The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-08-17
LOCAL : MATTERS.


LOCAL MATTERS.
THE OLD CHURCH, AGAIN.
Another Chapter OF "Reminiscences.
INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES OF MEN WHO
HAVE SPOKEN IN THE EcHURCH-HoW THE
SOUTHERN HEART WAS FIRED THERE
THE CHURCH USED AS A RECEPTACLE
FOR TIE DEAD WHEN THE OLD THEATRE
WAS BURNED-THE FIRST CONFEDERATE
FLAG IN THE BUHDIEG-NED BUNTLdNEs
THUNDER-pERsoNAL, &C., &C. a..ysl
/. -i.ts 5.,,.4.!,s ---7-7 - fisi} tirfsYSS
Our article on yesterday in relation to the
Old African church has recalled the reml-
riscences Of all Of our oldest inhabitants.
So intimately associated with the history OF
our city is this venerable building that a
good-sized book could be written full Of in
teresting incidents. A hypocritical evening
/, contemporary has called US to task as to the
facts Of Mr.. Webster's and Mr.. Clay's speak
ing in the church, and also as to Ole Bulbs
playing there. We stand corrected as to
Webster, Clay, and Jenny Lind, but we are
almost positive that Ole Bull has played in
the old church. We are not like some other
people, however, and do not set up our
opinions or impressions against those Of the
world. AS to the sentence about the per-
formance OF Paul Julien on one string we
have only to say, with Artemus Ward, "This
is q Coax" although we insist that the writer
heard Julien play the Carnival of Venice on
one string within the walls of the African
church some time after the Declaration of
Independence was signed. We append
some additional notes as to the history of
the church.
THE STARS AND BARS IN THE CHURCH.
Many middle-aged citizens-and we say it
respectfully-willw weep at the demolition OF
their former fayorite old loafng place, but
it is to-day pretty far gone. Before closing
this notice one other Confederate incident
must be told. When the war was about
fairly commenced number OF persons from
the Cockade city came over to Richmond,
and headed by General Roger A. Pryor,
they went to the old church, where an inn
provised meeting was held. The church
was soon thronged. The Petersburgers
had the "stars and bars" at the head OF
their column, and this was probably the first
occasion upon which the Confederate flag
was displayed in Richmond. 1t was upon
that memorable night that Pryor fairly fired
the Southern heart with his great speech.
Many persons who bitterly opposed even the
thought OF war, were changed in sentiment,
and the meeting soon became one OF the wild
est enthusiasm. John Minor Bolts was hold
ing forth the same night at the old Metropol-
itan Hall, and it was upon that occasion that
Mr.. Bolts predicted in his speech what af-
forwards came true concerning thewar.
NED BUNTLISE.
The reputation OF many local orators was
formed in the African church. Colonel
Marmaduke johnson and Colonel Thomas
p. August frequently spoke there. But
what we started to write was that E. z. G..
Judson alias Ned Buntline thundered in the
old church in behalf OF the American Order,
which was the prelude to the "Know-No- O.
things" KS. ..-.
. A NOTABLE SCENE.
1t was during the time that the entire
country was interested in the trial OF that
much-abused gentleman who was but rep
resentative of a much-abused people, Mr..
jefferson Davis, that scene was enacted in
this church that was characteristic of the
perilous state of affairs that then existed.
A riot took place on the basin bank during
trial OF steamers between the Washington
Hose Company, Of Wilmington, Del, and
the Richmond fire companies. Much bitter
feeling ensued upon the riot, and on the
same night one Zedekiah X. Haywood,
from Boston, said to large audience as.
sembled:
"You have shown in this afternoons dis.
turbance bravery such as I have not seen
euualled even by our boys from MasSachu-
setts, who came down here to fight for you.
But be not too hasty. Wait until your
white friends, such as Judge Underwood
and myself, get out OF the way, and then
hold high carnival and kill whom you
please" ".,......... ......
This speech was reported in full by &
Dispatch representative, who was on the
next day sent for by General Schofield. He
made affidavit rs to the correctness OF the
report; whereupon the general had Hay.
ward arrested. The negroes Of our city
were thereupon aroused to an extent suci
as we have never seen before. Hayward
was arrested on Saturday night and bailed
for his appearance on Monday. On Sun
day, while our white citizens did not dream
of ANYTHING wrong, the African churches
were in q state of fermentation, and men
women, and children went home from theil
houses OF worship, swearing
VENGEANCE AGAINST EVERYTHING WHITE.
So great was the excitement that Genera
Schofeld sent for Horace Greeley and Ger
rit Smith, and asked them to quiet the ne
groes, in view OF their great influence witt
them. They went to the church, after hay
ling called a meeting, and told the coiorec
people very plainly that General schofieit
! had told them that unless, they, die
4 as the white people had done, ant
I Would retire to their homes, he would
plant his cannon on the streets ant
i rake them. Both Mr.. Greeley and DIR
1 Smith impressed this fact upon. their hear
4 ers, and it was, received with such expires
sions as "Horace Greeley amt no, true Re
publican, no how Gerrit Smith ain nc
better, ,neither"s Their words had agooC
effect, however, and Mr.. Greeley afterware
' lremarked: g must, indeed, pity these poor
people. They are Of good heart, and could
be SO easily controlled by men Of the Tigh
J Sort, buf they are now 'agitated by q set OF
scoundrels who are preaching to them suct
foolish doctrine as that Of confscatiop
Confiscation would bring more OF them tc
their graves than to their homesteads." !" y
OTHER ANECDOTES.
gentleman referring to the anecdote O.
MIR. Riyes, published yesterday in the &C
count of the old African ehurch, remarked
to the writer that ne was at the cnurcl
shortly after Mr. RiYes's address was q de
livered, and heard Colonel George WFthe
Munford make q speech without MS notes
and it came near proving as serious q mis
hap to that distinguished Virginia gentie
man as Mr.. Rives's did to him. :. ,f.i
n ~ x,nII- -