The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-04-22
MIR. WILSON REJOINS
on THE DEFENSIvE--PoLAND BEING NAMED
HE TAKES WATER INCONTlNENTLY.
The Whole Concluded by n Negro Speech.
ORANGE COURTHOUSE, VA, April %, 1867.

ORANGE COURTHOUSE, VA, Aprll ~, lSb'.
This quiet. ld-fashioned village, which is
rarely disturbed by a greater event than
court" or Il travelling circus, was to-day
crowded by people, attracted by The announce
mrut Of an entertainment OF Tar different
nature. Two weeks ago notice was given
through the papers. and by other means more
likely 10 convey the information 10 the colored
people that the Hon Henry Wilson, United
States Senator from Massachusetts, would
commence his canvass of the southern States
hy an address 10 the "citlZems OF Orange
county Considerable surprise has been eX-
pressed that the distinguished Radical should
nave chosen this retired town as u starting
point. and our reporter was At some pains 10
discover the wherefore. II seems that IL was
ny invitation of 4 northern man who has re-
Gently purchased the fine house and estate OF
Colonel John Willis, situated near the court
house. and who has recently declared his in
louIiou 10 become a c!tlZcn OF NlrElula. Mr..
Bond has III conversation with some OF the
leading men of the county, iutlmatcd the
purpose OF the Radicals to lnaugurate move
meut for the formation of new conserNa-
tive" party in Virginia and throughout the
whole South. The original Union men ana
old wings are expected TO unit" IN the move
meut, and lis hoped, with the assistance OF
the negro vote 10 sweep the country. with
- view IL has been limited that as soon rs
nucleus il formed, 4 new daily VIII be started
in Richmond. which shall he the Acknowledged
organ of the Wilson party. Bond, with vii.
son, rather favored the plan OF procuring the
influence of 4 journal already established, ana
stated 10 our iuformants tall men OF the high
est reSpcctahllltyl that the editors OF the
ILig mad been. or would be, approached upon
the subject. I'VE can safely promise that the
WIN viii not sell itself TO the Radlcals.-ED.
DIS.l
several we'll known citizens of Orange were
invited TO dine with Senator Wilson At the
house Of Bond, but we are not informed that
any accepted the invitation.
Mr.. Wilson arrived on the train from Alex
audra, and although there We're large mum
Der of negroes 1T the depot ana OF others alN-
ious to see the celebrated Radical, he stepped
from the platform Of the car and made his way
TO the carriage without meeting with any de
mons tratiUns OF welcome. de was immedl,
atpIN driven. III company with TWO lnltcd
States officers, 10 the house OF Bond, where
fine dinner was prepared in his homer.
In the mean time the negroes of both sexes
began 10 throng the streets and gather III 'front.'
Of the courthouse building, while quite u
number of the StaId farmers OF Orange ana
many villagers collected. ready TO hear with
uupreludiced ears the address OF one who has
been acknowledged rs leading exponent oi
northern ideas 1t was several hours before
the speaker came, and much amusement was
created BY the cXtempOre address OF one Lu-
cas-, (negro,) delegate 10 the late kadlcal
Convention, who, being fresh from Hunni-
cults teachings, desired 10 enllShten ms con
stituents upon their rights and privileges.
Some of the negroes discussed the great ques-
ton of 4 voters duty with their former mas
tcrS and We Were much amused DN some OF
their ideas One aged darkcy believed that they
were called upon 10 elect President! quite
| 4 number thought they We're cpmpetLtd 10 at
tend, under the penalty OF fine.
AT half-past three O'Clock the party of
northeruers arrived, and having ascended the
steps OF the courthouse, MAYOR j. ii. Lee,
State Senator from Orange, introduced Sena.
tor Wilson i'll few brief remarks. lie stid
that although in many very important polhts
he most heartily differed from the gentleman
who was toe day TO address them, yet ne oe-
sired 10 introduce him 10 his friends VINO We're
present with an earnest hope that they would
give him their profound and undivided atteh-
ton lie trusted and believed that many good
words would be spoken, and was sure that
whatever NAV be the sentiments OF the as
riupuishrd gentleman, he would speak from
these steps in county-seat OF southern
State with as much freedom ana absence OF
estraint as in Faneuil Hail, Boston. Major
Lee further stated that he was the first man
in Virginia 10 address the colored men OF the
State after the surrender OF General Lee,
and, as upon that occasion, he would now
counsel his colOred friends 10 be sober, ihuus-
trlous and endeayor 10 inform themselves
upon all subjects which they may hereafter De
called upou TO decide The colored race are
now eniranchsed; this right Is universally
Acknowledged, and we wish them 10 exercise
IL without fear, favor, or affection. lh' this
| point II white rowdy interrupted the speakei Ne !
| by "A call for Wilson, and the former look the
occasion TO administer just rebuke 10 the
| mean men of another color who are coh'ihu-
| ally advising negroes 10 dlsSraceiui ae's,
| which, OF their own accord, they would never
commit Resuming, Major Lee stated that
| he believed Senator Wilson TO be sincere
| man, with the good Of the country at hearl
and, introducing him. bespoke for him the
| attentive ears OF the citizens OF Orange.
| SENATOR WILSON'S ADDRESS.
| Fellow citizens OF Nirgiuia-In compliance
/ with a pressing request from some of your
| own citizens, ! am here 10 speak upon public
| affairs 10 day permit me, therefore in the be-
| ginning, 10 say lnat intend 10 speak as am
| sure you must wish, frankly and fearlessly.
| have no disguises, but for thirty one years
| have been an unqualified friend of freedom
| and an unGaunted enemy Of human slavery
| have never given 4 yo.e without first con
| siderinp how IL would ar1ect the question OF
| slavery in America. l learned these princi.
| nIes from the founders of our Government
| and The trainers of the Constitution, mer
| whom Virginia Is proud 10 own, and among
| ,,hn,u none was greater than James Madison
| whose home was in the county OF orange. III
| was onposed TO the extension OF slavery npoi
| ,his continent and believed III TO De one OF Tn
| ,r..test curses of our sin stricken eartn. III
| S.cIared that imbeciIity is always dependen
| nnon a land filed with slaves. ana these Word
| siIino . nrou my ears in early manhood, ma '
| aI,,.Ss bern n firm believer III Their lruli
| ,ne.t;ny every effort 10 extend the power ah'
| ;.,0n.np. of the STAKEHOLDER with an eihllhati
1of Those who established the hoei ,i.s
| America who waded through hie 'iiu UNI, Dioo "
for the principles of the Revolution oi 20, ~
,,j 4 49,. N. institution OF slavery shouil