, which do an
extensive traffic with all the surrounding
country and negro villages. Several of the old
prominent lawyers and doctors who went with
the Rebel army have returned, and are now
engaged in a very remunerative practice. The
regenerating hand of Northern men is evident
all through the little villages, and during the
coming season the shipments of produce from
the farms by commission houses, already esta-
lished will give it considerably more trade and
reputation.
A Republican organization has been inaugu-
rated; and it was under the auspices of its
members that the mass meeting was held last
evening. The contest for Congressional honors
in the district, when the campaigning time
arrives, promises to assume very lively pro-
portions, and the candidate of the Republican
party, for which there are already several as
pirants will have but little difficulty in obtain
ing an endless number of colered constituents
! TO represent in the councils at Washington,