The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-09-25

NIsHr--JoHS AMRLER SMiTH's SPEECH Re.
vIEwED.---A mass meeting of the Radicals oil
Je1ersan Ward was held last night, under
the auspices OF the ward club, In the old
Academy Of Music, on FraRklin street. The
hall was well filed, though not crowded
1t was given out that q great many who
would have attended were prevented from
doing so by false reports and repres eutations
put afioat by the adisorganizers." Mr..
Benjamin Bragg occupied the chair and con.
Quoted the proceedings In an orderly and
1 decorons manner, though 1t was out of his
power to keep perfect quiet for colored
brethren were holding some sort of religious
exercises next door, or In the near neightor.
hood, and their fouorous voices whilst sing.
| ing filled the academy; strangely mingling
with the less pious utterances of the SPEAK.
ers.
Mr. Bragg introduced the orators Of the
occasion to the audience, and the first one to
be presented was Captain Thomas P. Jack
son, deputy collector of customs for this
port. His remarks were chiefly directed to
| the current political topics of the day. He,
however, warned the colored men to be-
ware of the propositions to amend the State
Constitution, being satisfied it would not
rebound to their good. Referring to the
amendments suggested by the Legislative
Committee, which lately, met at Orkney
Springs, he placed bis emphatic condemna.
tion upon the return to the oiua voce system
of voting, and upon the poll-tax as prere.
quisite to voting. His tone was quite mode
rate, but dealt with subjects far above the
comprehension of majority of bis hearers.
Mr. Samuel F. Maddox, Senator from the
Chesterfield district, and chairman of the
new District Committee, next occupied the
stage. He devoted his attention almost en-
| tirely to the troubles now dividing his party;
vindicated the action Of the Convention Of
| the 10th of September ;criticised the conduct
of Humphreys District Committee; incl
dentally complmented Burgess, and con.
cluded with hopeful view Of the situation,
and an appeal for perfect harmony.
Mr. George NJ. Arnold (eolored), of North
Carolina, was called for, and was promptly
brought forward by the chairman. He is
| one OF the best of the orators of his race, and
speaks with care and considerable correct
ness and force. Something derogatory to
bis character, said by Lewis Lindsey in his
Assembly llspeech Wednesday night, had
been repeated to him, and he was very in.
dignant thereat. He declared that Lindsey
was ga disgruntled, no account, political
humbug," aud a disgrace to his party and to
his color. Furthermore, he intimated that
should he come in personal contact with the
offender, there would be something more
than mere bandying Of offensive epithets.
With the exception Of Mr. Arnold's alG.
sons to Lindsey, his speech was quite dign:s
fed and conciliatory.
Colonel John r. Popham was now intro.
duced; he forewarned the crowd that he did
not intend to make speech, as he proposed
to pay bis respects to Hou. John Amber
Smith at Assembly Hall tomorrow (Satur-
day. night. He characterized Smiths game
as "beads win, tails you loose" and closed
bis few pithy and patriotic remarks by sort
Of general invitation TO all those present who
wanted to see "the Boy Congressman used
up to attend bis demonstration.
Hon. Lucirls II. Chandler followed Col"-
mel Popham and was as fluent and felicitous
as usual. He deprecated the sentiments of
Mr.. Smith in relation to carpet-baggers, and
thought that the sweeping denunciations in.
dulged in by him were calculated to offend
all northern settlers. What was needed in
this district was harmony and conciIiation,
and be proceeded to advise how they could
best he obtained. In concluding, he told one
of bis spiciest jokes in a style that raised
much applause.
Mr.. kush Burgess succeeded Mr.. Chan
dler in the occupancy Of the stage. For a
few minutes be addressed himself to the
general questions now receiving attention
from politicians, but soon drifted into the
consideration of the matters at issue between
him and Smith. He said that be was at AS
sembly Halt during Mr.. Smiths speech, and
heard all of bis filthy abuse Of him, but it
fo ;lod to rorlSe his anger or resentment Iu-
stead of that it excited his pity; he was in
deed sorry to see young man, whom he
had known since he was three year old
boy, giving himself up to such unworthy
work. He (Burgess) came with bis father to
Dinwiddie county when he was but ten
years of age, and when good.sized boy at
tended school in Dinwiddie where Smith
learned his A. 3. CPS.
MIR. Burgess went on to discuss the mat.
ter, and wheu he had finished Major w. F..
Worthington. assistant district attorney for
the United States, made a spirited little
speech Oh the same side.