The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-04-16
LOCAL MATTERS.
GREAT MEETING ATTHE THEATRE
Immense Concourse of White and
Colored Citizens.
ADDRESSES BY PROMINENT MEN OF
RICHMOND.

Last night, according to appointment,
large meeting of colored citizens assemble,
at the Theatre to hear addresses from
Messrs. William III. mcfarland, X. 7
Daniel, and Marmsduke johnson. Tn,
second, third, and fourth tiers were chief,
occupied by white persons, while ther,
was sprinkling of them in the parquet
which was almost wholly occupied b,
Colored persons, who were also in con
siderable numbers in the circles. The ap
pcarance of SO many whites was unfor
tunate, as it excluded many colored per
sons, who crowded the doors but could no
gain admission. Indeed, both races were
In immense numbers, unable to en-
ter the crowded house.
There were present on the stage beside.
the speakers and reporters for the press
the Rev. DR.. Woodbridge, Rev. DR.. Bur
rows, and Rev. Mr.. Stringfellow, Mr.
Evans, (city delegate and many othel
citizens. The stage was, indeed, occupied
from near the foot-lights to the rear. The
scene was altogether unprecedented il
this city or any other in this country
Such large meeting of the two race!
beneath the same roof was never seeI
before.
At a short time after o'clock the meet
ing was called to order by Solon johnson
chairman Of the colored committee, whc
advanced towards the front of the stage
and introduced TO the audience r. I
Daniel, Esq. In doing SO he said he
took pleasure in introducing his friend
at his side. He wished it understood that
in calling this meeting the committee had
TO party purposes in view. 1t was not tc
crticiSe what had already been said but
only to give the other side of the question
" Allow me to introduce TO you Mr.. Ra
leigh I. Daniel"
REMARKS OF Mr.. DANIEL.
Mr.. Daniel advanced toward the front
part of the stage, aud addressing the au.
dicucc, "My friends" proceeded to thank
them cordially for the invitation kindly
expressed TO come together with them to
consult and advise with them i'll their new
situation, in which, without any agency OF
the white people, they had been placed
They had not intruded their sentiments,
nor sought to dictate what should be
done. They waited an invitation.
They had not busted themselves in
forming secret societies or secret de-
signs against any one, white or colored,
but had awaited for an invitation from the
colored people to advise with them upon
their situation. He promised frankly and
disintcrcStedly to eXpound to them ouI
mutual duties one toward another. We
had always treated them with justice
kindness, and consideration and We
were now ready to extend to them all the
rights lately given them, and as far as they
IN .lyiSa tbnpn how n a yprsiSp II
After some illusions TO the necessary op.
position that must exist towards him in
consequence of the part he had borne as a
public officer, he said he would counsel
them freely and unadvisedly. They
desired TO know their and our duties. 1t
seemed plain enough what they were. II
the two races had to live under the same
government and under the same laws,
their interests were common, and they
should entertain harmonious feeling to-
ward one another. The one had need OF
the services of the other while the other
had need for the compensation that they
would freely extend to them. They would
guard them, also, in the possession OF what
property they might acquire. The ques
tion then, was, "Shall we have peace ol
war ?" [Cries of" "Peace Peace always" !"
Peace would bring good fellowship anc
happiness. Hatred was the counsel OF the
Devil, and could never bring happiness.
In regard to their political duties, they
had before them AZ great and unparalleled
task. They stood as no people ever be
fore stood. They had been suddenly and
violently thrown into position for which
they were not prepared, and they might
well and properly ask what they were
to do. As they would carry watch
to an honest, skilful jeweler to be re-
paired, so should they come TO the men
who had the best report for honesty and
ability for advice. They should not vote
for man because he was the colored
mems candidate, or against him because
he was the white mems candidate, but be-
cause he was fitted for the place, no mat
ter whose candidate lie be.
The plain truth was not difficult to un-
derstand, nor its practice but too often
we knew the right and would the wrong
pursue. The tempter and difficulty
maker in their way would be the dema-
gogue. White demagogues had suddenly
been seized with great love for the colored
man, and told him he must hate his neigh.
Dor and look to him as his protector. We
had had dcmagogues through all time. Ii
would be recollected that among the great
and sacred society which formed our holy
religion there was one unworthy one, who
for gain became traitor and ever since
that time the world had been cursed will
these bad men. There was no appeal too
mean or too dangerous for the demagogut
10 make. He would say to the coloret
people, and doubtless had said, that th'
white people were their enemies becaus'
they had held them enslaved, and woult
have done so through all time bad 1t no
been for him and his party. Upon thi
subject the speaker referred TO th'
beginning Of the slave trade, WIZ
carried il on, and who stopped 1t
He spoke of the manner in which th'
Yankees had emancipated their slaves by
selling them off TO the southern people
They boastcd TO the colorcd people OF theil
great generosity in freeing them, and ye
how much did it cost themS Whose
prosperity had been destroyed in theil
emancipation What would be the be
hayior Of the Yankee people had they beer
required TO give i've dollars per head tt
free the slaves at the South. They never
would have gotten their freedom. 1t hac
been said that slavery was a great sin and
he would say 10 his hearers that their for