The procession having arrived in Monument square where had been erected a stand for speakers, the invited guests and orators took their places thereon. But a small portion of the immense crowd could obtain positions to enable them to hear the speakers. The flags and banners carried in the procession were used to decorate the stand. As the meeting was about to be opened the platform of the stand fell to the ground and about twenty five persons who were upon it were thrown down, falling together towards the centre, where it first gave way. Fortunately no person was injured with the exception of a few, who sustained bruises and scratches. Considerable excitement prevailed for a time but as soon as it was announced to the people present that there was no one injured, they responded with a shout. The committees and their guests, the speakers and others present then changed their stand to the balcony of the Gilmor House, on the other side of the square, and the audience had only to turn their faces in that direction.

Dr J H Brown, master of ceremonies called the meeting to order, and proposed the following list of officers, who were elected.

President Isaac Myers Vice president C C Fulton, Judge H L Bond Samuel N Evans H C Hawkins Colonel Thomas H Gardner, John McGarigle, C R Gillingham , Hon John L Thomas, A Ward Handy, Samuel M Shoemaker, George Small, Hon Jno Lee Chapman John A Fernandis Edington Fulton Collins Cruor, Gen A W Denison, Wm McKim, John T Johnson, Wm H Brown Chas Cochrane, Robert Turner, J D Oliver, Dr A Rich G W Perkins and Cyrus N Diggs.

Secretaries – James H Hill, W E Matthews W F Taylor W H Woods, Wesley Howard, Matthew M Leery Cassius Mason, Major R R Petherbridge, Wm Galloway, Thomas Kelso, A K Fulton, James C Wheeden, J B Askew. Robert M Proud Evan Tubman, F Collins Smith, Wm E Hooper, John Henderson Jr, John W Socks, Richard Mason, Samuel Hitchens James Green Col G W Black Wm M Marine Capt V C S Eckert, George W Ban dell and A J Cairnes.

The president of the meeting Mr. Isaac Myers, was then introduced, who said he felt proud to have the honor of presiding over the greatest, grandest and most important gathering of colored men in Maryland or in the whole country. He felt thankful by Divine Providence for three things that. He had favored the occasion with sunshine instead of rain at the prospect of which their enemies had rejoiced, also that He had permitted us to live and see and rejoice in the privileges of this day. He thanked God that the stand did break down, for it taught them an important lesson, never to trust your enemies – That stand was put up by contract, and guaranteed to hold one hundred persons, and it would not hold twenty five men. Never trust a democrat, they will always cheat you. [The fact is the stand was erected by a republican.] He heartily welcomed their distinguished guests who had battled for them in the halls of Congress. When the colored men are called upon to vote, they can always be put down for the republican party.

He then read a letter from Charles Sumner, and also a long response from Wm. Lloyd Garrison, in reply to the invitation of the committee to be present.