Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1867-04-12
REoORsTRUcTIoN.

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contains longs and interesting account Of
q reconstruction meeting held in that city
on Monday last We present condensed
account, with some of the speeches.
The crowd attracted was immense. In
terspersed in the shining mass OF colored
faces we could distinguish the familiar faces
of many of our fellow citizens OF white
descent and exalted virtue who had lent
their presence to the reconstruction scheme
proposed In the call for the meeting. We
may safely put the number in attendance,
both white and colored, at seven thousand
persons.
The stage was occupied (besides the press
reporters) by the following gentlemen: Ex-
Governor johnson, United States District
Attorney Fitch, A. L. Harris, Charles Hop
kins, Colonel A. w. Stone, Colonel Wilson,
E. G. Wade, Esq, W. II. Stark, G. W.
WYlly, f. s. Hesseltine, DR.. Falligant, F.
Y. Clarke, DR.. Waring, Rev. Mr.. Campbell, |
Rev. Mr.. Sims, Prot. Porter, MIR. Thomas,
and some others whose names we did not
gather.
Afler stirring strains of music by the e fiji
cient band, the meeting was called TO order,
and Ex-Governor James johnson was NOM
mated President of the meeting, which was
unanimously confirmed Upon assuming
the chair, the President said, in substance,
that he understood the object of the assem-
bly, to be to interchange opinions, and TO
give expression to those opinions in refer
ence to certain acts passed by Congress,
looking TO the reconstruction Of the Southern
States He alluded to the various methods
to bring about this desirable result which
had been submitted to the people of the
United States and the Southern States par
tcularly since the close Of the war--first,
the reconstruction plan of President john
son, which was ignored by Congress as not
expressing the wish of the American people.
Second-The act Of Congress known as the
constitutional Amendment" bill, which
was understood to express the sentiments OF
large majority of the citizens of the United
States, which was vetoed by the President,
and passed over his head by Congress; and,
finally, the Sherman Military bill, and the
bill supplementary thereto, which had passed
the last Congress over the veto of President
Johnson. Under the first plan, which had
been acqulesced In by the South, Provisional
Governors had been appointed in the rebel
llous States. The ordinance of secession
had been rescinded, and all the terms pro
posed had been complied with by the South
ern States. The President announced to the
Thirty-nlnth Congress that reconstruction
had been completed, Congress differed will
the Executive, and passed the second mea
a sure, known as the Constitutional Amend
ment, which was rejected by the Southern
States. They then passed the Military bill
10 and the bill supplemental which were ais
vetoed by the President, who thought tina
,t no further requirements should be insiste
" on from the South. Congress passed thes
TO bills over the head of the President, an
10 they are now the law of the land, and wi
~ continue to be, and enforced as such, unit
40 passed upon by the Supreme Court of th
In United States-that tribunal where all ma
ne tiers involving the conslitutionality OF legi
latiye enactments are cognizable and adjud
th cable. The South is now under militai
C. rule under the provisions of that act, and IL
oil only way of escaping from that rule is
lis adopting heartily and in good faith Il
as course prescribed in that bill.
en- The question which presents itself is tn
be "what shall we do in this emergency
Shall we fold our arms in supineness al
o'e non-action, or adopt some line of poll
10. looking 10 the restoration Of the State
Ike Georgia TO representation and the rights
'so States in the Union. Every considerati
of commercial, agricultural and social PR
Of perity requires that we should adopt
,ad plan proposed. He knew that there We
for provisions in the bills which were objectiC
able to the people of Georgia, but wise g
mi eminent demands that we do somethir
bile concede something and harmonic, look
res to that period when there would be no
TRY dons 10 ask no disabilities 10 remove,
odi- confscations to enforce.
All There were many considerations to rec
iu'l cile us to this course Of action. Alillioni
Gun, property have been lost, millions Of II
Sea' have been sacrificed, and it would be stran
'ncs passing strange, If great results did not
0n low. ALI nations and all peoples b
COL passed through similar trials in order to
'eV feet their greatness, and we could not exI
meet to pass through without similar seri
'he changes. But IL is of Him who Is wonde
'h in council and Wise in doing-the chang
tber go
'na' He would address few general RENT
to the colored people. You have been
hree franchsed by the acts of others In the
And ness of time, by the providence of
like through the fundamentally of war,
d the have been made forever free-Egypt
me been left behind, the Red Sea has been
her. but the desert is before you, and you
She have need Of the pillar of cloud by day
died the pillar of fire by night to guide you 81
hat through the clouds and darkness that
She upon the path. You must educate '
either selves to the responsible duties of YOU
have franchised position.
Let the anlmosities and calamities Of
Ing Of be now forgotten in the rejoicings OF p
uill acouit yourselves like men, and make a
grew name in the glorious history OF our con
lib all country.
debt Governor Johnsons speech was or
evtry with warm applause from the assen
morn crowd, the band playing "old Lang >
er the with fine effect.
,alaoe, 1t was next moved by Colonel Wilsol
% that a committee on resolutions, consistil
i'd the seven citizens, be appointed by the PREF
It what to prepare and report resolutions 70
action of the meeting Under the II
, T. A.. eo,,o,,,ins, gentlemen were appoint