Rev. Dr. Warren conducted the exercises as president of the occasion; and he did it with that ease, freedom, and regard for the rights and interests of all, which usually characterize his public and social conduct. He opened the proceedings, under a grove of trees in front of the house, with an appropriate prayer, and then called upon those appointed to take part.
Mr. Roundtree read the Declaration of Independence in a clear, emphatic, and impressive manner. It was listened to with becoming reverence for the great truths it contains, by both the white and colored races. It is quite improbable that these self-evident truths were ever expressed before publicly in this locality, and within hearing of every one within the “house that Jeff, built.”
When this place was first taken by our troops, the following verse was found written on the wall:—
“Let Lincoln send his forces here!
We’ll lick’em like blue blazes,
And send them yelping hack to where
They sung their nigger praises.”
Rev. Mr. Livermore, of Wisconsin, delivered an appropriate oration.
The meeting then adjourned for dinner.
A gentle shower at this time rendered the air cool and pleasant, but made it necessary to remove the dining-tables to the house.