Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-04-09

! immense SroW1--AppoRntmeut OF
Delegates 30 the April Convention
Speeches, etc, etc.
Pursuant to previouseall, the colore6 peo-
pie Of Gallatin and Summer county met at
the courthouse in that place on Saturday
night. The large hall was densely packed
every available space being occupied. A
number Of the leading white men of the
place were also present by special invita-
ton. When the time arrived to proceed
to business Dock Blythe (colored) rose and
stated that it was desired by the colored
people that Hon. Bailie Peyton should
preside over the meetiag. Having signifed
his willingness, the motion was put and
carried unanimously. Judge Barry was
made Vice President, and Col. Boyers and
several other citizens chosen as Secretaries.
After the organization the negroes re-
quested Mr.. Peyton TO give them his views
upon the questions before them. He COM
piled in frank, plain, AID simple speech,
in which he stated the rights of the negro
under the law-the differences between the
parties that would appeal TO them for their
votes-and explained the identity of inter
ests in POLITICAL affairs and good govern"
ment of both races. This speech had
very marked impression, and was listened
to with eager attention.
Col Turner was theu called upon, and
responded in a clear and forcible speech of
greater length. He stated that he had
been in the Confederate army, and ex
planned how the war was brought about
showed that it was not designed by the
IL l. ~ 10 hrino ahnfff he
emancipation Of the negroes, by quotations
from the records of Congress, and from the
declarations of Mr. Lincoln and Mr..
Seward. The Confederate5 fought for
separate government, and on failure, sub
mitted like honest men to their fate. They
had no hostility to the negro, and have
never had. Col. T. then explained the
community Of interests between the two
races, by a series of plain and common
place illustrations-sueh as the produc-
ton, preparation and sale Of bale of
cotton, barrel of corn or a bushel of
wheat His speech was received with
eager interest.
Caleb Peyton, eolored, formerly a slave
of Hon. Bailie Peyton,) was then called |
out He is venerable old man, of keen
observation and sound sense. He presented |
his views in quite an impressive manner,
making many foreible hits and illnstra- |
tons His expressions were mild and re- |
spectful. He did not depreciate the favors |
that had been done his race by the Yam 1
KEGS; they had made exertions to give us
schools; they had treated us kindly, and |
he had been ivited by some of them to go |
to their houses and visit their homes; but |
heir homes were a thousand miles away,
and it was inconyenient for him to pay such |
visits. The Southern whites and blacks
live together here in the South. They ale |
mutually dependent on each other-one
possessed the lands and the other the |
strength to till them. 1t was wrong for
them TO fall out with each other, and his
judgment was clear that we had all better
act together. He was satisfied the Conserva-
tive white men would stand by the negro,
and he was not going to part company with |
them until ne saw some good reason for
it, His speech was received with great
satisfaction by his auditors.
Peyton was followed by Columbus John
son, colored, who very frankly referred to
the services which the Northern people |
had rendered his race, and the obligations
of gratitude to them for it. He spoke of
the wiekedness of rebellion, and thought |
the colored people should not act hastily. |
He was not fully satisfied as to what would |
be best, but was willing to unite with his |
people in any course they might think best |
for their own and the public good.
Emanuel McCauley, eolOred, better |
known as Fox, followed, in very perth |
nent speech, in which he espoused the Con-
servative position.
A speech was also made by R. NJ. Ell |
liot, Esq, of Gallatin.
A committee of colored men then re-
ported list of delegates to the Conserva-
tive State convention, who were appointed. |
The meeting was eminently orderly, and |
nothing occurred in the slightest degree TO |
mar its harmony or defeat its objects. No
effort was made to hector or brow-beat on
any hand-Dut it was a calm deliberation
on most important questions, and passed
of most happily.