The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-04-16

Il
their enemy or their friend' [Cries OF
Friend."l Then he gave them the right.
hand of fellowship. iSome one in the
crowd inquired: "Are you Republi.
canS"l
In replying, Mr.. Johnson stated that he
| had from the banks of the Roanoke, the
| Appomattox, the James. the Shenandoah
and the Potomac, to the heights of Gettys'
burg, barred his breast for the redemption
Of Virginia and her restoration to liberty
and security. When General Lee surren-
dered he came back home to dedicate his
talents and his influence to her restoration
to the Union with her freedom and her
rights. He would now take this Sherman
bill in good faith. He was for carrying il
into execution in good faith. Was not
that all that could be asked If so, why
was Mr.. Hunnicutt getting up an organi-
zation the object of which was to divide
the whites and blacksi Voices denied
that Hunnicutt was doing this. Mr.. John
son continued. What is he doing What is
his object but to make whites and blacks
enemies?
Does not the Sherman bill give equality
| Then why encourage the effort to get up
animosity between the white and black
races? We ask you, said he, to cooperate
with us, to work with us. Will you not
do it9 (Yoices We will l''l How.will il
be when the military authority is with
drawn If there be division now, what
peace are We to hope for when the mill.
tary rule no longer maintains order!
When say, said Mr.. j., we are in favor
of according to you all the privileges OF
the Sherman bill, what more do you want
Are we still to be dividedP is there, after
all this, to be war When this war OF
races comes you will bring it on. Voices
"We amt going to do it'll Is it possible
you can conceive that you are advancing
your own interests by rejecting the olive
branch rendered by the intelligent white
people of the country! Can it be wise or
prudent that you should make an organi-
zation hostile to the white population not
withstanding their peaceful and harmo-
nious overtures Mr.. j. was for peace,
and for cordial determination with the
colored people, and for white and black
living harmoniously together, each man
under his own vine and fig tree, and none
to make him afraid. Voices of approval
and loud applause.I
Mr.. johnson gave advice to the colored
people. They should be industrious,
should inform themselves, and educate
their children. Iftbey desired social ele-
vation, they should practice the virtues OF
probity, industry, and sobriety. They
should especially guard the character and
virtue of the female sex, and protect them
from that prostitution which had been toe
common and such a scandal to the race
Let your conversation, said he, be upright
and read the Holy Word of God in the
true gospel light. Looking to God and his
teaching as your guide, and working day
by day in the occupation suited to your
capacities, you must succeed in social as
we'll as political elevation, and we must
live together and be happy and united
| community.
Mr.. johnson required to the subject OF
division of races, and its bad conse-
auences. lie was at a loss to conceive how
any one could imagine any good could
come of having social war instead of peace.
We invite you, said he, to the terms OF
cancellation, Of harmony, and mutual
rights. viii you ratify them ,[cfies OF
"Yes."] Then discontinue yourorganiza-
;ions that are hostile to union, peace, and
concord live harmoniously and peacefully
with the whites you have known SO long,
and who are your best friends; preserve
peace and order, and insure your own COM
fort, prosperity, and happiness, as well as
| that of the community of which you are
component part.
MIR. johnson concluded by advising his
hearers to see that their daily walk and
conversation was in obedience to the Holy
Scripture and to that end to educate
| themselves and their children, that they
might not only be able to know the Al
mighty's work through the magnifcence OF
the mountains, the valleys, and the sea,
but to appreciate his Gospel as it is writ
ten by the holy evangelists; and then we
cannot only live together peacefully on
earth, but at the last day, when the last
trumpet shall sound to awake the dead tc
the resurrection morn of judgment; when
at that final roll-call from which there will
be no absentees-
ssWhen the trumpet's awful thunder
Spreading realms sepulchral under,
Bids all TO His throne in wonder -
when the great day of Gods wrath is
come, the awful and the fearful inquiry
will be, Who is able to stand And the
Almighty Judge, seated upon his great
| white throne, with the scales of universal
Justice in one hand and the sceptre OF
universal authority in the other, and all
| the vast and countless multitude will stand
| before Him conscious of~a peaceful and
dutiful life, their eyes will be bright with
promise, their hearts big with hope, their
souls, conscious of their own Immortality
rejoicing in the pleasing contemplation OF
the hopes Of Heaven,
Where the rivers of pleasure increasingly
And the smile of the Lord is 4 feast to the
soul
REMARKS OF MR.. MACFARLAND.
Mr.. Macfarland said You were pleased
to request that | would, with others, ad.
dress you on the issues Of the day. | had
no feeling against you which could raise
an objection to complying with your
wishes. My feelings towards you are, in.
deed, kind, just l hope, and full Of good
wishes for your progress and welfare ir
your new civil and political condition
Whether the change in your condition
| will be to your advantage or injury, tC
your elevation or decentralization, will de.
pend upon yourselves. Emancipation ha:
not been blessing invariably to those or
whom it has been bestowed either here ol
elsewhere. The fact stands prominently
out, alike when a curse or blessing, in the
history of your race, for your admonition
and learning. If you be moral, industri
Gus, and economical /; if you avail your
selves of every accessible source of reli
gious and literary instruction if you labor
with an energy which rises with every dis
couragement; if you honor the laws and