The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-01-03


GOVERNOR WALKER ADDRESSES THEM.-
The colored people celebrated Saturday in
honor of their emancipation. The process
sion was rather smaller than usual, there
being hardly over two or three hundred in
it. The following societies we're repre-
sented: " Young Mems Hope Association" :"
I" Factory Association" Mechanics'," !"
" Factory Mechanics'," /" Transfers So
ciety," s Star of the East,'' g. Young Sons
Of Messiah" Young Religious Associa-
tion,' and {" United Sons Of Love- The
officers were in carriages.
After parading tie streets the Esocie-
ties proceeded to the Square. Lewis Lind
sey made the welcome speech. Lewis was
very much in bis glory, and offered series
of resolutions condemning Wells, Platt,
Bland, and others, as unreliable, and, in
the case of Bland, characterizing him as 9
disgrace to manhood The resolutions re-
commended the admission Of the State
under Whittemore's act (test-oath) !, and re-
turned thanks to Butler, Sumner, White
more, etc. These were unanimously adopt
cd. Next, series of resolutions submitted
by Wardwell were read. These were con-
demnatory of the State journal and Gillis
its editor as worthy Of the scorn and con-
tempt of all good Republicans, Colonel j.
W. jenkins as having no right to represent
the Republican party, Mayor Chahoon as
not having done as much for the Republi-
can party as his position would admit, and
of Platt as being geing generally non
compoS RepabIicanas.a 's2s7 ts.G;
These were met with appreciation at first,
but it was soon evident that there was some
discord in the ranks. Stephen Jones got
upon the steps and begged his hearers to
listen to reason, and not to be carried off by
any such foolish resolutions as these. He
was greeted by cries of "Git down dar !;
git down dar, you fool what you talkin'
bout ?" Stephen continued, however, de-
spite Interruptions, and made remark that
it was mo use throwing good bread among
dogs" Voice: I" Look here; does you mean
to say dat desc folks is dogs ?'' Another
voice: "No; but y'all acts like it.''
Finally the resolutions were returned to
Wardwell, and the Societies dispersed.
Lewis Lindsey again took the stand, but
the Societies expressed themselves as dis
gusted at the political turn the proceedings
had taken, and marched to the Governors
house.
The Societies, having reached the Cover
nor's mansion, formed in front of it, and
Governor Walker soon appeared. He had
just retired, being fatigued with the la
bors of the day, but hearing Of the pre-
sence of the colored people, he promptly
appeared, and addressed them as fellow
citizens" He said that he was glad to see
them on this day-on this day when some
time past certain rights had been granted
them. ..e ,;...--
His prayer to God was that they might
appreciate and enjoy these rights and fulfil
the destiny which had been appointed for
them.
Weary and exhausted from receiving his
visitors, he had retired but when it was
announced that the colored people, with
their Societies, had been so polite as to call
upon him, he could not refuse to appear
and return his thanks. They now stood
before him his peers, equal before the law
and in politics, endowed with the same
rights and privileges and he would appeal
to them to let their future actions fulfil
what had been hoped of them by those who
who had been instrumental in gaining for
them these rights. -
After continuing in this strain, and with
the most happy and appropriate remarks
for the occasion, the Governor retired amid
the cheers and loud applause of the as
sembly. @---
He was followed by General Imboden,
who made capital speech, which was we'll
received; after which, the Societies march
ed off.