11 o'clock
Postmaster Cook , while alive , was a member of the Imperium and his seat was now empty and draped in mourning . In the seat was a golden casket containing his heart , which had been raked from the burning embers on the morning following the night of the murderous assault . It was amid such surrounding as these that the already aroused and determined members of the Congress assembled . Promptly at 11 o'clock , Speaker Belton Piedmont took the chair . He rapped for order , and the chaplain offered a prayer , in which he invoked the blessings of God upon the negro race at the most important crisis in its history . Word was sent , by proper committee , across the campus informing the president that Congress was in session awaiting his further pleasure . According to custom , the president came in person to orally deliver his message .