The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-04-16

CELEBRATION OF THE ANNIVERSARY OF
LISCoLS's DEATH-SPEECHEs, MUSIC, &C.-
| 1t was generally known over the city on
Yesterday that the colOred citizens Of Rich
mond would celebrate by mass meeting
the second anniversary of the death OF
Abraham Lincoln.
Long before the hour appointed for the
commencement Of the ceremonies, large
numbers of freedmen and freedwomen
were seen going in the direction of How
ards Grove, where the meeting was to be
held. 1t was estimated before the adjourn
ment of the meeting that there were not
less than 1000 negroes present.
Aswe approached the ground, tho So
lemn tolling of the chapel bell gave warn
ing of the occasion, and caused a sad pail
to fall over those who had met to CONNIE
morate the man and the day. The large
flag used at this post hung at half-mast,
the arch over the entrance gate to the
chapel was decorated with cedar, and over
the sides of the centre building, where the
speaking was to be, the United States flag,
draped in mourning, hung in graceful folds.
Immediately in rearof the speakers stand
was an oval frame with the inscription
"To live in hearts we leave behind is not
to die"
The pause between the speeches was
filed up with songs, the music of which
was very well executed, and done by
scholars from the various schools in the
city. The services were introduced by the
song, "Lncoln is our friend" and 4 prayer
by Rev. Scott Gwathmey, (colored,) pas
tor at Chimborazo and teacher Of the
high school located at that place. After
another song" God is near thee DIR.
Brauer, the physician at Howard's Grove,
introduced the Rev. r. NJ. Manly, for
merly president of the Methodist Female
College of New Hampshire, now superin-
tendent Of public instruction in Virginia,
who spoke about thirty minutes. He
commenced by stating the object Of the
meeting to be to review the character OF
Mr.. Lincoln, and from it to draw line OF
duty for us in the present time. He paid
tribute to the deceased, recounting all
the principal incidents in his life, from his
birth to his death, saying that he had ira,
yelled no royal road to knowledge; that
industry and virtue were the steps by
which he had risen to power and greatness
He was not more capable than others
but was more Trustworthy. He alway:
made the most of himself, and seized upor
every opportunity of doing good to others
| This was the foundation of his greatness.
He climbed that Hill alone. His own un-
aided efforts raised him up. We may not
achieve his greatness, but If we do as ne
did, if we initiate his virtues, We toe
shall rise to the stature Of the greatnes;
that God has given US. When he wa:
elected President, the only aim and object
of the loyal people was to stop the spread
of slayery-that blot and stain upon our
national honor but as the war progressed
il was determined to abolish the institu
ton entirely, and Mr.. Lincoln, in the full
filment of this intention, rested his cause
upon the principles of eternal truth. H'
was loyal to the spirit if not to the lettel
of the law, and while he may sometime
have seemed to overstep the barriers o
the law, all must remember that his OBJ
iect was to save the Union and the Con
stitution. If we would honor him, we mus
practice the virtues that he did. Mr.
Manly then alluded to the price at whicl
freedom had been given to the slave:
closing with an appeal to all to practic
the precepts Of the religion which the
possessed saying that it was possible, unde
its benign influence, for one to love wher
hate once existed, and that when this ha
. been accomplished, profound peace woul
, once more reign over our entire country
O'Harrison, (colored,) was intr.
; duced, and remarked that he scarcel
knew what to say on such an occasion
the presept-that il was next in his min
to the cruciixion Of the Saviour in in
| portance. He said that he had been raise
: and brought up among this people, an
| that he loved them. His mother had tol
him to behave himself TO every one !; tn
. Il was his desire to live peaceably with Il
Q white people. They don't hate you. Go
If their churches and you will hear the
) pray for all men, even their enemies. Y