Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-04-17
Colored Conference Visits the Presi
don't

REv. ME. JOHNSON RLocUESTLY sPEAKs OF
WHAT GEN. GRANT HAS DONE FOR THE COT
ORED PEoPLE-THE PRESIDENTS REILLY,
AND HIS VIEWS ON CIVIL RIGHTS.
The me mbers of the Baltimore Annual Con-
ference OF the African NJ. r. Church, now in
session in this city, visited the White House at
noon to-day 10 pay their respects 10 the Presi-
dent. They were hended by Bishop wsymln,
Iresiding officer of the conference, and the
secretary, Rev. j. II. A. johnson. The mem
beTs, about SIXTY in number, having formed
line in the East Room, President Grant soon
entered, and the Bishop and Rev. Mr.. johnson
having been introduced, the latter addressed
the President as follows
REV. Mr.. oHNsoN's ADDRESS.
Mr. Presideni; We are pleased with the opp)T-
tunity afforded us TO extend TO you our friendly
greetings. We come, as members of the Bati-
more Annual Conference of the Africa Ia Metho
DIST Episcopal Church OF the United States OF
America, to represent unto you, sir, the un-
feigned regards of this denomination for you a.
our most excellent CHIEF Magistrate. Sir, We
are here to- day as citizens LOYAL TO the hag and
as Christians true 10 the best interests OF the
church, TO thank God in your presence for your
services, which were instrumental in efiectually
clt airing the way for the advancement OF our
hedeemers kingdom among our brethren, who
were 10y slavery kept in spiritual darkness. Sir,
there Is no denomination that more extensively
realizes the benefit of your achievements in es
tablishing the supremacy of the general govern
ment than the one represented by Us. Where
we once had not a member, now we have our
tens of thousands, and your administration
has been so purely characterized with dis
position tor peace, that our church there
fourishes and wields powerful influence for
the good of the nation. This, too, has been
measurably accomplished by your wisdom aud
competency manifested by your fOrbearance
and reticence under the most trying circum
stances. But, Mr.. President, the Church OF
Christ is firm in the belief that the s'pewers
which be" must be sustained by Him who or
dams them. Your humble servants therefor,
as part OF THIS great institution, come 10 ey-
press the prayerful desire that great govern
ment-our illustriOus republic, may in this m an-
ner be sustained during all administrations; and
that you whose image, like Mr.. Lincoln's, In ust
be stamped on every loyal heart. may under
your serious responsibilities be blessed in your
person, and in your family, and in your exscu-
tive capacity, and finally, at a ripe old age in
the dominion beyond the skies.
PRESIDENT GRANTS REPLY.
The President replied, saying that no one
except themselves could be more gratiiied than
he was that four millions of persons who had
been held in bondage and disposed OF as chat
worship God as they thought proper, and thai
civil rights for all were fast becoming recog-
nized throughout the land. 1t may be some
little time before they enjoyed all the right
which belong to citizens, but that day is surely
coming, and he hoped il might come speedily
In conclusion, he thanked them for this call
and for the expression of their good will.
The members were then individually intro
duced TO the President, and the conference
shortly afterwards returned to the church.