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.
