The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-01-02

ANNIVERSARY OF EMANClPATI0N-NE-
GRO PARADE IN HONOR OF THE DAY.-The
negro societies of Richmond turned out in
r-.-s- :, ~uvoi day, With urum and hte, ban
nerS, sabres, and tinselled rcgalia, to cele-
brate the fourth anniversary of the eman-
cipation of their race.
We were surprised to see each man in
one company carrying swords, notwlth-
standing the order of General Schofeld
which prohibits the parading Of bodies OF
armed men.
After marching through the principal
streets, the procession was turned toward
the Capitol Square, followed by a large
crowd of negro men, women, and children.
Hating in front Of the Gubernatoria
mansion, the negroes called loudly fo1
Governor Pcirpoint, who made his appear
ance without much hesitation.
Mr.. Peirpoint said the call was entirely
unexpected, and took him by surprise
But he could not but express his sympa,
thies with them and with the incentives
which prompted them to celebrate this
the natal day of their virtual release from
thraldom and of their independence. -Four
years ago the proclamation which made
them free was promulgated by that great
and pure man, Abraham Lincoln and
there was no power on earth to alter the
force of that edict and deprive them oi
the boon then granted hence it did
not appear strange that they should
rejoice upon this great occasion as
so important in their history. After re.
terring to the rights they had acquired un-
der the proclamation, he concluded by
saying that he hoped with all his heart
that both the black man and the white
man might continue in the enjoyment of
their liberties through honesty and in
dustry, virtue and patriotism; that they
would endeavor to educate and enlighten
themselves, and learn the duties they
owed to themselves, their families, their
country, and their God. But above all he
would enforce upon those before him that
the only honest way of getting livelihood
was by learning their bread by the sweat
of their brows." This sentiment was loudly
cheered, and after thanking his audience
for their attention and for the compliment
paid him, retired, followed by cheers.
George Rye (secretary of the Conven-
tion) being called for, came forward and
said : "I am no speaker, and cannot there
fore make you speech. l cannot only
endorse what the Governor has said SC
well, and add-educate yourselves and
your cbildren-get money, and make
yourselves respectable. [Applause.]
Rev. Mr.. Mitchell.( chaplain of the Con-
vention) was next called upon, and
coming forward, said he was no po.
litician, but throughout the war he
had stood by those who sustained
the great cause which had given them
their freedom. Governor Peirpoint had
won bis respect because he was the only
Governor in the. southern States who had
stood faithful to the Union and to Abra
ham Lincoln. He had proved faithful tc
the end. And now as they had seen hin
to-day hailing with pleasure tho words O
the nation, and sympathisipg and rejoicing
with them, he simply asked that they
would stand by and sustain the Governor
in all his trying difficulties. [Cheers, ant
we will.
After the speaking the negroes quietly
dispersed, either going to their homes, OF
strutting about the streets in their gorge
Gus uniforms.