The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-08-16
A Black and Belligerent Controversy at
the Cooper Institute Last Night.
SAUNDERS AND GARNET
The Colorsd Champions Of the Presidential
Candidates and Their Wordy War. y.
A TURBULENT AND NOISY ASSEMBLY.
Grant and Garnet Enthusiastically
Endorsed by the African Citi-o
zens of New York.

Endorsed by the African Citi-o
zens of New York.
One Of the most extraordinary meetings ever wit
messed In any city was held in the Cooper Institute
last night. Four thousand c0lored people gathered
together, Notwithstanding the intense heat OF the
night to listen to a discussion between the Rev.
Henry Highland Garnet OF this city, and w. w.
Saunders, OF Baltimore, Nd, both c0lored,
upon the relative merits and services OF o. a
Grant and Horace Greeley. The debate has been
much talked OF and long considered, but after
sundry disappOntments and much correspondence
the preminares were finally arranged. Cooper
Institute was engaged the expenses were guaran-
teed, and the colorcd orators were AFFORDED an Op-
portunity of taking the matter out, much to the
satisfaction OF the negroes in particular and the
public generally.
Saunders who, when the task ne has undertaken
to convince a half civilized people may be called
the leader of the forlorn hope espoused the causc
OF Greeley, and Mr.. Garnet the distinguished pas
tor Of Shiloh Presbyterian church, had the much
more congenal task Of presenting the claims Of
General Grant, to an audience who were In entire
sympathy with him and his principles.
Long before the time announced for the opening
OF the meeting the great hall Of the Cooper lnst-
tute was crowded with such an audience as its
walls have rarely contained. The great majority
OF the audience was col0red, but good spYinklng
of white men were also present; some
attracted by curiosity and others who
came for the purpose OF causing as much
mischief as possible. Thirty-hrst street sent
large delegation Of Its most aristocratic habftes
South Fifth avenue had an overpowering delega-
ton present. and the classic precincts Of Sullivan
ON Off ioh ouu knn tho
African, knew him not last night. The bellies
present presented dazzling array Of beauty, dress
and fashion, the ladies' with admirable taste, gen.
orally attring themselves In spotless white, which
formed striking contrast to the glossy blackness
Of their compilations. r
On the platform might be seen an array Of intel
ect, responsibility and wealth, which was perfectly
overpowering, comprising statesmen clergymen,
merchants and scholars. The distinguished colorcd
men on the platform comprised Messrs L. w.
Titus, G. W. Francis, DR.. NcDonagh Il. v. q.
Eaton, c. D. Francis, G. w. Myers, Or. f. b. Ring,
8. Scottron, Joseph Da Costa, Comp washington, Fl.
Montgomery J. J. Firermann Alexander Powell,
w. J. Widgeons, Peter S. Porter and many others.
When eight O'Clock came 1t was evident that the
audience entirely one-sided and that the liberal
orator had not the slightest chance of getting fair
hearing the feelings OF the negroes being evidently
the influences which have been brought to bear
upon them since the discussion was announced to
come OF, the narrow minds OF the great majority
present being evidently unable to comprehend
what an or derby debate meant.
Punctually to the hour the coOred gladiatOrs
came upon the platform, amid enthusiastic cheer.
ing for the Rev. Henry Highland Garnet On the
motion OF the Rev. w. Butler the chair was taken
by Mr.. j. Yulle, cashier Of the Freemasons Bank,
bullet-headed nd,ro, who presided over the meet
ing with all the impartiality 1t possible to ex
ercse in an audience which acted ike q gathering
Mr.. Hatton, colleague Of Saunders was sp-
read-whether the ascendency of the liberal repub-
lican party and the election OF Horace Greeley or
the reelection OF General Grant, would be most
conducive to the welfare OF the country
and the proper administration Of Justice, with,
Chairman announced the terms Of the discussion'
an hour for Saunders In opening, an hour and 3
half for Garnet in reply, and half an hour to saun-
The rising Of Saunders to make the opening ad.
dress was the signal OF burst OF hootng and yell
and the impression that a spectator
would carry away from the gathering
would be that the Internal regions had anoosed
counterpart ola place which is generally nameess.
When Saunders, who is a handsome mulatto, with
ing. address had got as far as "Ladies
and gentlemen" tremendous uprOar was
heard In one corner Of the han, and Immediately
afterwards about one hundred eolored restaurant
walters entered with two United States nags and
large banner, bearing the INSCRIPTION, Grant and
outbreak OF fcndsh Yelling, at the close OF which
Saunders was with great difficulty allowed to pro-
tn f 's m a. h ssmSaGct n{ Ss G
opening sentences were pithy and to the point and
he conrasted the characters OF Grant and Greeley,
to the decided disadvantage OF the former At the
men ton OF Creeley's name a cheer was raised by
his supporters, which was instantly drowned in the
uproarious howls OF the Grant negroes. The
dience showed neither discrimination, fair play nor
Judgment kissing every sentence Saunders uttered,
no matter what Its pnrpoit might be. Captain
preserve order, but the colored rowdes took no
heed OF the action and one hideous looking rufian
struck policeman for simple remonstrance.
Saunders went on to show what the past record OF
Greeley had been, and how in conjunction with
Sumner-Qerrihc groans for Sumner) he had borne
when 1t was crime to be an abotionlst. Cheers
for Greeley counter cheers for Grant, cat calls and
waving II ~ the ladies and s By
the eoored men and his deocrati csg record
would have nothing against Grant, and any
statements made concerning him were received
rOoG o wnts Se a
ceeded in securing for him partial hearing, but
the wild blood Of the Africans was aroused and
hitherto been preserved. orG
According to the terms previously arranged the
opening speaker was 10 be allowed an hour but
more than half that time was consumed in wanton
and uncaled-for interruptions. As an instance OF
the discernment displayed the following will suffice:
saunders IN the course Of his speech alluded to the
TACT which might be apparent to all, that
God freed the slaves, but this sentiment In com
mon with everything else uttered was cordially
Kissed. Had Saunders been Demosthenes he could
not have born up against such torrent OF opposl-
tion and before the close OF his hour he was yibly
exhausted. II was only by an extraordinary exer-
else Of lungs that lie could make the closing SEN
fences OF his arst address audible to the reporters
anu ne resumed his seat amid applause from the
Few friends ne had in the hail. and Babel OF shouts
him.
Rev: Mr.. Garnett a fuli.nedged African, whose
blood Is uncontaminated with any white mixture,
and who has the reputation Of being one OF the
ablest men In the city, rose to reply, and was
greeted with enthusiastic cheering, clapping OF
hands hand, and waving Of handkerchief, which