Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-03-16
BLACK REPUBLICAN, MEETING.
[RFpORTrD For THE GAZErTE.

Tue regular weekly gathering VI ~ 0''
publican Association" vas neid al Lyceun
Hall last night, but. t ne Attendance was so slim
and the proceedings, save little episode, 50
very unentertaining that tuiI report ~"'iId ne
"stale, fat and Improbable.
Prior TO the Organization oGr "l her h'it-
tanic Maiesty's subjects, just slightly IA r'"o,
entertained the assembled few in an unvarnlshed
style, with his views and opinions in reference
to the Association, and its aims and otjec's:
especially in its bearings upon the ccorcd peo-
pie, and in language more pointed than elegant
denounced the white leaders for their selfish
course. Having concluded his remarks, the
''suhject" adjourned, and the Association met
The absence of the ring leaders, y the great
falling off in the attendance, especially OF the
colored element. while the number Of specta-
tors was larger than on any previous occasion,
seemed to incense the very few white members,
and render them particularly irascible so much
so that it is not recollected that more than one
agreeable expression Was made Use Of towards
friend Or foe during the entire evening.
As usual, the spectators at these weekly so
cial gatherings" occupied small space in the
Hall, very near the South door, and as the
temperature inside, as we'll as out, was not
the most agreeable, sJme Of them unconscious
ly kept their hats ou and one or two continued
to smoke their eli CARS, IA practice not at all un-
common in public gatherings, and forthwith,
and without i word Of warning Immediately
upon the meeting being called to order, up
popped one Of the white members (the whites
always make the motions, and the blacks vote
invariably aye, and moved the appointment Of
committee to wait On the spectators, order
them to take off their hats put ont their CT
gar*, and take scas-for, said the mover, this
is -espectablc meeting, and should be re-
spccted -
The Chair very properly remarked that the
spectators were gentlemen, and intended no dis
respect, and suggested that i gcntccl reminder
was all that was necessary; he therefore dec!l-
ned to entertain the motion, whereupon the
spectators, with one accord, DOTTED their hats,
put out their cigars, and although the benches
were by no means clean, yet all took seats and
thus Was the cause for an unnecessary display
Of spleen removed.
And now for the only episode, the only loci
dent that occurred to enliven the dull monO!ony
of the evenings entertainment.
Just as soon as the spectators and their hats
and cigars were disposed of, (nolhing was said
about chewing and flooding the floor with TO-
bacco juice, up Jumped another white member,
and moved that the name of one Of the brcth-
rem, who had just entered, be stricken from The
list of members 'for disorderly and disgraccful
conduct on the street, and for using abusive
language against Mr.. Judge Underwood.
The member thus uncercmoniously assaulted
rose, and, with Indignation stamped in every
feature Of his face, seconded the resolution, on
the ground that he or ANY other man who
could SO digracc himself as to be member Of
this Association deserved not only to have his
name stricken from the list, but should be kick
ed out Of the Hail. "When, said the indig
nant member, I Joined this Association,
supposed I was joining Union Association,
but, sir, I fnd it di$union, a disorganiZing,
and disturbing Association, which should not
only be kicked out of the Hail. but out Of the
city
The Chair said that these proceedings we're
all ont of order, and declined to entertain the
motion, apd the excitement Incident to the
scene at once subsidized, and cause No. for
irascibility was obviated.
1t was then gravely announced that the funds
we're short, upon which announcement sundry
Of the colored element smelling rat VA
moosed, and it was not seen that any fuuus
we're paid in. Sundry names for admission 8
members (among which were many very iamll-
lar, but possessed by parties entire strangers,J
were handed in and accepted, but upon an in
timation that an initiation fee was requisite, it
was stated that they would pay when conTe'
nient!
The thing was getting unbearably Dull, and
a motion to adjourn was on the eve OF being
put when somebody proposed that somebody
else should make speech, aod so there were
two speeches, one white and one colored, ncith-
er Of which contained anything rich, racy, or
rare, or at ali worthy Of notice. The usual
amount of clap-trap, about "shuckeIs knocked
off " Equality" Freedom" Fundamental
principles of A american institutions" &c: &c,
was INDUCED in, and then the meeting adjourn
ed until the lst Of April, Inappropriate time, }
or sooner il deemed necessary, upon cali OF Il
comuittee of three
aey- RELIGIOUS NOTICE Rev. ". \. Harris,
\. NJ, an able and distinguished Minister OF the