Return of the Commissioners — serenade and speeches.
As soon as it became known, yesterday evening, that
Ex-President Tyler and
Hon. James A. Seddon had returned from
Washington, arrangements were made for giving them a serenade; and accordingly, between eight and nine o'clock, the First Regiment Band appeared in front of the
Exchange Hotel, where a crowd of thousands had assembled, and played ‘"Sweet Home."’ and other appropriate airs.
Mr. Tyler, responding to the call of the multitude, came forward and made a speech, in which he said their mission had resulted in nothing which could give any hope to the
South.
The report adopted by the Conference was a miserable, rickety affair, which afforded no guarantees of safety or security, and was not worthy of acceptance.
Mr. Seddon next addressed the throng.
He gave the report of the Peace Conference a most thorough sifting, and denounced it as a delusion and a sham — an insult and an offence to the
South.
Yet he thought if the
Commissioners had been more strongly backed up by public sentiment at home — had there been exhibited a positive determination to have ample security for the future or secede at once —
Virginia could have got all she wanted.
Neither of the distinguished gentlemen entered into a full exposition of their views, choosing, properly, to reserve them for a more appropriate occasion.
There were loud calls for
Ex-Gov. Wise, but he did not make his appearance.
Lieut. Gov. Montague was called out, and made a strong secession speech.
The band next proceeded to the
Spotswood Hotel, where another serenade was given, and speeches were made by
Messrs. Sheffey of
Smythe Morton, of
Orange, and perhaps others.
