The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-04-11
{. RIG mEET1N,n IN PETERSBURG.

On Monday evening last there was great gath
ering of freedmen at Poplar Lawn, Petersburg,
Va. There we're very few whites present, except
the 'spolice and the press After singing, prayer.
and national air by the band, says the reporter OF
the Richmond Examiner, who was present, 1t was
announced that the letter Of JOHN MINOR Boris,
stating his reasons for non-attendance, would be
read.
The important communication was blundered
through by Mr.. BATES, o white teacher IN one OF
the colored schools, behind whom stood or1gGt aa
pher hard words, and show him how to 40 the 3
thing properly. He made a very poor read" OF
it even when thus assisted.
It was rainfully evident that the schoolmaster,
however much he might be at home among ms, ms
associates, was abroad in his reading OF Bolts
chirography. ,...o
his colored friends. The substance OF 1t Is o
warning not to vote with the Democrats ana lato
Rebels, but with the great National KepuDncan
party. OF the greater part OF the letter Is
photographed, egotisn being JOHN MINOR
special weakness.
The Rev. HuNNIcuTT made the first speech,
quite long one,-the yeriest twadd!e tuat can %
conceived Why the Examiner should have PRINT
ed it, paying so cents per 1000 ems, we cannos see,
unless it be that they thonght the printing OF tie
Reverend's speech was the best antidote that
could be administered to any possible poison IL
may contain. ~.
George W. Fayernan, colored man, made the
next speech, quite radical and bitter. he was lol-
lowed by Captain J. Fl. PLATT, late U. $. A. tie
explained to the freedmen the duties incident ~
their new relations, urged the Importance ol
registration, and then said:
Ten years ago tue man who would have prcolcp-
| ed what has come to pass-that those VINO were
! then slaves would now be voters-would have
been held as q madman. 1t afforded him great
pleasure to say that all classes fully recognized
the nexorable logic of events and were willing TO
abide the issue. They ought not to ask Congress
to do any more for them but ST. i've for ther o%n WI
salvation now and correct all grievances at tne
ballot box. All tears, he thought, that they would
attempt to do it in any other way were eroundiess'
Their votes we're all powerful for their protectlon
and they could afford to bo magnanimous.
| You want no confscation and While you 90
want more of the land your former masters own
you only want what you can buy and pay fer, ano
sufficient protection in the enjoyment OF you
property. You want public schools, and your Leg
islature to provide for them, and make education
as free as air free to the poor mans child as te
and equal taxation laid to pay for it. You want
no more legislation for the exclusive benefit OF
landed arisfocracy. and which makes the worklng 6
men foo5 the bills. No more legislation Whlcf
! makes appropriations to one or two universities
and makes no provision whatever for the common
schools. No more tax bills which make the poo
man pay as much tor his cart and dray as the r1cl
| man for his plantation. No more such taxation 81
has made the cities Of Virginia pay almost me en-
in the Rip Van Winkle assemblage which was DIS
grace to civilization and to the noble old State:
There were several other colored speakers after
4 wards,