The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-03-26

REPUBLICANS in COUNCIL.
GREAT MEETING AT AFRICAN CHURCH.
speeches by Hon. Charles Porter, Judge BoI.
ing Col Pophani, Rush Burgess, Lewis
.t Lindsey and Others.
RESOLUTIONS ENDORSING MIR. PORTER


The church was packed to its utmost ca
paclty, IN spite OF the rain, with earnest
Republicans representing all parts of the
| city.
On motion, Rev. Vim. Troy was called
to the chair, and Col. I. H. Shields selected
to act as secretary. After which the chair
man. in appropriate remarks, regretted
the necessary absence of Hon. John
+. Lewis, on account of sickness.
and then introduced to the assembled
thousands the Hon. Charles II. Porter.
who spoke with great energy and power
for nearly two hours. He gave a general
review of the political stuation-national
and state and recited the causes of the
Republican defeats, as he understood them.
The great difficulty was, he thought, that
the people were not allowed to control,
ana that Their wishes were not regarded by
the leaders of the party and those who
placed them In power. Corruption exist.
ed not only in the Democratic ranks, but
In the sacred precincts of Republicanism
also. The people must be allowed to set
these matters right.
AS to the situation in Virginia, be said it
was claimed that the State went Democratic
last year by 10000 majority. He didn't
believe it. On the contrary, the enumber of
Republicans had increased every day for
the last three years.. In 1869 it was not
safe to canvass as a Republican; in 1870 it
was not only safe, but pleasant in ls7Iit
was very pleasant. Why was it, then,
that the figures showed a defeat of the
party? 1t was because the Democrats had
control of the ballot-boxes, and because
those ballot-boxes were stuffed. He could
not prove it, but this was his opinion.
Next time Gn the falD the election will be
national, and the laws of Congress can be
enforced as they could not be before. A
fairchance is all that is necessary to insure
success.
Reviewing the course of General Grants
Administration, he claimed great deal for
it, and said that among other good things
which Congress has yet in store for the
people he might name making the tax on
tobacco uniform. This would have been
done before but for the opposition of DEM
ocratic members. lie was glad to see by
the morning papers that one who had been
prominent in opposition had now sue
cumbed. It was the first time a Demo-
cratic Congressman had visited Virginia
and gone back with something good in his
head.
There had been much improvement, but
much yet remains to be done. Colored
men had been admitted to the street cars,
but they were still excluded from the Jury
box. This must be so no longer. There
is remedy, and he would tell them what
it is. No court in this State has a right to
try colored man if he or his counsel OBJ
ject on the ground that he cannot get es-
tice. He can demand to be tried by the
United States Court. This must be done
hereafter. Let not another colored man be
tried by the State courts unless men of his
race are placed on the juries. If necessary
there should be combination to effect this
object. The ministers and deacons of the
churches must see that the rights of people
in this regard are respected. Let the re-
form commence at the next term of the
Hastings court. The matter must be agi-
tated until liberty, justice, and equality,
are the order of the day. 80
Mr.. Porter was listened to with the most
earnest attention throughout, and frequent
ly interrupted by boisterous applause. He
seemed quite hoarse from his labors in
New Hampshire, where he spoke for two
weeks with great success.
Judge Boiling and Col. Popham followed
in brief and stirring speeches. The follow
;n,x rosoI,t;o,,. ,,,a,.o a., ;,,.uoa.asJ IL
MS i1ooi.,'ohs "eio -tiei ihtrouuceu anu
read Dy the secretary:
WHEREAS. in the faithful performance of his
duty as the Ranreseniatiya IN Eongrass Of IF tho |
opnressed and o,,tra ged laval psonia of tbe suth
Hon. Charles III. Porter has presented in Con,
press n hill No j lo4l for tba remoyaI Of c;ru
and criminal causas from STATE 10 Ifnitad Stataa
courts and for the commencement of cnuses in |
the latter where Justice and the constitutionai
rights Of eiizens are fenied mr. neeac1ad ON c.
count of color or prejudice and -
WHEREAS, it is an indisputable faet that n Re- |
publican cannot obtain iustice ot The hands of |
the Judges and uries of Virginia.. selected ms thew
are for their extreme hostility and yindictiye |
hatred of Republicans. black Or white there. |
lore, ,.o, be it c. -.
in mass meeting e peUple ~ 81
earnestly pray and beseech the Congress of the
United United % States %topass the biz introduced by Mr.
maintain the rights t and iberes Of The peope
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