The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-06-13
MASS MEETING AT THE AFRICAN
CHURCH.
Speeches by senator Wilson, Colonel
Noye., John Jay, Charles. w.
Ia 49,
stOvey, and Others.

and very small number of white mer
assembled last night in the African church
pursuant to call issued yesterday after
noon by the State Central Radical Com
mittee urging grand rally of loyal male!
and females to meet the northern delega
tion to which We have referred in another
column. The attendance was very light
but it is only just to say that the call ap
peared rather late in the day, otherwise
perhaps, there would have been larger
assemblage.
The meeting was called to order by
John Hawxhurst, of Alexandria; upon
whose nomination Governor Peirpoint was
called to the chair.
Governor Peirpoint, after stating that
the meeting was impromptu, and had beer
known to only few citizens, suggested
that Mr.. John Jay, of New York, be in
vited to address the meeting. Before the
latter could take the platform, however
some one proposed prayer which was
offered by Rev. Mr.. Mitchell, who fer.
vently asked that the estate be delivered
from oppression"; prayer in which we
heartily joined.
q Mr.. Jay began by congratulating the
audience upon the fact that differences
which had threatened to divide the party
had been settled, and that the great Re.
publican party of Virginia was now pre-.
pared to present an unbroken front. II
that division had concerned Virginia only
We should not have come here from
northern cities to interfere; but it con.
cerned the whole people, and they were
deeply interested in the result. He
urged that the Democratic party had base.
ly betrayed the people of the South
and attempted to prove it by the Ian.
guage Of the leaders of that party. Nc
charge Of duplicity could be brought
against the great national party of the
Union. They had ever been constant
and were always the advocates of unity,
progress, and the development Of internal
resources. He desired Virginians to con-
slider well, and was convinced that they
would be wise enough to cast their lot
with the party of the Union. He again
expressed his qualification at the Bolts
Hunnicutt coalition, and hoped there
would be no more division.
Mr.. Charles w. Stovey was next intro
duced, and spoke at more length but
somewhat in the same strain. He congratu-
lated himself that he, Yankee, citizen
of Boston, could speak here in the Afri-
can church of Richmond to those who
were once slaves, and that those slaves
and their high-blooded masters were now
counselling together upon the affairs Of the
nation. Though Yankee-born and with
Yankee principles, he said he had per-
feet right to stand here, and was as proud
Of Washington and Jefferson as if they
had been born upon Plymouth Rock.
Colonel George F. Noyes, " distinguish
ed in field and FORUM" next appeared, and
commenced very exalted harangue,
quite in contrast with the oratory of the
former speaker. This was the proudeSt
hour of his life he had never dreamed OF
such AN honor. Twice before he had es-
sayed to reach Richmond under the ban
ners of the Republic now he stood here
and gazed upon the faces Of black and
white loyalists with genuine admiration.
He desired to wipe out every vestige of
State rights, and to fling out the broad
banner of perfect equal rights in every re-
spect. Before he would give up this doctrine
he would 60 through another four years.
war, and sacrifice more treasure and more
blood. He would fight again, and, if ne
cessary, fight forever. He was not now in
favor of cOnfscation but rather than
abandon equal rights, he was in favor of
confscation, war-and ,cdr to the kntte.
Colonel Noyes spoke in a spread-eagle
style, giving utterance to the most radical
sentiments, and was frequently interrupt
ed by the most rapturous applause from
the colored portion of the audience.
Hon. Henry Wilson, of Massachusetts,,
was then called out, and spoke as follows
I have no time now, Mr.. Chairman, to
utter my sentiments at length, but can
only refer to the record left on trip from
Orange Courthouse to New Orleans, to
which every one can refer. l must, how
ever, congratulate you upon the absolute
certainty of the fact that the State of Vir-
ginia will be carried by an overwhelm-
ing vote for the great Republican
party. All doubt in the minds OF
men North and South are now re-
moved, and / wish the prediction
noted that the State will elect conven-
tion of uncompromising Radicals, change
the Constitution, conform it to the will OF
Congress, elect Republican Governor,
Legislature, and majority of the mem
bers of Congress. The Old Dominion in
this year Of our Lord 1867 will place her
self fairly and squarely by the side Of New
England, the Central States, and the great
Northwest, in the foremost rank Of the
army of freedom, equal rights, justice, and
humanity.
The Thirty-ninth Congress provided O
plan of reconstruction, and placed it in
the hands of the 100000 black men in the
rebel States. I knew that it was COM
mitted to brave hearts and true, which
beat in unison with their country. l knew
that the brave men had in times past
proved their devotion to the cause oi
truth, and even when oppressed had bided
their time, praying God for deliverance
from bondage, but without raising q
hand against their oppressors. / knew
that the 100000 were Gods children
and that instinct would teach them
how to cast their votes. Beside these,
loyal men who, through fire and blood,
had proved their devotion to Union and
liberty, and these, l know, would unite
with the enfranchised to speak for right
eousness and to aid the good work of re.
construction. On the 9th of April last
addressed the people Of Richmond, and
expressed my opinions when some doubted
its propriety. / confess that l left the
State with some misgivings, as | knew
there was division among you. A
few brave and good men spoke their
sentiments so freely and advocated
such ultra measures that even our own
men began to look on them with distrust
Now compromise has been effected, the
differences have been adjusted, and Vir'
ginia is safe. You are now united from
the seaside to the mountains, and viii