Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-11-14

races, or different parties, or that there had
ever been other social relations than those
now existing, from what | saw and heard
there. The streets were thronged by a
grateful people. From the windows of the
best residences the President received
warm welcome. The warehouses were
draped with the American flag in honor of
his presence. The colored population, who
-weYe also represented in the military escort,
followed the procession in crowds, and
eagerly sought the hand of the President
and that of Mrs Hayes, expressing in most
earnest terms their thanks for an era of good
feeling, in which they were delighted to
share. This feeling was everywhere mani
fest. The colored people shouted it in the
streets the girls sang it in the tobacco
factories the great assembly called together
pressed it in word and act. A poor man
walking by the carriage in which was riding
Mrs. Hayes and Mr.. Evarts, pointed to
the spirited and beautiful equestrian statue
of Washington, and said "There is the
statue of the greatest man who ever lived;
but the man who has given MS this day is
entitled to Que hundred times grander."
An old confederate army surgeon gave me
most graphic account of the condition of
Richmond and its hospitals during the war,
and of the trials which fell upon the wasted
city in the early years of peace and he re-
ioiced, without complaining of the past, that
all classes of the people could enjoy their
possessions and protect each other in we'll
ordered, peaceful town. A cultivated lawyer
remarked to me that Washington had been
further from Richmond than Japan for fif-
teen years and now he rejoiced that the
chasm was closed up. When ! asked the
reason of this sudden change of feeling in
ministraton of President Hayes, events
which had their parallel in the withdrawal
of troops from Mississippi and Arkansas
and the appointment of Longstreet and Orr
to high Office under the administration of
President Grant, out of which no feeling of
reconciliation had grown, | could get no
more definite reply than that the pear was
not ripe" In fact the state of popular feel
ing was looked upon by all who witnessed
it as one of those remarkable political phe-
lomena whose causes are not entirely within
human control. The political consequences
If all this were hardly discussed. The ex-
sting facts seemed to be satisfactory to
democrats and Republicans alike, 50 far as
| could ascertain, and the incalcuahle bene-
fits of the policy to the material prosperity
and popular elevation of Virginia appeared
to outweigh all political considerations in
the minds of those who considered thought
fully the existing state of affairs. often
heard the political future of the negro dis.
cussed, and always with full recognition
of his rights under the constitution, and
often with the assurance that he would man
fest Just as much sagacity in exercising the
right of suffrage as the white man. Per-
maps may properly state that have warmly
ldvocated all measures calculated to protect
the freedman in the rights secured to him
by the war, and have witnessed with grave
apprehension, not only now, but on many
former occasions, the adoption of any policy
which might possibly leave him unprotected
Without any change in my desires for his
welfare, and with the firmest belief that
sacred obligation rests upon the country to
see that he shall enjoy all the rights Of cit
izenship under the amended constitution, |
state what | saw and heard respecting him
while | was in Richmond, without under
taking to say how permanent or widespread
this state of things may be,
The demonstration at the fair grounds
was as impressive aud significant as that
within the city. The assembly which gath
cred to hear the speech of the President was
'i.s imposing as any have ever witnessed.
On the balcony from which he spoke he was
surrounded by many of the leading men of
Virginia, including the governor, the of
cers of the Agricultural Society, many in
huential citizens from various parts of the
Union. and those of the Cabinet who ac-
companied him. A large and intelligent
crowd stood in front of the stand, extending
rs far as the voice could reach and by those
Tound him and by the audience below there
was warm response to every sentiment of
DUAL rights, justice aud humanity. The
,uggestions made by the President bearing
| lpon the preservation of peace and concord
and touching the material prosperity of the
tate, suggestions which, by the way, no re.
| we're received with keen appreciation and
/ with enthusiasm by no means common to
agricultural audiences. The pacifcatory
ntierances of Mr. Evarts, the practical truths
set forth by Mr.. Sherman, the sharp appeals
/ # Mr.. Thompson, and the eloquent recital OF
the relations existing between Virginia and
Massachusetts by General Devens, were all
received in the heartiest manner; and my
avn discussion of the peculiar character OF
he American system of land-holding, with
the civil rights and opportunities which &C
with it, met with a most cordial approval
from those 10 whom it was addressed
Neither in the speakers nor in the audience
was there any reservation with regard to the
topics to which have alluded. The toni
of the meeting was entirely in harmony will
the best and most liberal aud humane senti
ments of the times. The assembly ma,
have been divided on other questions, bu
not on these.
have stated as accurately as possible
what | saw and heard during my trip t.
Richmond, because | think the people o
this country are entitled to know enough o
each other TO secure mutual respect, esteem
aud confidence wherever they can be in
spired. | have not discussed political re
suits, about which | have very decided
opinions, because | think they are subordi
nate to the great questions of peace AM
prosperity, and the establishment of societ
and the state upon the foundations of "equa
aud exact justice to all men," popular edu
cation and universal popular rights. Whethe
the state of affairs in Virginia means thi'
those can Judge who saw.
CONGRESS will be asked 10 appropriat
, one hundred and twenty-five thousand do
1 lars for the erection in Washington of