The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-03-25
RIGHT TO VOTE.

A correspondent having asked the Rev. DR.
Jeter OF this city, the Senior Editor of the
Religious Herald, his opinion as to the right
of negro members to vote in the Baptist
Church, receives in that paper of the 10Th
instant,-what all would expect from so judi
ciouS mind-a very judieious reply. 1t is
commended to the notice of those who wish to
read, mark, learn aud iDwardly digest the
wisest course of dealing with this subject We
intend to keep record of facts bearing upon
it, persuaded they must show that the minds
Of the best and soundest men in all branches
of the Church will more and more confirm the
policy of separate organizations.
We respect the views of good men among US
who may think otherwise, and such as we know
have the welfare of the negro at heart. We
have never written a word OF severe remark
concerning such. Hypocrites who keep at a
distance from all practical contact with the
matter and who are ever ready to 'bind bur
deus heavy to be borne upon other mems
shoulders, which they themselves will not
touch with one Of their fingers, require diff
ierent system of treatment. No extreme view
touching slavery while it existed, or the pres
eut condition of the negroes emancipated
among US has ever beset our mind But hav-
ing devoted to the subject, in all ITS bearings,
as much careful reflection as our mind is cana
HE OF bestovvinr, tho conclusion Il 6ssd "a ~
vor OF separate churches for the whites and the
blacks, wherever and as soon as circumstances
open the way. 1t is of course qualification
to find that this is evidently the point to which
the experience and influence OF the Baptist
Church lead-not only because it is the most
numerous in the South, and embraces many
men eminent for ripeness of judgment, but be-
cause it is. a Church which has always devoted
much labor among the negro population, and
has embraced an immense number of them in
its communion.
We speak of this letter of Dr. Jeter as con
6rmiug our views of the propriety of separate
churches, not that it does so expressly, but
virtually. For wherever, under their present
state, negroes are not permitted to vote in
churches of which they are members, they
will OF course withdraw, as soon as practicable
and form churches of their own. In this they
will act wisely. Separate churches is the
peaceful solution Of this difficult question,
around which enough troubles will gather,
whatever course is pursued. But weighing
every thing calmly and in the fear of God,
and with sincere aud life long desire for the
welfare Of these people, and without particle
Z .o.,,rN that bola class in the lanA 0r
other lands, whose chief interest in the negro
has been to steal or corrupt him, we are ready
TO say with Dr. Jeter, Every instinct of our
nature, and every interest of piety demands
the separation. 1t is better that negroes
should not vote in white churches, and that
whites should not vote in negro churches. -
The extract from the articlein the Religious
Herald is as follows:
In none of our churches, so far as we
know, are they permitted TO vote God, in
his wisdom aud goodness, has established an
essential difference between the white and ne
gro races, not merely 10 color, but In ten pera-
ment, tastes aud habits These differences
utterly unfit them for intimate social and reli.
giOus relations These differences God has
ordained, aud we should not endeavor to efface
them. They should not lead TO hostility, or
prevent the exercise of kindness between the
races. We, belonging 10 the more improved
class, should do what We can TO promote the
physical, intellectual and religious welfare of
the negroes; but we owe it to our race, our
history, our pOsterity. and TO civilization, to
maintain the purity of our blood, and to per
petuate the distinctions which have their
foundation in nature We shrink, with abso
Lutte adherence, from all approach to the
cowmingGng Of the two discOrdant races. We
think, therefore, that it is expedient, for the
welfare both Of the white and eolOred races,
that they should be organized into separate
and independent churches. There is no law
of Christ requiring an opposite course and
every instinct of our nature, and every interest
OF piety, demands the separation. 1t is better
that negroes should not vote in white church
eS, and that whites should not vote in negro
churches. By this course, and only by this
course, shall We avoid the rivalries and dis
cords that spring from the conflicting instincts,
tastes and interests OF the two races We give
it, therefore, as our settled opinion, that freed
men should not be permitted to vote in our
churches, but encouraged TO form separate
cburches-and that this course, while it vic
lateS no principle OF Christianity, will best Sc
cure the harmony and religious welfare Of
both races