The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-03-08

NEGROEs-HU MAKES SPEECH
AND PROPOSES A PROGRAMME FOR THE 'L0Y
ALIsTs.-A "grand ratification meeting"
for the purpose of ratifying" the Sher-
man bill was held by the negroes last eve
ming at the African church. The immedi-
ate occasion for the meeting was the arri-
val of Hunnicutt, who reached the city
yesterday afternoon.
The church was crowded to its utmost,
there being from three to four thousand
inside, and about five hundred on the out
side of the church striving in vain to gain
Armed negro troopers dangled
their swords noisily in among the crowd
on the outside, and were posted in different
portions of the house to preserve order.
1t was with great difficulty that we could
gain entrance, and when we did get
in, Hunnicutt had progressed considerably
in his speech, consequently we know but
little of the first portion of it. When We
first applied for admission, stating our
business, it was refused us, but ere long
sable trooper poked his head out of the
door and exclaimed els dar any porter
out dar?" A cullud gentleman near by
darted eagerly forward, saying: eyes,
sir !; here is Pse porter for de Exchange,
and / don't think dar is any other porter
out here" At last we got in, and if the
reader could only have seen our position
while taking notes for this article, he
would swear against ever being re-
porter.
Wardwell was in prominent position
on the stage, and we learned was chair
man of the meeting. Around him were
Martin Lipscomb, John Viles, Jr., W. III.
Sutherland, II. L. Wigand, DR.. Frayser,
- Morrissey, and others whose names
we could not learn. Hunnicutt was speak
ing.
He said the present "rebel" Legisla-
ture had, not month ago, rejected the
constitutional amendment, and that now
they were suddenly in favor of calling
convention to conform with the provisions
of the Sherman bill, and that he knew that
they did not wish to accede to this from a
sense of right, but because they wanted to
keep "l-o-y-al" men out of power. He
spoke of Governor Peirpoint as having sold
the "loyal" men of the State, and said
that he had denounced President Johnson
shortly after his accession to power, and
his opinion had since changed. "By
the Eternal" said he, 81 would rather
vote for Governor Wise this night than for
this double-faced Union n-Secessionist."
The negro had long waited for this day,
and the white man had but little idea that
it was so near at hand two months ago.
He went on to recite the facts of the passage
of the Sherman bill over the veto, and added,
"Eyen old Reverdy Johnson voted for it,
He was present at the Alexandria elec.
ton. and saw that the negroes knew well
enough who to vote for. And at the next
election you'll know who to vote for, wont
youp [Crowd.-" Yes! yes! dat we
will."l "You wont vote for Joe Mayo fol
Mayo again, will your" [Vociferous yell.
of "No no dat we wont. He ain,
gwine never be Mayor agin!"l Yes, my
fellow citizens, then you will know the
men who were afraid to take the Neio Nd-
tion the men who were afraid to NEE,
loyal men in their meetings; the men
who were not afraid to call at the Neu
Nation office, etc. The men who were
afraid to stand by me in the storm l vii
denounce and those who did stand Dy
me / intend to advocate and support witt
my pen. [Cheers and cries OF "Dat''
right"l
The speaker then went on to give MI
plans for action. intend" !" said he, II
hold convention. First, there will be
primary meeting Of Union men, black and
white. The colored men are to be ad
mitted upon an equality with the white
men, and will cooperate with them if the.
are loyal. There will be no factions.
pledge myself to be governed by the ma
iority of votes as to what course shal
pursue, and you know what Hunnicutt say
he generally stands up to. [Cries of " Dat
sol"l l shall ignore everything the LIE
gislature does. Let the Legislature call ,
convention, and I'll follow on. If they d
not do what is right l will complain :
Congress. They will without Q doubt ca
q convention, and will elect men to rule
ont. will wager that there will not Q
ten loyal men In it. Voice IN tn
crowd.5"No, dere won't be nary one.
Great laughter.I Well report this"
He then went on to say that TINS pr
mary meeting would be held in May, an
would be sort of an advisory meeting,
which all the cities, towns, and counti'
| In the State would be represented. IN
4 meeting would devise plan by which Il
J Is loyal " men In the State could act
. harmony, The delegates could tAsu