The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-12-04

correspondence OF tho Richmond Dispatch.
Great Meeting in Norfolk-Forma'ioh y, "
white Mans Party-Spccch of Governor
Vance.
NORFOLK, December 3, 1867.

NORFOLK, DcCClllDtl lCU's
Last night will be night long remem-
bered in Norfolk. The deep gloom which
so long hung over our communlty-a gloom
which has caused the spirits of the white
man to droop-a gloom which has been ielt
in every hamlet, and town, and city, and
State of the South-was shaken OH IN our
CITY by an enthusiastic meeting OF our
citizens. and resulted in the formation OF
q strong and active white mans party.
A call was issued during the day stating
that Ex-Governor Vance, of North Caro-
lima. had consented to address the citizens
at the courthouse at halEpast 6 O'CLOCK.
Long before that hour the hall was packed.
A spirit for q long time unknown to our
people seemed to animate them-a spirit
Caucasian in it's nature, which made the
breast throb and the heart beat-a spirit,
which showed that our people were
aroused, and that they wished to SEND
forth to their sister cities the glad an
neuncement that Norfolk had stepped into
line and was prepared to do her duty.
At the appointed hour Governor Vance
was introduced to the vast multitude by
G. W. Newton, ESQ, in graceful man
ner. The Governor was received by en-
thusiastic applause, and his speech was
able. suting the occasion, and replete in
eloouence and truth. The loud cheers
which greeted the speaker testified to the
deep feeling of the populace. Their
pent-up feelings gave vent at the reclta-
ton of their grievances and wrongs, and
the vast crowd surged to and fro in accord
with the eloquent remarks of the speaker.
Governor Vance stated, in commencement,
that great issues were at stake, startling
in their nature and momentous in their
importance. The great political party
which rules the country wished the people
of the South to give their consent to mea-
sures dSgraceful to their honor, aud lgno-
mny to the manhood Of its people. 1t
could not do it. He was willing to grant
to the negro the privileges which the North
had granted them, and nothing more.
Were we to grant them more, we would
be prostitute to all feelings of manhood,
and deteSted and scorned By the civiliza-
ton of the age. What would be the result
of negro suffrage and negro rule The
property holders of the country would have
to bear all the burthen, and all the power
would be invested in the hands OF those
who had nothing to lose-in the hands OF
q race ignorant and savage, and governed
and ruled by white men mcaner in spirit
and more degraded in spirit than the ne
groes. Capital will take its flight from the
land, and the credit of the States of the
South would be worthless. Should this
power be invested in the hands OF this
party. terrible administration would be
the conscauence-the fellow whipped to-
day for thieving would sit in the jury-box
to morrow.
The South is almost ruined now, but
should negro supremacy rule, she Is ruined
forever. Our great staple, cotton, is dead !;
its cultivation to-day is not worth the cost
of its production. Four years of war and
three years of an onorous and wrongful
tax has served to make it valucless. Con-
fscation, by the supremacy OF this power,
is threatened. This expression might be
laughed at, but it was literally true. But
q greater danger than COniiScatlon was to
be dreaded, and that was the rule OF white
men meaner and more desplcable than
negroes. whose only interest was power
whose only virtue was plumber. lie was
not afraid of the negro he happlest days
of his life was spent among them, and he
could never forget their Kindness and con-
stapcy during the war. They would soon
learn who were their true friends, and lind
out the miserable character of those who
now led and used them.
With universal suffrage constitutions
liberty is dead in this country. When that Is
accomplished the demagogue will rule, his
friends will be protected, and his enemies
will be denied all rights. Toprcvent all these
dread results the only relief Of the South
was in thorough organization the band
ing together of al the white men Ill the
southern States for the protection OF their
rights. We cannot be blamed for this; 1t
has been forced upon us. In conclusion,
he made q most eloquent appeal to Flr-
gnians. They had no idea what Influence
their State had upon its southern sisters.
They had followed her in her acts from the
Revolution. Virginia has been our guide.
Cardinals sons have followed Virgnla's III
every field of battle-in the red glare Of the
tempestuous fight. Firginia's SOIL is red with
the noblest blood Of the South. We have
followed her and looked up TO her in those
big hours. We look upon her now and If
she fails, 0 Lord God what shall We say 7
He could not believe that the white race
the race of Milton and Shakspeare-would
be subducd in the land Of Washington,
Jefferson, and Henry. Let Virginia or
ganize, and victory was in her hands. She
would be followed by her sister States, and
the great triumph of the white race would
extend all over the country.
At the conclusion of his speech the Co
vernon was greeted with rapturouS cheers,
and the meeting, after adopting the plat
form of the Constitutional Union Club,
adjourned. TALLY.
QUE PETERSBURG LETTER.