The National tribune., 1899-07-27

nu8dleu atlu SuDuuti. llO S5tRAAAS Nt'' Hf
then. and the final result was considered
a mere matter of time.
Just here propose to describe, briefly,
dramatic scene that was enacted at the
African Church, so known because 1t had
belonged to the slaves sometime before.
Brother Jasper. of "the Sun do move
fame, was grand high priest, but was not
so generally known then as at somewhat
later period. Now the dramatic scene
was performed by many players
"Ah the worlds a stage, and in time men
play many parts, having their entrances
and exits" etc. Mr.. Bolts announced that
he would address the mechanics and other
Union men of Richmond on the state OF the
country and the Union at the African
Church.
JOHN MINOR BOTTS'S SPEECH.
The Secesh populace and press howled.
much as children do when they are threat
ened with the bad man" The church
was packed to the doors with determined
men pledged to protect Mr.. Bolts from
insult or arrest. The speech OF Mr. Bolts
was an awful arraignment OF the Secession
leaders and their cause HIS glowing
tribute to the Constitution and the Union
was never surpassed by any orator III
America and doubt very much If 1t was
ever equaled, not excepting even the great
speech delivered by Daniel Webster i'll Con-
gress Just previous To the passage OF the
Modification act by South Carolina, long
ago. Il
eloauence by Mr.. Bolts, accompanied by
tremendous applause, an indiscreet Seces-
sioliSt present hiSSed very audlbly two or
three times. when 20 or 80 stout, loyal hands
threw him out of thehous through thedoor,
thus violently exposing him and his Secs
t,t tl,aT tor ar,ap
"as comets run" went the news, and in a
few moments appeared the volunteer mill
tary company known as the "Richmond
Blues" commanded by o. Jennings Wise,
the oldest son of Henry A. Wise. OF Nlr-
ginia The Blues. with Capt. Wise at
their head. entered the church without cere-
mony, and rapidly took position to the lett
of the door they had entered, protecting
their rear by forming their line with the
backs of the men against the wall. MI.
Bolts looking sternly upon Wise and his
soldiers, halted his speech, when cries OF
go on: we will protect you" i" from nearly ali
the persons in the house fairly shook the
House of God.
Mr.. Bolts, presenting an appearance OF
calm fearleSSnesS, like a lion at bay. SAID:
"Friends. see what these people want"
committee Immediately approached Capt.
Wise and demanded his business abruptly:
Wise replied that he had come by order OF
the authorities to keep the peace and pre-
vent disorder. The committee replied that
they were entirely competent to perform
that duty. But Wise did not retire, and
cries went up for Mr.. Bolts to 60 on; we
will protect YOU
Mr. Bolts went on and fairly emptied the
vials of his wrath upon the heads OF the
Secession leaders and uron Wise person
ally, and his people. even advancing to the
end of the platform. shaking his finger at
Wise defiantly. Wise turned pale, then
red: and filed his men rapidly to the right
out of the house, through the portals, and
was gone. a mighty cheer from the
audience. then Mr.. Bolts gradually con-
cluded his last public speech for the Union.
A strong armed committee escorted him
safely to his home. Lucifer's angels had
been hurled from the church.
STATE GUARDS.
Now l must entertain the reader regard
ing the Secession Convention and Mr..
Wiley'S last speech in Mechanics Hall.
AS Mr.. Wiley concluded his great speech
for the Union great shout of approval
went up from the Union men in the gallery,
when President Janney, in a violent man
ner, ordered the Sergeant-at-ArmS 10 clear
the gallery" The Sergeant appeared and
ordered lis ont. No one noticed him, when
he seized a man near us. A fight ensued,
when a brawny blacksmith and a little
reporter-Hughes by name, l think
promptly knocked the Sergeant-at-Arms
over several benches and people, and he
fell with duh thud, indeed, to us-a clas-
steal expression.
We thea retired, and in front of the door
was drawn up the State Guard, at shoulder
arms" They had been summoned in a
hurry, certainly. We all passed in front
of their very faces, thus calmly reviewing
Iucifer's armed angels. Not word was
uttered by any one as We marched past
their front. After passing the State Guard
and reaching Main Street, near by, all Of
fka TT,,Sn Ia tlxt
none of US was arrested, or an attempt in
that direction made.
At that period. however. the Union senti-
ment was very strong and outSpoken, and
doubtless, the real cause of their failure to
arrest US was due to the fact, or apprehen-
sion. rather, that a riot might be precipi-
tated thereby damaging their reputation
or moderation and fair play; but, for that
matter | shall never know. no, never now
any part Of their reputation ever could be
damaged-I never heard of a decayed egg
being damaged.
People from many points rapidly assem-
bled in the vicinity OF Mechanics Hall,
but after indulging in some derisive re-
marks concerning the convention. the State
Guard gradually departed. During the
excitemelt in the gallery, referred to above,
the greatest agitation existed on the floor
of the-cOaYeation, members rushing hither
and thither, violently gesticulating and
shouting for order" Gentlemen may cry
out for peace, but there is no peace
Passing out | observed the graceful
figure of WiG5y, of West Virginia. standing
gazing thoughtfully at the gallery and the
UniolistS who were departing. Janney.
poor Old creature, yelled and used his gavel
to no purpose Carlisle, of West Virginia.
seemed by his actions to be protesting
against the action of President Janney in
ordering the galleries to be cleared.
THE NAT TURNER INSURRECTIoN.
The State Guard" referred to above
was organized and established by an act
of the Legislature OF Virginia many years
before, just after the Nat Turner negro
insurrection in Southampton County. about
the year 1881 or 1892, when some Is or 20
white families were killed; and while on
this raid, rs it might be termed, the negroes
seized such firearms, axes, etc, as were
serviceable to them; also, ammunition in
considerable quantities.
While boy. my family told me many
incidents OF that horrible affair. The
farmhouse, Prospect HilI," in Nanse-
mond County, where | was born, was not
more than II or Is miles distant from the
scene of the slave uprising. My father,
being Captain of the Militia of Nansemond
County, soon appeared upon the scene and
had quite Il Skirmish with the negroes who
however, rapidly retired after firing several
yoileys at the Militia at long range. The
negroes being driven back. my father re-
turned to his home to quiet the apprehen-
sions of his young wife and observe the
situation in that neighborhood.
My mother, in later years. told me the
story OF my fathers hasty return as follows.
My mother was the daughter of q we'll