The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-08-24

THE CoLoRED BAPTIST CONVENTIONAL
WurE MINISTER INTRODUCES PoLIrIcs,
AND r. Observation-Disclosures TO TIE SPEECH.
Up to Wednesday last the proceedings OF
the Colored Baptist Convention were unin-
tcrrupted by the introduction of anything
of sectional secular, or political nature.
Nor would it then have occurred, we be-
lieye, had it not been for the appearance
upon the stage of one Reverend Florence
Mccarthy, white man, who took occasion
to throw q political bombshell in Ebenezer
Church: which, however, failed signally in
its intended effect. 1t has been custom
In the Convention to invite white visitors
TO speak, and on Wednesday Mr.. Mccarthy
was introduced by the Secretary as /" the
only loval minister south of the Potomac -;
which, VIC understand, is the signature
he has been in the habit Of using
in his slanderous letters to the northern
press. He at once arose, and commenced
a speech in favor of the equality Of the
negro with the white man. The fact, nc
said, that man was black should make
no difference in his social standing; he
could denounce a man for wickedneSs, but
not on account of his color; he considered
the negro his social and political equal ;
that he should be allowed to vote, and
that when this was brought about he in
tended to become a candidate for Con-
gress. This, he said, was his platform, and
he intended to live and die by it, though
he thought the chances were more in favor
Of his dying than living by it. His senti-
ments were we'll known, and he asked no
favors of the white people among whom he
lived.
After Mccarthy had finished his TRADE,
the members of the Convention seemed
struck with amazcment. Many of them
appeared pleased, but there was no de-
monstration of applause, and in fact no
one seemed disposed to back him up in his
sentiments.
The Rev. DR.. Jetcr, of this city, being in
attendance, made brief reply. He said
that he considered himself as good friend
of the colorcd race as the gentleman who
had just taken his seat that in the course
Of his ministratons he had baptized one
thousand colored persons, and one of the
leading purposes Of his life had been to
attend to their religious training. He re-
grcttcd that any political subject had been
introduced here, for its effect could not be
otherwise than pcrnicious, and he trusted
that no member of the Convention would
he led away by remarks such as they had
just heard.
Considerable applause followed Dr..
Jctcr's little speech, and the President
remarked that no member of the Convcn-
ton had yet brought forward a political
sentiment ; that it was then done by q
white man, who was the first to break the
rule laid down by the Convention at the
outset.
The Rev. A. Z. Dickinson, of Richmond,
then arose and expressed his hearty APP
proval of the remarks Of DR.. Jeter. He
had recently visited six Baptist associa-
tonS, and lie could say that one Of the
principal subjects which engaged the attcn-
ton of these bodies was the proper religious
education of the colored race. Mr.. Dickin-
son gave some sound practical advice to
the Convention, which was well received.
After the adjournment, several colorcd
persons came up and offered their hearty
congratulations to DR.. Jeter, and told him
he had spoken nothing but the truth.
The Rev. Florence Mccarthy was n
chaplain in the Confederate army, and up
to the time of the evacuation of Richmond
was q sccessionist in sentiment. Soon
afterwards he commenced toadying to the
North, though he stated publicly here that
his object was to "make something out OF
the Yankees He was rewarded by an
appointment, from the Home Mission So
ciety Of New York, at fifty dollars per
month, as pastor of church on Oregon
Hill, which he still holds. He has not for
some time past been held in much regard
by the Baptists of Virginia; and at the
meeting of the Baptist General Associa-
ton in June last he was excluded from
membership in their Boards and if the
foregoing speech had been made prior to
that meeting, would doubtless have been
denied membership in the body. His re-
cent writings and speeches show that he
has cast his lot among the agitators, where
for the present We will leave him.