This time I am in Richmond as the guest of the coloured people of
the city; and came at their request to deliver an address last night
to both races in the Academy of Music, the largest and finest audience
room in the city. This was the first time that the coloured people
had ever been permitted to use this hall. The day before I came, the
City Council passed a vote to attend the meeting in a body to hear me
speak. The state Legislature, including the House of Delegates and
the Senate, also passed a unaminous vote to attend in a body. In the
presence of hundreds of coloured people, many distinguished white
citizens, the City Council, the state Legislature, and state
officials, I delivered my message, which was one of hope and cheer;
and from the bottom of my heart I thanked both races for this welcome
back to the state that gave me birth.
[End.]
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