The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-01-04
RADICAL MEETING LAST NIGHT
Speech of Senator Pomeroy.

About five hundred persons-a large
majority of whom were colored men and
women-were gathered last evening in the
First African church, responsive to call
for meeting to be addressed by Senator
Pomeroy, of Kansas. The church was not
crowded, but well filled, and the assem-
stratiye or enthusiastic.
A number of well-known Virginia Re-
publicans occupied the platform. Among
others we noticed Governor Peirpoint,
Judge Underwood, Hunnicutt, Hawxhurst,
and Mr.. Rye, secretary of the Constitu-
tional Convention. Immediately in front
of the platform were several northern
ladies and about fifty Radical members
of the Convention.
Senator Pomeroy was introduced at
half-past o'clock by Governor Peirpoint.
Mr.. Pomeroy, after q few preliminary
remarks, reviewed at some length the his
tory of our country since the slavery ques-
ton was first agitated, and compared Vir-
ginia and New York as representative
States of the two great sections of the
American Republic. Virginia. Frustrated,
fields waste or i'll cultivated, ignorance
prevailing, broken-down internal improve
ments, and, above all, cursed with her
slaves. New York, with her extensive
commerce, her mines, her hourishing
manufactures, her active, working people,
and her prosperous canals and railways.
Freedom had been the salvation Of New
York; slavery the destruction of Vir-
ginia. Now, since the incubus has been
removed, and freedom has been conferred
upon the colored man, nothing should
hinder the progress of Virginia. He
wished her now to take the lead, and come
up with New York, as in 1898, to speak for
freedom.
The speaker then alluded to his own
State (Kansas), where every man, OF
whatever nation or color, has right to
live and conduct his own affairs as SEEM
eth to him best. There, thank God, every
man can have homestead-l6O acres
which he can farm, and from which he may
reasonably expect to realize sum sutli-
cient to make him independent. These
homesteads were free to black as well as
to whites, and every colored citizen will
be cordially welcomed on the plains OF
Kansas. I'VE devoutly trust that they
will go there and be happy.-REPoRTER.I
He next alluded to the work before the
Convention now in session, and indicated
his views about the manner in which their
work should be conducted, and the proVl-
sions which should be incorporated into
the Constitution Of the State. The first
and most important step should be to con-
fer upon every male person over twenty
one years of age the right of suffrage for
ever. Hc could not think there would be
any hesitation about the propriety of this
measure for the colored men who have
once tasted of the privilege will scarcely re-
sign it without struggle. Secondly, he
would urge that generous system of pub
lie education be established. Hitherto igno-
rance has been too prevalent in the sunny
South; the school-house door has been
closed and locked colored men have been
held back lest they should outstrip others
in the race of life. Now there must be q
different order of things, and the property
of the State must he tared to educate til.
children of the State. Thirdly, he urged &
system of just and equal taxation, and
abolishment of any poll tax which may
exist.
In conclusion, Mr. Pomeroy paid trl
butte to the good conduct of the negroes
He had no doubt of their faithfulneSs or oI
their loyalty; and from such men there
was no fear of war of races, or of insur'
rection, or of disturbance Of any kind. He
believed that they would prove themselve:
worthy of the name Of frecmen.
After Mr.. Pomeroy had concluded, Go.
vernon Peirpoint was called for, and made
few remarks; but the audience dis,
persed by 9 o'clock.