The New York herald., 1872-07-25
Orations from Africa and
Massachusetts,.
The Natick CObbIer on Liberty and
Repubiicanism.
FIVE THOUSAND NEGRO LISTENERS.
Ex-Governor 0rr'S Letter from South Carolina.
Grant and Greeley Republicans.
RICHMOND, Va, July "a, 1872.

colored voters seen assembled together as filed the
City Springs Park this afternoon to perfect jam.
IL was splendid place for such gathering as
the ground gently slopes towards a common centre
from all sides, forming q natural amphitheatre.
The stand situated at the centre point and
the surrounding hill sides were covered with
the thick mass OF human beings. Great prepara-
tions had been made in advance for this meeting
which was to be grand Grant and Wilson ratifica
tion demonstration, sort of starting point from
which to date the beginning OF tine canvass In
Virginia. The cOOred men from all the country
around had been pressed into service to swell the
ranks, and they were all present, their expenses
probably being betrayed out of the campaign fund.
All the prominent white republicans of the State
were also in attendance.
The meeting organized by appointing James
Fl. Clements Postmaster of Portsmouth, chairman,
and the proceedings were fully inaugurated by
music, band being present, which played the
national airs. The stand was handsomely
decorated with flags and banners, and
the colored people, having arrayed themselves
In their best ATTIRE everything assumed the appear
ance of grand holiday occasion. The stand was
filed with prominent white and cOlOred repub-
licans many of them visitors from abroad Among
those from the North were Senator Henry Wilson
and Mr.. Fred Douglass After the meeting had
been fully organized the presiding officer
INTRODUCED FRED DOUGLASS,
who delivered a very conservative and well tenn
pered speech which Is very highly spoken of by the
white people OF the city. The following is brief
synopsis Of his remarks. He commenced by brief
auson to the days of his life which were passed
in slavery, and claimed to be avrgnlan, at least by
descent, and Southerner by birth and preference
He never would have left the South but for q desire
in his as in every breast to enjoy the blessings OF
life, liberty and happiness. In response this in
stinct he had become runaway, and, as conse-
quence, had enlisted in lifelong fight for
freedom. He had been charged with lifelong hos
tillty to cherished institution of Virginia. and the
charge was true, for he was bitter op-
ponent OF slavery; but he claimed that
he had done nothing that any white man
cumstances: He had, In opposing sMvery, only
followed out the line Of conduct marked out by
They as Virgnians, and he as virginlan, were
lovers Of liberty. He rejoiced that he could now
few years ago it would not have been healthy for
FUGITIVE SLAVE
to nave M hG "a 70 enG hs ne was m
ut Sw saS hs SonS sDevx was
congratulated his felow-citizens OF Richmond,
especially those of his own COLOR upon their
the South in the days Of slavery would not suit her
at all now. The time was when education was
letters; he must nus s not be taught s to read; ;
It endangered the peace OF the community and the
Sose Is to all ppe as ali
colors and free general EDUCATION IS the hope Of
the Many " 1he
republican party Mr.. Douglass then referred to
the pending struggle between the great national
Horace Greeley (Cries Of ''Nevern 'Nary time,n
&c) If that was so he hoped and believed there
FEW INTELLIeENr coLoRED PEOPLE IN VIRGINIA.
lApplause.) He was not going to abuse Mr..
Greeley; he hOnOred and respected him as life
long champion OF liberty. He would like to vote for
Horace Greeley, but the difficulty was to know
had been many Horace Greeleys in his lifetime. He
would like to vote for him as an aboiionist, as a
editor but il he did vote for him how could ne tell
whether he was vOtigg for the founder OF the re-
publican party OF thirty years ago or for the head
and front Of the democratic party Of to-day ZAP
pause.)
because he was an uncertain man. He was neither
fish, flesh, fowl, even good bran bread GoOd.')
His election would be one OF the greatest evils that
could beis & the country no. Wnas we %H want Is
Grant. Applause) "a voice. "Three cheers for
Mr. DoUGLAss--Yes, you may stop just here as
well as anywhere, and give him three cheers, but
lift your hats every one Of you, and make them
strong and hearty.
The crowd then gave three rousing cheers, led by
Mr.. Douglass then eulogized Grant at length He
was brave soldier, bold statesman and good man.
He denied that he was surrounded by q
the people. No man was more accessible
to the people, except perhaps .aIn Abraham Lin;
Senator Wilson in the highest terms, and called
upon the audience to view his noble face, which he
fa'a IN order that hs vast assembsge IN
the daylight upon the countenance OF the next Vice
President Of the United states. Great applausel
which Mr.. Clements introduced Hon. Henry Wilson,
of Massachusetts.
Mr.. WILSON commenced by expressing his great
satisfaction at having the privilege of following
speech Of Fred Douglass upon the soil h Of m9,d
lifted in this country and in others on on
of liberty and Justice This representative
republican had, however, this day taken the stump
for the first time, and he had given utterance to
some great central thoughts which he lMr. WILSON,
needed only to enlarge upon. Mr.. Wilson then
earnestly invoked those present, and the % great
the support OF the republican party and Its great
leader, Ulysses $. Grant. Applause.l
is a party OF freedom and progress; It Is founded
upon the eternal principles OF truth. There is no
Which 'sS Chrs t man or woman could not 90 into
his or her closet and invoke the blessing OF God.
In God is our trust and truth is Our our
stand by that party, for it had given them free.
dom; 1t had insured them equal civil and political
rights, and upon 1t were based all their hopes OF
future enlightenment and prosperity. Nppause.l
But the white people also should stand by II, for "
was not the party OF race, color or class; II Was
designed to do all men good. For thirty
years the republicans OF the North have been
magned and abused, but now all do them
honor Their principles have now received the
endorsement Of all parties. The democrats, even,
have gone to Baltimore and done lip service to a
lifelong republican. But why should anybody
come into the republican party by such round
abont aud questionable routeS Why not come In
at the wide open door He that eptereth other,
appiause) The ranks OF the republican party were
not yet iull, though embracing
THREE MILLION AND HALF OF VOTERS.
The door is still open, and all good citizens WILL
ing to stand on It's platform are welcome TO its
fold. The Speaker then alluded to his Visit
u Nirulula tho inVltaIlnn