Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-01-23

Y. NJ. c. A.
ADDRESS BY GEN. GEO. D. JOHNSTON OF ALA
BA1fA ON THE Putty OF LABoRING FOR THE
SPIRITUAL WELFARE OF THE CoLoRED PEG
PIE
A large and intelligent audience assembled
in the Lecture Room Of the First Presbyterian
Church last Friday night to listen to an ad-
dress announced to be delivered by Gen. G. D.
Johnston. OF Alabama, on the subject of work
among the colored people Of the South. The
attention of the audience was marked. The
subject was admirably handled, and the evil
dent earnestness of the speaker seemed to i'm
press ali present.
At the outset this earnestly eloquent man,
who has consecrated hinselfto this work, en-
listed the sympathy OF his hearers, by declar-
ing that outside Of the one great principle
which led him TO appaar as the advocate of this
great cause, he had stood and now stands in the
front rank of the most pronounced men of the
south, in his opinions en- all matters touching
the relations OF the white and colored races.
But in the light of principle newly born with
| in him and lately developed into activity, by
efforts in the evangelical christian work Of the
day, he thanked his God that he lad been able
to look at this question in the light ofdsinter-
to ourselves; duty to the race in our midst, and
dependent upon US; and duty to God.
DiscIaiming any intention, in any way, to
bring into this subject anything like party pol
tiles, Gen Johnston declared it as his opinion,
with emphatic earnestness that the people OF
the South, and especially christian people in
the South, could not and should not shut their
eyes to the fact tnat the colored people in the
Southern States are clothed with every politi-
cal and civil right guaranteed to citizens under
the Constitution and laws, and while this Is so
-irreyocably soft was the duty, aye, the
| right and privilege Of every citizen, to elevate
these people and prepare them TO exercise for
| the common good, the great responsibilities, SO
suddenly laid upon them. In order to accom-
plish this most desirable object the white peo-
pie should ever remember the adverse circum-
stances under which the colored race now Ia
! Dor, in consequence of their long continued
| condition Of slavery their utter deprivation for
more than one hundred years of every thing
calculated to ennoble and advance them as q
race and the many injurious influences to
which they had been subjected since they had
conferred upon them the right of citizenship.
In enforcing the second line of thought-duty
| to the race-the speaker reminded his audience
of the fact-too lightly thought of-that all that
the South possessed of material wealth was the
result of the labor ofte eolored people. In glow
ing language did he confirm tbs universal testi-
mony as given by all classes Of our people, of the
unwavering fidelity of the colored people during
their long servitude, both before and during the
war-psaeranapled in the history of any people
which must ever stand as monument OF
praise to them, and should call for the liveliesi
interest of our entire people liz their behalf.
Gen. Johnston has been appointed by the
Executive Committee of the international AS
ISOLATION of Y. NJ. c. A. to visit all the Associa-
lions in the South and make known to them
the urgent necessity of active work among ouI
colored population. Here was missionary
field which we could not overlook, furnished us
jim the providence of God, and his command
: was, go We and work in my vineyard,
White he wouldnot say anything or do any.
thing to take from our Foreign missionary
work, its support and its laborers. yet the South
erners should remember that it is vain to SEND
men and means to Africa, while we had Africa
| at our very doors-in our very households; thai
we could not expect God to bless our efforts III
Foreign lands while we neglected the work CIV
| en- us at home.
| The whole subject is one which addresses IL
self to the very best portion of every commune
ty. and one which should be no longer neglected.
! w e nave tileSc young COlOiSO iAOA eAo nOiASA
| in orr households, growing up with our chill
dren, exercising an influence which must be
felt in some direction. Is it not, then, our
highest duty to enlighten tneaal, 10 teach them
every thing that will make them better men
| and wemen-better citiZens-nore capable OF
rendering intelligent service in any sphere OF
| life to which they may be called?
This lecture furnished much food for thought,
and we trust that our people will think Of the
points and facts presented, and take such &C
ton as may successfully carry out the objects
and plan Of the mission.
After the close OF the lecture, the following
resolutions offered by Capt. T. c. Morton were
adopted
"That this Association has heard with inter
| est and profit the stirring appeal made by our
| brother from Alabama, Gen. q. ID. Johnston, Tor
| the spiritual enlightenment OF the coicred peo-
| pie in the South, and that we pronounce our
selves fully in accord with the spirit OF his mis-
| sion.
.'That committee composed of one froa
| each denomination repreSented1n this Assocla-
| ton be appointed by the President, whose duty
it shall be TO inquire into the condition or the
| coiored people in our midst, and ascertain II
there be a way open fOr us to labor amongst
| them, and, if SO, how, and that said committee
shall report the result OF their Investigations al
our next meeting"
Now, let the Christian people in our city take
prompt action, and carry out the spirit Of these
resolutions with determined energy and activ-
ity and with enlightened Christian charity.
!