The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-09-06
Grand Radical Pow -fvoa al tg,c African
Church,

:
Grand Radical PoH-Yvow af tssc African
Church, ~
Pursuant to call heralded Yesterday eve
ming bva wagon containing band and ntl-
merous placirds thereon. which taraded our
streets, there was grand Radaaf ratification
meeting held at the African Church last night.
Previous to the opening of the; meeting. in
accordance with the usual custom, whether
at religious or political mblages, the audi
enee lndulged in various songs. opening with
the Year of Jubilee has Come"
The meeting was called to order by the
election of General Williams C. Wickham rs
chairman and John Oliver secretary. General
Hlckllam addressed the meeting at some
length, and paid high tribute to General
Grant for his masterly management of the
affairs of the Government, equalled only il,
the days of Washington and Hamilton. The
speaker paid his lett-handed compliments to
the Liberal candidate, Horace Greeley, and
characterized him us the Dolly Warden can
didate. No Republican in this State will
vote for Horace Greeley; many Democrats
will not vote for him, and those who do nos
vii! cast a vote for Grant. The only difference
between the two candidates Is that one made
the laws while the other executed them in
his official capacity.
The General concluded his remarks with Il
call upon General Wise to address the meet
ing. Loud calls for Wise.] The ex-Go-
vernon was not present, however good Joke
on Wise), and Governor Wells took the
stand, and in obedience to loud calls pro-
ceeded 10 address the meeting, and said that
one Of the Richmond papers said some time
.lfr tnI H. Il.
ers are modest set and never cxagserate)
that political documents were scattered du-
ring our religious meetings, and commented
severely thereon. Politics are proper SUBJ
jiect for your prayers and religion, and you
ought not to separate them. They are init
matey connected. Mr.. Greeley was well
Warden hat, and an old white Dolly Warden
coat. The speaker told several jokes at Mr..
Greeley's expense, which created considcra-
bic merrment.
The Ex-Governor was very ficetious and
lnduged in several anecdotes. He defended
General Grants administration, and said
that the only men who deserted General
Grant were those who were turned out of
office. The speaker paid his compliments
to Senators Seturz and Sumner, and said as
former would not cease to be heard in de-
fence Of Horace Greeley. In regard to the
latter, let us drop a tear over him. as we
would over the grave of any old friend He
cautioned his hearers against reading or even
touching the New York Tribune, the organ
of the Liberal candidates. He tiIen cheered
his audience with prophesies of great gains
in the coming national election. and called
oil fn pty e., 4 4
Wilson, which was heartily responded to.
| was a candidate, said the speaker, for
nomination for Congress from this district.
but | Withdrew "a Voice" Good ~ in or
der to unite the whole party OH one man.
He called OH all his friends to support his
late rival, Mr.. }. Amber Smith, for Con-
gress. He paid his respects in some face
tious remarks to the Greeley clubs OF this
city. He concluded with three cheers for j.
Amber Smith, the nominee for Congress.
Mr. Rush Burgess next OCCUPIED the stand.
and called OIL all true Republicans 10 stand
firm, and not let Horace Greeley, the father
of secession, obtain the reinS of government
in his hands.
Mr. John II. Smith (colored), of Washing
ton city, then took the stand, and said TINT
he had taken the advice of Horato to Ham.
let, and committed his thoughts to paper,
from which lie read a lengthy Grafton writ
ten strongly in the interest of Mr.. j. Amber
Smith. The speaker is Il we'll educated man.
having graduated at the Howard University
in Washington, and showed his appreciation
Of and familiarity with the Bard of Avon,
from whose writings he made cOpious and
appropriate extracts. His address was far
above the comprehension of the majority of
his hearers. One OF the new ideas advanced
wls that the Government should pay the
negroes for past labor, as fhc country had
been built up through their instrumentality.
His speech was characterized by Il fairness
and intelligence seldom manifested in this
bitter campaign. ii was entirely free from
that vitupclalivc invective usual from the
Radical stump, and reflected great credit OH
the intelligence and education Of the speaker.
He paid IL high tribute to Senator Summer,
and called OH the negroes not TO condemn
him too severely nor forget his past services.
He (the speake) was the author of the letter
to Senator Sumner asking llis advice to the
colored race which produced that famous
reply. Don't condemn him too halshly, but
don't cote with him now. He urged his a,!-
dience TO stand up for their inalenable rights
in the full conscience of justice and right to
all men.
The meeting was in full blast when our
reporter left at Il late hour. Colonel Ayre,
of Norfolk, was then addressing the large
crowd. He was to be followed by several
nf hpr snoaLars'