The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-07-09
GREAT REPUBLICAN MASS MEETING
In THE CITY OF RALEIGH!
More than five thousand Republicans
assembled to celebrate the Fourth
Of July!!
ELOQUENT SPEECHES AND GREAT
ENTHUSIASTIC!
Congress appealed to to abolish the
Rebel State Organization !! !!

Rebel State Organization !! =!
Large numbers of people had assembled
in this City at an early hour Oh the day OF
National Independence.
The Star Spangled Banner was seen noa'-
ing in many public places, and every thing
gave evidence that at the appointed hour
there would be grand demonstration.
In the grove south of the State Executive
Mansion. a stand had been erected, and also
tables for dinner and other conveniences for
the large audience expected on the occasion.
The morning was sultry, anil cloudy, and
towards evening occasional thunder gusts
swept over, sprinkling the people copiously
but not dispensing them.
About ten o'clock the following Societies
of the colorcd people formed column IN
front of the African NJ. E. Church: Benevo-
lent Society, Union Brothers, True Ameri-
cans, Equal Rights League and Union
Brothers from Forestville, and from Auburn.
Then came concourse of colored citizens,
who formed in the rear of the column.
A band of music led the procession.
We also observed delegation from Frank
lin county of the Equal Rights League.
The following were the Marshals in COM
mand, mounted, decorated with sashes and
bearing batons: c. NJ. U. B., in command
John Jones; G. NJ, Chaplin Haywood; Ass
Marshals, Robt Crossan, Alexander Turner,
Ned. Lane, and John Days
The column began to move about half
past ten, down Hilsboro' St., then up Sails
bury to Edenton, Wilmington, Morgan and
Fayetteville Streets.
When the procession entered Main street
it presented a magnificent appearance
Marching four deep, three feet apart, with
banners flying at the head of every society,
cheering the National flag wherever suspen-
ded, and followed by thousands on both
sidewalks, it moved forward with great
enthusiasm and in perfect order. The col
umn extended nearly the entire length of
Fayetteville ST., which was filled with all
classes of the people. There could not have
been less than six thousand present at this
time
We observed that the True Americans were
dressed in uniform. This is a society of
this City. Their blue jackets, white pants
and jaunty caps gave them distinguished
appearance.
Shortly after the main procession had
passed, the Union Sisters, who had formed
at the Baptist Church, followed. They were
neatly attired in white dresses, blue trimmed
aprons, and bonnets also trimmed with blue.
They were assisted in their efforts during the
day, in spreading comestibles upon the long
and well filled table, and in other duties, by
the American Relief Society of colored ladies.
John Cook had charge of all the tables.
When the procession arrived at the stand
the societies marched round it and opening
the column, formed two lines facing inwards,
thus opening spacious avenue down which
the Orator of the day, Rev. Geo. W. Pepper,
and other invited guests were conducted to
seats upon the platform.
The audience then closed in, and the meet
ing was organized.
Onmotion of Gov. Holden, C. L. Harris,
Esq, was nominated for President, Messrs
Handy Lockhart and Moses Patterson,
(col) for Vice Presidents, and D. A. Wicker
and s. A. Busbee, (col.) for Secretaries, and
they were unanimously chosen.
Rev. Geo: W. Brodie then delivered an
eloquent and appropriate prayer.
The Declaration of independence was read
by Jos. w. Holden, Esq, when
The Chairman introduced Rev. Geo. W.
Pepper, Chaplain of the 10th Regiment who
delivered the following eloquent and i'm
pressive Grafton:
MY CoUNTRYMEN This is indeed bril-
liant and beautiful scene-this is propi-
tious and consecrated day. The Summer sun
In its journey to the west looks on no more
sight, on no grander spectacle
Why assemble here in the shadow of these
stately oaks, gallant men and fair women
the hope and struggle, the glory and the Joy
OF life? Should stranger viewing this
grand assemblage ask, why is all this enthu-
siasm? Why these splendid banners floating
in the breeze? We would tell him that the
loyal masses of North Carolina were met to
celebrate the most august event which ever
constituted an epoch in the political annals
of mankind not to celebrate the birth day
of despot-but the birth day of a great
nation. No thunder of cannon, no roll of
drums, no blare of trumpets, no empty pa
geant of regal grandeur, summons us hither.
How simple, how sacred, how sublime is the
occasion of our meeting. The impressive
prayer that the God of our fathers would be
with us-the public reading of the great
charter, the Declaration of Independence,
which has given a radiant Immortality to
the day--the enthusiasm of this vast multi
tude, the inspiring strains of patriotic music,
the presence of gallant men and women
all these delightful surroundings combine
to clothe this anniversary with grace and
splendor.
All over the earth to-day, over the
North and over the South, on mountains and
on plains, among the poor and the rich, the
natives of Columbia and the friends of nib
erty hang out their banners-the stars and
stripes-hold high festival and renew their
recollections of the land of WASHINGTON,
now made doubly dear and sacred to them.
because it is the resting place of the great
and good ABRAHAM LINCOLN. Good man
he now sleeps in the grandeur of eternal
peace. Honor to his beautiful memory
Americans every where at this hour are ccle-
hrof he roor %