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

Of the community they would represent,
and who are not unequal to. the effort oi
presenting its inst claims. would say
that YOU could not do better than follow
the example of the citizens of the white
race whom you have long known, and
whose moderation, fairness, and good sense
YOU have been accustomed to respect. Oh
this I am sure, that it is not safe to yield
to the solicitation Of strangers, or to the
clamorous Importantly of anv. We have
all a like interest in the administration OF
State, national, and city affairs, and at this
iuncture It is desirable that we act to-
gether.
The families in which you have lived
and which you have served, are the best
repositories of your confidence. AS one
who has stood in that relation to some OF
YOU, let me say that no unkindness has
succeeded to the rupture of ancient rela-
tions, but that kindness and good will sur
yiye and continue. The South must be
your home and the home of your former
masters they need your labor, and you
need not less to be countenanced and en-
ployedr by them, and it is to the advantage
of each to be in the interchange of recl-
procal kindness.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Macfarland's
speech there were cries for "Sturdlvant :
and others; but chiefly for Sturdivant.'
Solon Johnson, thanking the audience
for the attention paid to the speakers, re-
marked that calls were made for a speaker
not in the programme; but hoped that if
Colonel Sturdivant was present he would
come forward and comply with the wishes
of the audience.
Colonel Sturdivant complying, remarked
that the first person he ever spoke to after
he was born was colored. He remembered
his own mother, and his attachment to her
was most devoted. Mr.. Sturdivant then
went on to speak in plain, direct man
ner, being frequently interrupted, which
| Interruptions he treated with the best hu-
NOR, seeming rather to court than rebuff
them. He expressed the opinion that the
interruptions of the evening came from
mean white men, not from the colored peo-
pie. All knew who mean white men
were. He alluded to the term "negro
as generic-as much so as that of Dutch
man" or Irishman," or "Scotchman."
It was no more insulting to say "negro y
than to say Dutchman," or " 1rishman,
or Scotchman," and the man who said
it was was both a fool and liar.
Mr.. S., referring to the vice of pros
titution, was interrupted by an inquiry as
to who caused it? He replied that it was
the New England preacher who got shot
for going after other mems wives.
He asked his auditors who they dealt
with before the war? Who did you con-
sult9 Answer in the crowd" Gentle
men."l Yes, said Mr.. S., you did, and il
you wanted advice and aid now, who would
you go to; your neighbors or to strangers
Many voices.-"Our own people."l A
negro man arose and declared that he had
been aided by Captain Cook. Yes, said
Mr.. Sturdivant, of the Frecdmen's Bureau.
That came out of the Government-you
and paid part Of it in taxes.
Mr.. Sturdivants speech was running
fire. Questions were piled thick and fast.
He seemed to be ready for all. lie de-
plored the poverty ofthe country-hopedf for
good crops to prevent Starvation-Sald that
the man who voted against the million ap-
preparation to relieve it was curse upon
Congress. He declared his attachment to
the negro race. He had been so long used
4 10 it he could not well live in a country
where it was not found. He preferred de-
cidcdly to vote with black man to voting
with some mean, dirty white men who
made such fuss about giving the negro a
vote.
Several questions were put about
equality. What about the colored man in
the iury.box, said one. / have no objec-
ton, said Mr.. S. What about his riding
in the strect-car! Ask the president OF
the company, said Mr.. S. He added, but
20 to New York and Philadelphia, and see
the black man put out of the street-car,
and see him sent to a separate car on all
railroads.
Mr.. S. advised the colored men against
being mislcd by the sinister, selfish, un-
scrupulous white men who desired only
their money and their votes, and cared no
thing further about them. They would
use them and take every cent they could
get, and then desert them. Some one
cried up Hunnicutt as one to be trusted.
Mr.. S. did not know Mr.. Hunnicutt, but
declared that if the letters he was daily
receiving from persons living where that
gentleman had formerly resided had any
truth in them, this Mr.. Hunnicutt was the
most bad smelling Hnnnicutt that ever
was. But he did not mean to abuse Hun
Icutt; he did not come for that purpose.
When he had anything to say of that gen.
tleman he desired to say it to his face.
[Applause, and that's gentleman ~
Mr.. S. said that there had been black
"rebels 1.-TWO fought gallantly by his
side in the war. A voice.-They ought
to be hung they wanted to die slaves
Mr.. Sturdivant.-They were free men
Laughter and applause.
In the course of Mr.. SIS speech he had
spoken of the "ice man."
Mr.. Wardwell wanted to know il he
was alluded to under this appellation
Mr.. Sturdivant.-A guilty conscience
needs no accuser. If the cap fits, Mr.
Wardwell can wear it.
Mr.. Wardwell.-It does fit, and would
like to reply. :,
Mr.. S. invited him to the stand, but il
was late, and some difficulty seeming to be
in the way, Mr.. S. offered to meet MIR. w
at the African church, and, paying hall
the expenses of the house, discuss the mat
ter at issue between them; which PROPOSE
tion was much applauded.
Mr.. S. had many assailants on all hands
but showed no little self-posSession and
adrotness in his replies, which foiled al
the arrows aimed at him. They came
chiefly from the white men, who have
taken upon themselves, with no little pre-
sumption touching the simplicity and ig
norance Of the colored people, the manage